How to Write a Screenplay Using the Five-act Structure and Five Plot Points

Why use a 5-act template–or any kind of formula–to help write a screenplay?

Firstly, it provides a clear and easy template to follow; a way to break the action of your story into sections that’s useful regardless of whether you’re a novice or professional writer.

A further twist on this template is to figure out the five plot points of the story and apply one to each of the acts. Identifying the tentpole scenes or sequences makes it a whole lot easier to fill in the gaps in between that lead to those moments.

The process might sound a bit too “formulaic” to writers who like to wing it–just start to write a screenplay and see where the story takes them. But rather than a strict set of rules to follow, this structured approach offers a guideline on how to shape your story, give it momentum, and deliver a satisfying emotional journey to the audience.

Why is that important? Because without a sense of progression, your story will invariably feel flat to the viewer, leading to a loss of interest. And the number one rule of writing for an audience? Don’t be boring.

Throughout history, many narratives have followed the five-act template. It has its origins in Aristotle’s Poetics and can be found in Shakespeare’s dramas.

But it was the German playwright and novelist Gustav Freytag who formally wrote of this structure in his book Technique of Drama, published in 1863. This came to be known as Freytag’s pyramid, which outlined five narrative arcs in stories. Freytag saw this as following a triangular shape, with the rising action culminating in the climax of the story (the top of the triangle). 

Gustav Freytag's pyramid on story structure.

 Can it be applied to both film and TV writing?

There are certainly differences between the writing of a feature film and TV episode–in particular regarding the final act. In a film, the fifth or last act is the resolution of what has come before. In an episode of TV, there’s an expectation (and a need) to end on a cliff-hanger or open-question which will prompt the viewer to watch the next instalment.

Explanation of the five-act structure (five plot points below).

Act I: The Set Up

This is where you establish the elements of the story and set things in motion. It’s usually where the main characters are introduced and we get a sense of what the central conflict or dramatic question of the film or series is.

Act II: Build to Climax

The conflict or stakes are increased here as the characters attempt to achieve a goal. The action is building or rising towards the climax in act three.  

Act III: The Climax

Some kind of climax in the action is reached; it’s a moment where the conflict reaches a peak in a major scene (the mid-point, plot point 3). Gustav Freytag considered the third act a turning point, where something crucial changes and forces the action to move in a different direction.

Act IV: Final Suspense

This is described as containing falling action, with events leading to a resolution in the final act. But that doesn’t mean the action cannot peak again. Even Freytag emphasized that there’s a need to feel some kind of “final suspense” in the fourth act when expectations can be upended.  

Act V: The Resolution

In a feature film, the final act brings a form of resolution. Loose ends, in a Hollywood-type film, are tied up. In a TV episode, this might mean resolution to one story question (especially if there’s a story-of-the-week element), but open questions should remain that compel the audience to wonder what happens next.

How to write a screenplay or TV script using five plot points (using Ballad of a Small Player as an example).

Although the five-act structure can help give your story its overall shape, it’s also worthwhile thinking about your five major plot-points before you start planning your outline or get stuck into writing the actual script. By identifying these key moments, it will ensure your story–like a train stopping at various stations–is transporting your audience on an entertaining journey.

1. The inciting incident (Act I):

This is the catalyst or disruption in the status quo that kicks off the action of the film or episode. Its function is to introduce the main narrative question or driver of the story and presents an opportunity or challenge for the protagonist.  

Lord Doyle is told to pay up his huge hotel bill or face prosecution.

2. Plot Point I / Point of No Return or Change of Plans (End of Act I/Start of Act II):

Our main character decides to commit to the journey. It involves crossing a threshold which means there’s no turning back to the old life or way of doing things.

Lord Doyle/Reilly meets Dao Ming who might offer him a way out of his predicament but she mysteriously disappears overnight.

3. The Midpoint (Act III):

Usually found dead in the middle of a film or episode, this represents the central dilemma at the heart of your story where some kind of major change takes place. It might be a reversal of fortune, a new situation that the protagonist has to deal with, or a moral dilemma which offers a choice that will change everything irreversibly.  

Reilly hits rock-bottom and is faced with a moral dilemma at the midpoint of the film.

4. Plot Point II / Major Setback (End of Act III/Act IV):

This is often called the "All is Lost" moment. Our hero experiences a major setback, emotional loss or realization or that will lead to the high-stakes, final climax moment.

Reilly places all his winnings on one high-stakes bet and comes to a realisation about Dao Ming.

5. The Final Climax / Confrontation (Act V):

The final confrontation where the greatest threat is faced. In a feature, the main narrative question will be resolved successfully or catastrophically, depending on the genre. In a TV episode, however, things should end with a cliffhanger moment that generates an even greater question or dilemma.

Reilly burns all the money in the fire at the temple.

Story Inkubator was founded by writer, scriptwriter and teacher, Kristina Jilly, an Australian living in Central Europe who's written for HBO Europe and RTL Television. She has an M.A. in Screenwriting and teaches at the University of Applied Sciences in Austria. Kristina also writes online content about the art of storytelling and topics that inspire creativity. 

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