Story: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of Story, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
Stories follow principles
McKee, a famous screenwriting teacher, argues that great stories follow deep principles rather than formulas.
He teaches how story structure works in films and other forms. In his view, a well-built story comes from understanding human choices and conflict.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
Every scene changes something
McKee argues that each scene should turn a value in a character's life, such as from hope to despair.
A scene where nothing changes, he says, is not doing its job.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
An incident sets the story going
McKee describes the inciting incident, the event that upsets the balance of the protagonist's life and launches the story.
In his view, a strong inciting event forces the character to take action, because the old way of living no longer works.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
Complications build pressure
McKee explains progressive complications, events that make the protagonist's struggle harder step by step.
In his account, each new obstacle must demand more of the character, so the audience feels the pressure grow.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
The climax brings change
McKee describes how stories rise to a crisis, a climax and a resolution.
In his account, the final turn is where the character's deepest choice is revealed and the story's meaning becomes clear.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
Plots take different shapes
McKee describes archplot, the classic structure; miniplot, more minimal; and antiplot, which breaks rules.
In his account, each form suits a different kind of story and audience. He argues that writers should understand the traditions before choosing to bend or break them.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
Pressure reveals character
McKee argues that true character is revealed by the choices people make under pressure.
In his account, what a person says or looks like can mislead, but what they do when something important is at stake shows who they really are.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
Gaps create drama
McKee describes the gap between what a character expects and what actually happens.
In his view, such a gap forces the character to think and act again, which creates surprise and keeps the audience engaged.
Get one idea like this every daySwipe through ideas, go deeper on any of them, and save the ones that matter. Free.
Read Story in the app