Crisis Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is the Story Crisis?
The Crisis of a UNIT OF STORY is a binary, this-or-that, choice that arises out of the TURNING POINT. We reach the Crisis when all of the protagonist’s attempts to go back to the way things were before the INCITING INCIDENT have failed.
The Crisis is what forces the protagonist to change and reveals their true character. Every Crisis must pose a real choice between incompatible options with meaningful stakes. It is the point in the UNIT OF STORY when the reader becomes invested in the story and builds narrative drive.
Rules for the Crisis
- Incompatible Options
- Meaningful Stakes
Rule 1. Incompatible Options
The choice the protagonist faces must be between two mutually exclusive options. By choosing option A, the protagonist completely forgoes option B and vice versa. No matter what the AVATAR chooses, they are giving up something.
When the choice between option A and B is made (the CLIMAX), the reader sees the protagonist’s true character.
Rule 2. Meaningful Stakes
The choice the protagonist faces must matter. It must be a hard decision for the protagonist to make, otherwise it will slow down the NARRATIVE DRIVE and cause the reader to lose interest. It must also be a choice that is hard to go back on. Throughout the story, the stakes of the crisis must build.
Categories of Story Crisis
- Best Bad Choice
- Irreconcilable Goods
Category 1. Best Bad Choice
A best bad choice crisis forces the protagonist to choose between two negative options. This type of crisis illustrates what the protagonist is willing to endure to get their desired outcome. A best bad choice crisis increases narrative drive because the reader feels anxiety about the risks the protagonist faces when they emerge from the crisis and take a course of action.
Category 2. Irreconcilable Goods
An irreconcilable goods crisis forces the protagonist to choose between two incompatible positive options. The choice is often between something that is good for the self or good for others. It can also highlight the choice between the protagonist’s want and need. An irreconcilable goods choice crisis increases narrative drive because the reader feels excitement about the results the protagonist faces when they emerge from the crisis and take a course of action.
Problem Spaces in a Crisis
- Prioritization
- Optimization
Problem Space 1. Prioritization
A prioritization crisis presents two competing values to the protagonist. For instance, a character may have to chose between moving towards safety or moving towards truth. In the CLIMAX, we see which value is most important to the protagonist.
Problem Space 2. Optimization
An optimization crisis presents a choice within a single value. For instance, a detective may have to choose between arresting a criminal or exacting revenge. Both of these options are about the value of justice. In the CLIMAX, we see how the protagonist chooses to move towards the value at stake.
Analyzing the Story Crisis
Best Bad Choice or Irreconcilable Goods?
What are the protagonist’s options?
What is at stake?
Best Bad Choice or Irreconcilable Goods?
Determine how the crisis is defined. Explain whether it is a choice between bad options or good options. Does it force the protagonist to accept negative consequences? Or do they need to decide between something that is good for the self and something that is good for others?
What are the protagonist’s options?
Outline the protagonist’s options. Look for specific text that tells you the different options the protagonist recognizes in the situation. Ensure the protagonist can choose only one of the options.
What is at stake?
Explain the stakes for each option available in the crisis. Delineate the cost, benefit, and risk for each course of action. This will illustrate the problem space the protagonist navigates as they consider the crisis choice.
