The story arch refers to the chronological plot construction in a novel or story. As a rule, it looks like a pyramid, consisting of the following components: exposure, ascending effect, culmination, decaying effect and denouement. It is not uncommon for authors to use one arch in another so that viewers do not get bored waiting for the finale.
Structure and meaning
Most of the stories are divided into long or short. The story arch can specify the characters, secondary or main, revealing them from the opposite side.
In order to interest the audience, the story must have five elements and adhere to them. They should serve the general theme and subject of the arch, and not be superfluous or seem too simple.
Short stories are usually used to maintain interest in the character and the sharpness of the narrative when the situation is contrary to the worldview of the other hero. Difficulties only increase the feeling of tension and uncertainty. Thanks to them, it is difficult to predict what will happen in the denouement, since the narrative leaves the predictable.
Story Arch: Five Stages of a Quality Story
The exposition is the beginning of the story where characters are introduced, they become acquainted with them, and the situation is described in detail. In other words, the ground is being prepared for a full story. Usually includes answers to questions: who? Where? and when? Sometimes at this stage a major conflict occurs or a problem arises between the characters, which helps to promote the future storytelling.
Rising action - a series of events is added that complicates the situation for the main character, and also increases the growth of uncertainty or tension in the story. The stage may serve to develop a conflict between the characters or the public environment. Most importantly, it contains a series of surprises or difficulties that the protagonist must respond to.
The climax is the point of greatest tension or a turning point in the story arch from the ascending to descending stage. The characters are deeply involved in the conflict. Often the main character must find a way out of a critical situation, which will guide his future actions at the climax.
Converging action - events unfold in the narrative immediately after climax. A voltage appears leading to resolution. The stage can show how the characters have changed due to conflict. They are capable of unexpected actions or complete inaction.
The denouement is the end of the story arch, in which all problems are solved. The finale does not have to be happy.
Classic application
The chronology of the story applies to almost all works, including literature, films, series, or animes. As an example of a story arch, you can use the "Little Red Riding Hood" by H. H. Anderson.
At the exposition, the reader learns that the girl lives in a village near the forest and goes to visit her grandmother with a basket of goodies. She promises not to leave the path and not to talk with strangers.
Nevertheless, in the upward action, the girl lounges and enters into a dialogue with the wolf, forgetting about the promise, telling where she is going. After hearing the details, the wolf moves along a short path through the forest and eats his grandmother, and then pretends to be.
The culmination moment confronts Little Red Riding Hood with a wolf. In a hopeless situation, she calls for help.
At the descending stage, the villain is defeated, and hunters save the grandmother.
In denouement, the girl realizes that she did wrong. This helped her learn a life lesson.
Lines in the vast Bleach universe
The famous Japanese anime, released since 2004 and ending in 2012, has 16 seasons and many additional short stories within the plot. The peculiarity of this anime is that some of the arches burst into the most unexpected moments, completely detaching from the main story. The main character - Ichigo Kurosaki - discovers the ability to see ghosts and communicate with them and can resist evil spirits - Empty.
The ascending stage unfolds when the character meets an unexpected guest. The petite woman is no less surprised as she is a reaper. So the cult story begins.
However, the additional story arches of Bleach are vast. It is they who dilute the main line, not allowing to get bored. For example, Ichigo gets his unique abilities of the Soul Reaper, reveals the details of the past lives of other characters. The hero gets new skills, faces difficult decisions and gets into amazing stories. So, the scriptwriters involuntarily leave the path, revealing the familiar from other sides.
Adventures with Van Pease
The general plot of this anime, long recognized as one of the best in the history of Japan, is easy to follow and understand the direction. In addition to being simple, it follows all stages of development, it contains many branches. Initially, “Van Peace” begins rather slowly and is not attractive for lovers of complex turns and complicated stories. Nevertheless, the feature of the popular anime is the constant quality of the plot, in which it not only maintains a certain level, but also improves with each line.
It all starts with how Luffy, the main character of the universe, was able to convince teammates to join him in pirate adventures, where they will meet not only with other pirates, but also with their own demons.
The secondary story arches of "Van Pease" are selected so as to confront the characters with problems. For example, the Fishman Island branch told the audience a tragic story about racism. The dynamic arch of Water 7 draws on a journey resembling a roller coaster.