- Inciting Incident: An unexpected event that kicks off the story.
- Progressive Complications: Series of conflicts escalating to a turning point.
- Turning Point: Main conflict forcing a crisis decision.
- Crisis: A dilemma leading to a climactic action.
- Climax: Direct action taken in response to the crisis.
- Resolution: Outcome of the action showing change.
Macro Analysis of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone:
- Inciting Incident: Harry learns he’s a wizard and about his past.
- Turning Point: Realization that Voldemort is in the Forbidden Forest.
- Crisis: Deciding whether to confront Voldemort.
- Climax: Harry confronts Voldemort alone.
- Resolution: Voldemort is temporarily defeated.
Quadrants in Story Structure:
- Beginning Hook:
- Establishes status quo and inciting incident.
- Harry’s objective: Avoid trouble and be a normal kid.
- Conflict: The arrival of the Hogwarts letter.
- Crisis: Should Harry stay with the Dursleys or venture into the unknown with Hagrid?
- Climax: Harry decides to go with Hagrid.
- Resolution: Harry enters the Wizarding World.
- Middle Build Up:
- Harry’s objective: Understand his place at Hogwarts.
- Inciting Incident: Harry’s scar hurts when seeing Snape.
- Turning Point: Harry and Ron see Snape heading to the third floor.
- Crisis: Should Harry spy on Snape or rescue Hermione from the troll?
- Climax: Harry does nothing, but later his broom is jinxed.
- Resolution: Harry suspects Snape.
- Middle Breakdown:
- Harry’s objective: Figure out what Nicholas Flamel has to do with the package.
- Inciting Incident: Harry and friends discover who Nicholas Flamel is.
- Turning Point: They get detention and lose points for helping Hagrid.
- Crisis: Should Harry tell Dumbledore about Snape or stay quiet?
- Climax: Harry stays quiet but later sees Voldemort drinking Unicorn blood.
- Resolution: The kids assume Snape is helping Voldemort.
- Ending Payoff:
- Harry’s objective: Prevent Snape from getting the Sorcerer’s Stone.
- Inciting Incident: Dumbledore leaves Hogwarts.
- Turning Point: Only enough potion for one to face Snape/Voldemort.
- Crisis: Should Harry continue alone to face Snape/Voldemort or turn back?
- Climax: Harry continues alone and confronts Quirrell/Voldemort.
- Resolution: Voldemort is temporarily defeated, and Harry saves the stone.
Practical Insights:
- Character Decisions: Highlight the protagonist’s internal and external conflicts.
- Building Tension: Escalate stakes progressively through complications.
- Theme and Controlling Idea: Ensure your story’s message is clear and resonates throughout.
- Scene Analysis: Map out key scenes to ensure they align with the global story arc.
By studying the structure of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” writers can learn to craft stories that engage readers through well-structured plots, compelling character arcs, and consistent thematic elements.