Plot Lines, Character Arcs, and Narrative Arcs

Plot lines, character arcs, and narrative arcs are elements of the dramatic structure in storytelling. The plot of a story is like the main thread that reveals the unfolding of events.  The secondary thread in the fabric of a novel is a subplot, often call the “B” plot. The “B” or subplot intersects the main plot, either through the protagonist or secondary characters with linkage through time, place, or theme.

 

Pyramid of Dramatic Structure

The A plot and B plot can both have the dramatic story structure: Exposition. Rising action. Climax. Falling action. Denoument. It is often in the “A” plot line where you’ll find the character arc of the protagonist as he or she must acquire new skills to deal directly with the antagonistic elements or individuals in his/her environment as the story unfolds. But the “B” plot is different from the main plot line often because the protagonist is dealing with a personal fault or problem secondary to the “A” plot. Still, he or she must gain new awareness, skills, inner growth tools, and the like and will experience a character arc as a result of the “B” plot.

 

Secondary Character Arc

Not only does the protagonist’s character arc, but it is also possible for a secondary character to have an arc as well. The change can be profound in the inner life of a character. Narrative arcs and story arcs are often pictured as a half circle dome.

 

In a three-act structure film or novel, the main plot starts the main character through setting him in an environment as the story begins. Then comes the inciting incident or something that the protagonist must confront that starts the story’s momentum and carries the plot forward to the next (often more dramatic) incident.

 

First Turning Point

In a three-act structure, this opening with the second incident would be noted as the first turning point of the story. It is this first sequence of plot that sets up the drama’s story question; that story question is the one that gets answered in the climax of the book or film.

 

Start of the Character Arc

It is in the second act, that the character arc begins to evolve. When the protagonist tries to resolve the problem of that first turning point, it makes things worse and he must learn new skills or acquire new knowledge to deal with the worsening problem or situation. This profound change in the protagonist happens along plot line A, usually late in the second act.

 

Narrative Arc

Armed with knowledge or skills, but changed, the protagonist’s story reaches a climax in the third act with the rising action hitting its highest dramatic point (the climax) and then falling (resolution of problem and story question answered), followed by the denouement which completes the narrative arc of the story. The character experiences a higher level of self awareness but this does not mean the character arc is complete as the character can continue to evolve in the next novel or film sequel or story. This is the secret of storytellers: keep the beloved character evolving to keep readers wanting more of that character.