Screenplay Structure
- nixwordnix
- Feb 21
- 2 min read
I am quoting this excellent text about screenplay structure because, although it's a bit technical and involves words that are hard to remember (unlike your screenplay, right? :) I think it's interesting.
I hope you find it interesting, too.
The Fichtean Curve is a narrative structure that uses rising action, a climax, and falling action to create a story. It's a simple, yet effective way to build tension and conflict, and is often used in mystery, thriller, and action stories.
Elements of the Fichtean Curve
Inciting incident
The event that starts the story and introduces the main conflict.
Rising action
The majority of the story, where tension builds, and the protagonist faces a series of crises.
Climax
The pinnacle of the story, where the protagonist confronts their most difficult obstacle, and the main conflict is resolved.
Falling action
The resolution of loose ends, where the theme is emphasized and the impact on the hero is shown.
How it's used
The Fichtean Curve is designed to keep readers engaged by gradually increasing tension and providing intermittent moments of intense action or emotion.
The structure is simple and direct, so it can be used to quickly get to the point and start the story
The Fichtean Curve is often used in commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, and fantasy stories.
Who created it?
John Gardner first used the Fichtean Curve in his 1983 book The Art of Fiction
Gardner named it after Johann Gottlieb Fichte, a German philosopher who developed the dialectic method.
The Freytag Pyramid has five stages that Freytag organized into five acts:
Act one: Exposition
Act two: Rising Action
Act three: Climax
Act four: Falling Action
Act five: Resolution or Catastrophe
What Are the Seven Elements of Freytag's Pyramid?
In addition to the five stages listed above, many modern-day constructions of Freytag's work will add two additional elements, resulting in seven overall:
Exposition
Inciting Incident
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution or Catastrophe
Denouement
Together these make up the seven elements of Freytag's Pyramid, as postulated by modern analyses.
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