Pretty much any well-structured story, whether it's a mystery or a romance, has a beginning to introduce the elements, a middle where the plot develops, and an end to bring closure. Take classic stories like 'Romeo and Juliet' as an example.
A lot of fictional stories, like fairy tales and adventure novels, have these three distinct parts. The beginning sets up the characters and the situation, the middle builds the tension and conflict, and the end resolves everything.
Most traditional narratives have a clear beginning, middle, and end. For example, novels and feature films usually follow this structure.
The beginning has to grab the reader's attention. It often starts with an interesting event or a description that makes you want to know more. For instance, 'Once upon a time' is a classic start for fairy tales. The middle is where the story unfolds. There are events that build on each other and lead to a climax. In a thriller, the middle is full of suspense and danger. The end should leave the reader satisfied. It can be a happy, sad or thought - provoking ending. In a dystopian story, the end might show the future of the society after all the events have occurred.
In a fairytale, the beginning often starts with 'Once upon a time' and presents a world with a character in a particular situation, say a poor girl living with her stepmother. The middle part is full of events that test the character, like the girl facing tasks set by her stepmother. The end is the happy or sad conclusion. In this case, it could be the girl marrying a prince and living happily ever after, which is the typical fairytale end.
In the beginning, it's important to have a hook. This could be a mystery or an exciting event. In the middle, there should be a progression of the plot. For instance, if it's a fantasy story, the hero might gain new powers or face stronger enemies. At the end, there should be a satisfying conclusion. The hero defeats the big bad and restores peace to the kingdom.
The beginning needs to set the stage. It might include the time, place, and the initial situation. The middle is about complications. It could be a conflict between characters or a struggle against nature. The end should provide closure. For instance, in a coming - of - age story, the beginning shows the innocent state of the protagonist, the middle has the challenges that force the character to grow, and the end shows how the character has changed.
In the beginning, a strong introduction. Maybe a problem or a goal. In a superhero story, it could be a city in danger. The middle is about the journey to solve the problem or reach the goal. The superhero battles villains. The end is the solution or achievement. The city is saved.
One tip for finding the beginning is to look for the part that first introduces the setting or the main character's situation. For the middle, focus on the events that build up the story's conflict. And for the end, it's usually when the conflict is resolved. For instance, in a detective story, the beginning might be the discovery of the crime. The middle is the detective's investigation, and the end is when the culprit is caught.
In the beginning, the key element is the setup. It makes the reader understand what the story is about. In the middle, it's the conflict. Without conflict, the story is dull. And in the end, it's the resolution that satisfies the reader. For example, in a fairy tale, the beginning sets the magical world, the middle has the hero facing a dragon (conflict), and the end has the hero defeating the dragon and living happily ever after (resolution).
In the beginning, it's the setup. It gives basic information. In the middle, it's the struggle. In a love story, it could be the couple facing problems. At the end, it's the resolution. The couple might get married.
For the beginning of a story, the key elements include grabbing the reader's attention, perhaps with a vivid description or an exciting event, and introducing the basic framework of the story such as who the main characters are and where the story is taking place. In the middle, the most important element is the development of the plot and the characters. This could involve the characters facing challenges, making difficult decisions, or experiencing growth. The conflict should be at its peak here. In the end, we need to see the resolution of the conflict. It could be a complete resolution where all the problems are solved, or a partial one that still leaves room for the reader to think. Also, the end might give a sense of the future for the characters, leaving the reader with a feeling of satisfaction or at least closure.
The percentages can vary greatly depending on the type of story. For a short, punchy story, the beginning could be 20% to quickly draw you in. The middle, which is the heart of the story, might be 60%. It contains all the key events that drive the plot forward. The end, around 20%, is where the story reaches its climax and then comes to a satisfying conclusion.