Supa Story #3: The Seven Key Steps of Story Structure.

Let’s Talk Story Structure…

It is the framework that holds your narrative together. If the Big Idea is the heart of your story, structure is the skeleton that supports it. Whether you are aiming for a feature film or a short story, structure is the key to keeping your audience engaged.

I love how John Truby puts it succinctly:

While the popular Three-Act Structure provides a broad framework, it often falls short when you dive into the intricate details that make stories truly compelling. Stories are built in layers, and a more nuanced approach is needed to reflect that depth.

Enter John Truby’s Seven Key Steps of Story Structure, which provide a clearer and more organic way to build your story from the ground up.

Please note that we reference well-known “global classics” because we are confident you’ve likely seen them, making it easier for you to grasp the lessons right away.

Here are the Seven Key Steps of Story Structure:

1. Weakness and Need

Every protagonist has a weakness, a flaw, or a gap in their character. The story is about their journey to overcome this weakness and fill that gap. The "Need" is what the character must achieve to fix themselves emotionally or morally by the end of the story.

Example: In The Lion King (1994), Simba’s weakness is his guilt and self-doubt after his father’s death, manipulated by Scar into thinking he's to blame. His need is to reclaim his true place as king and face his responsibilities instead of running from them.

2. Desire

Desire drives the external journey. It’s what the character wants throughout the story — the goal they’re trying to achieve. Desire is often confused with need, but it’s important to note that while the desire is external, the need is internal.

Example: In Finding Nemo (2003), Marlin’s desire is to find and rescue his son, Nemo. This external goal drives the plot, but Marlin’s internal journey (need) is learning to trust Nemo’s abilities and let go of his overprotectiveness.

3. Opponent

A compelling story needs a strong opponent, someone (or something) that stands in the way of the character achieving their desire. The opponent forces the character to evolve and confront their weaknesses.

Example: In The Dark Knight (2008), Joker is the perfect opponent for Batman. While Batman tries to maintain order and justice, Joker seeks chaos and moral corruption, challenging Batman’s ethical boundaries and forcing him to question his own limits.

4. Plan

A great story involves the character formulating a plan to achieve their desire. This plan often evolves throughout the story as new obstacles (conflicts) and revelations come into play.

Example: In Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Danny Ocean and his crew meticulously plan to rob three casinos simultaneously. As the story progresses, we see how each new obstacle forces them to adapt their plan, keeping the audience engaged in the heist.

5. Battle

This is the moment of high stakes and conflict — where the character and the opponent clash. It’s the test of everything the character has learned so far, and how well they've grown.

Example: In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), the battle between Harry and Voldemort is the climactic confrontation. Harry's willingness to sacrifice himself contrasts with Voldemort's fear of death, showing the growth in Harry’s character.

6. Self-Revelation

After the battle, the protagonist undergoes a self-revelation, realising something profound about themselves. This is where the internal journey (Need) converges with the external one (Desire). It’s a moment of truth.

Example: In Toy Story (1995), Woody realises he doesn’t need to be Andy’s only favourite toy to have value. This self-revelation allows him to embrace Buzz Lightyear as a friend and share his place in Andy’s heart.

7. New Equilibrium

With the revelation comes a new balance or stability in the character's life. The protagonist has changed — they’re no longer the same person they were at the beginning of the story. And your audience feels this transformation deeply.

Example: In Black Panther (2018), T’Challa, after defeating Killmonger and understanding his viewpoint, chooses to open Wakanda to the world. The new equilibrium is his decision to embrace leadership in a more inclusive way, bridging tradition with progress.

These seven steps provide the backbone for any strong story, allowing you to create a narrative that is both structured and emotionally resonant. So, the next time you sit down to write, ask yourself: “What’s my protagonist’s weakness? What do they desire? Who or what is standing in their way?” Let these questions guide your process.

Exercise…

Now that you have the Seven Key Steps of Story Structure, it’s time to apply them. This week, take the story idea you’ve been working on and sketch out each of the seven steps. Try to get clear on your protagonist’s weakness, the first desire, and the changes they go through during the story.

Bonus: Watch one of the movies mentioned above and identify these steps as they unfold.

Next Week: Building Unforgettable Characters

I’ll leave you with this:

It allows you to build your Big Idea into something cohesive, engaging, and unforgettable.

Do you have a question about structure or any writing hurdles you’re facing? Just hit reply, and let’s talk!

Yours-in-Storytelling,
Ayobola Eniola,
For Emerge Story Company.

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