8.3 Creating and Escalating Conflict Throughout the Story
5 min read•august 6, 2024
Conflict is the lifeblood of any good story. It keeps readers hooked and characters on their toes. By building tension, , and throwing obstacles in your 's path, you create a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Plot points and turning points are your secret weapons for shaping the story. They move things forward and keep the audience guessing. As you build to the , pace yourself. Mix high-stakes action with quieter moments to keep readers engaged until the very end.
Building Conflict
Escalating the Story Through Rising Action
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- Rising action propels the story forward by introducing a series of events that build upon each other, leading to the climax
- Stakes are raised as the story progresses, making the consequences of failure more significant for the protagonist (losing a loved one, facing financial ruin)
- Tension is gradually increased through the rising action, keeping the audience engaged and invested in the story's outcome
- Obstacles are placed in the protagonist's path, challenging them and forcing them to overcome adversity to achieve their (a rival competing for the same job, a natural disaster blocking their way)
- Complications arise from the protagonist's attempts to overcome obstacles, adding depth and complexity to the story (a plan backfires, a new problem emerges from the solution to an earlier issue)
Creating Compelling Conflict Through Stakes and Tension
- High stakes make the conflict more compelling by giving the protagonist a strong motivation to succeed and making the consequences of failure more impactful (the fate of the world hangs in the balance, the protagonist's life is on the line)
- Tension is created by the uncertainty of the outcome and the protagonist's struggle to overcome the obstacles in their path
- The audience's emotional investment in the characters and their journey heightens the tension, as they become more engaged with the story (rooting for the underdog, fearing for the protagonist's safety)
- Tension can be increased through the use of suspense, keeping the audience guessing about what will happen next (a ticking clock, a looming threat)
- The interplay between the protagonist's internal conflicts (self-doubt, moral dilemmas) and external conflicts (antagonists, physical challenges) adds depth and complexity to the tension in the story
Structuring Conflict
Using Plot Points and Turning Points to Shape the Story
- Plot points are significant events that move the story forward and alter the direction of the narrative (the , the midpoint, the climax)
- Turning points are moments of major change or revelation that shift the story's trajectory and raise the stakes (a shocking , a game-changing discovery)
- The placement and timing of plot points and turning points are crucial to maintaining the story's pacing and keeping the audience engaged
- The first plot point (the inciting incident) sets the story in motion and introduces the main conflict (the protagonist loses their job, a mysterious stranger arrives in town)
- The midpoint is a major turning point that raises the stakes and propels the story towards the climax (the protagonist uncovers a critical piece of information, a new obstacle emerges)
Maintaining Engaging Pacing and Building to a Satisfying Climax
- Pacing refers to the speed and rhythm at which the story unfolds, balancing moments of tension and conflict with periods of rest and reflection
- Effective pacing keeps the audience engaged by alternating between high-stakes action and quieter, character-driven scenes (a heart-pounding chase followed by a moment of introspection)
- The climax is the story's highest point of tension and conflict, where the protagonist faces their greatest challenge and the outcome is determined (the final battle, the big reveal)
- The events leading up to the climax should build in intensity and stakes, creating a sense of anticipation and urgency (the protagonist's allies are captured, time is running out)
- A satisfying climax resolves the main conflict in a way that feels earned and true to the story's themes and characters (the protagonist overcomes their fears, the truth is finally revealed)
Resolving Conflict
Bringing the Story to a Close Through Conflict Resolution
- Conflict resolution occurs after the climax, when the dust settles and the story's central conflict is resolved (the villain is defeated, the protagonist achieves their goal)
- The resolution should address the story's main themes and character arcs, providing a sense of closure and satisfaction for the audience (the protagonist learns a valuable lesson, a broken relationship is mended)
- The resolution can be positive (a happy ending), negative (a tragic conclusion), or a mix of both (bittersweet victory), depending on the story's tone and themes
- A well-crafted resolution ties up loose ends and answers lingering questions, leaving the audience with a sense of completeness (the mystery is solved, the character's fate is revealed)
- The resolution should be proportionate to the story's scope and stakes, avoiding a sense of anticlimax or oversimplification (a global conflict can't be solved too easily, a personal journey shouldn't end abruptly)
Tying Up Loose Ends and Providing Closure in the Resolution
- The resolution is an opportunity to address subplots and secondary conflicts that were introduced throughout the story (a romantic subplot is resolved, a character's personal growth arc is completed)
- Loose ends should be tied up in a way that feels organic and satisfying, rather than forced or contrived (a seemingly unimportant detail from earlier in the story takes on new significance)
- The resolution can provide closure for the characters, showing how they have changed or grown as a result of their experiences (the protagonist makes peace with their past, a strained relationship is repaired)
- The resolution can also hint at future possibilities or unresolved issues, leaving room for interpretation or sequel potential (a new challenge arises, a character sets off on a new journey)
- A strong resolution leaves the audience with a lasting impression and a sense of emotional fulfillment, making the journey they've taken with the characters feel worthwhile (a bittersweet ending that resonates, a triumphant moment of personal growth)
Key Terms to Review (18)
Antagonist: An antagonist is a character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and driving the narrative forward. The antagonist's motivations and actions challenge the protagonist's goals, making them crucial to the story's development. This opposition is essential for character growth and escalating tension throughout the screenplay.
