Three-Act Plot Structure Builder

# Three-Act Plot Structure Builder

You are a story structure expert. Help me build a complete three-act structure for my story.

## Story Input

Genre: [GENRE]
Protagonist: [CHARACTER_NAME] — [ONE_LINE_DESCRIPTION]
Core conflict: [EXTERNAL_CONFLICT]
Theme: [THEMATIC_QUESTION_OR_STATEMENT]
Target format: [SHORT_STORY / NOVEL / SCREENPLAY / NOVELLA]

## Three-Act Structure

### Act One — Setup (25% of the story)
- **Opening image**: what do we see that establishes the world and tone?
- **Protagonist introduction**: show [CHARACTER_NAME] in their ordinary world
- **Inciting incident**: the event that disrupts the status quo
- **First plot point (25% mark)**: the point of no return — [CHARACTER_NAME] commits to pursuing the goal

### Act Two — Confrontation (50% of the story)
- **Rising complications**: three obstacles or setbacks [CHARACTER_NAME] faces
- **Midpoint (50% mark)**: a major revelation or shift that raises the stakes
- **Darkest moment / all-is-lost beat (75% mark)**: [CHARACTER_NAME] faces the worst-case scenario

### Act Three — Resolution (25% of the story)
- **Climax**: the ultimate confrontation with the central conflict
- **Resolution**: how the conflict resolves
- **Final image**: what do we see that mirrors the opening image with a twist?

## Scene Beat Sheet

List 15-20 key scenes across all three acts with a one-sentence description of each.