Betrayal: Betrayal refers to the act of breaking trust or confidence in someone, often leading to significant emotional pain and conflict. In storytelling, it serves as a powerful catalyst that can escalate drama and tension, revealing the fragility of relationships and pushing characters into difficult situations. Betrayal often acts as a pivotal moment that drives the narrative forward and deepens character development by exposing vulnerabilities and motivations.
Climax: The climax is the point in a story where the tension reaches its highest peak, leading to a turning point that determines the outcome of the plot. It often serves as the moment of greatest emotional intensity, where the protagonist faces their main conflict and must make crucial decisions that will affect the resolution of their journey. This pivotal moment is essential in the three-act structure, scene purpose, conflict dynamics, storytelling techniques, and various narrative formats.
Denouement: Denouement refers to the final resolution or outcome of a story, where the plot strands are brought together and the conflicts are resolved. This phase provides closure for the audience, revealing the consequences of the story's climax and how characters are affected by the events that unfolded.
Desire: Desire is a powerful driving force that motivates characters to pursue specific goals or outcomes throughout a narrative. It serves as the catalyst for action, propelling characters into conflict and shaping their decisions. The strength and complexity of desire often lead to heightened stakes and emotional investment in the story, impacting both character development and plot progression.
Dramatic Irony: Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters do, creating a sense of tension or humor. This technique allows for deeper engagement with the story, as viewers anticipate how characters will react when they eventually discover the truth, making it especially effective in revealing conflict and character development.
External Conflict: External conflict refers to the struggle between a character and an outside force, which can include other characters, society, nature, or technology. This type of conflict is crucial in driving the plot forward and helps to create tension and drama in a story, allowing audiences to engage deeply with the characters' challenges.
Flashback: A flashback is a narrative technique that interrupts the chronological flow of a story to present events that occurred at an earlier time. This device is often used to provide background information, deepen character development, or enhance the emotional stakes of the current narrative. Flashbacks are crucial for revealing motivations and conflicts, making them an essential element in storytelling.
Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a literary technique used to give hints or clues about events that will occur later in the story. It helps create anticipation in the audience and sets the stage for future developments, making the eventual outcomes feel more inevitable and satisfying.
Goal: In storytelling, a goal refers to the specific objective or desire that drives a character's actions and decisions throughout the narrative. It is essential for creating relatable protagonists and antagonists, as it gives them purpose and direction. A well-defined goal helps structure scenes effectively, escalates conflict, and can be succinctly captured in compelling loglines that hook the audience.
Inciting Incident: The inciting incident is a pivotal moment in a story that sets the main plot in motion by introducing the central conflict. This event typically disrupts the status quo and forces the protagonist to take action, establishing a sense of urgency and leading into the primary narrative arc.
Internal Conflict: Internal conflict refers to the psychological struggle within a character, often arising from competing desires, beliefs, or emotions. This type of conflict is crucial for creating depth in characters and driving the narrative forward, as it often influences a character's decisions and actions throughout the story.
Protagonist: The protagonist is the main character in a story, often facing challenges that drive the plot forward. This character typically experiences personal growth or change, making them relatable and engaging to the audience. They are usually at the center of conflict and are essential to the emotional journey of the narrative.
Raising stakes: Raising stakes refers to the technique of increasing the tension and urgency in a story by making the consequences of a character's actions more severe or impactful. This strategy is essential for maintaining audience engagement and driving character development, as it pushes characters to confront greater challenges and make more significant choices throughout the narrative.
Redemption: Redemption refers to the process of atonement for past mistakes or wrongdoings, often resulting in personal growth or transformation. It is a powerful narrative device used in storytelling to illustrate characters' journeys from despair or moral failure to hope and reconciliation. This theme often plays out through conflicts and obstacles, leading characters to confront their flaws and make choices that ultimately lead them toward a fulfilling resolution.
Subtext: Subtext refers to the underlying meaning or implied ideas behind the spoken dialogue or actions in a screenplay, often conveying emotions, thoughts, or motivations that are not explicitly stated. It enriches storytelling by allowing characters to express more than what they say directly, adding depth to interactions and situations.
Tension building: Tension building refers to the process of creating and increasing suspense or anxiety in a story, making audiences feel a heightened sense of anticipation about what will happen next. This technique is crucial for maintaining engagement, as it propels characters into conflict and drives the narrative forward. By layering obstacles and confrontations, writers can keep viewers invested in the outcome, leading to more impactful moments when resolutions occur.
Three-Act Structure: The three-act structure is a narrative framework that divides a story into three distinct sections: setup, confrontation, and resolution. This structure helps screenwriters organize their plots and develop character arcs while creating a compelling emotional journey for the audience.