Revolution Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is a Story Resolution?
The story resolution shows the results of the protagonist’s decision in the CLIMAX. It is where the reader learns if the protagonist has made the right decision and watches as the she reaps the rewards or suffers the consequences of her decision.
The resolution is the payoff the reader receives for empathizing with the protagonist and accompanying them on the journey to pursue their objects of desire.
Types of Resolution Valence
- Prescriptive
- Cautionary
Type 1. Prescriptive
A prescriptive story ends in the positive for the protagonist. It proves that the climatic choice by the protagonist was the right one in the given context.
These are the most popular stories because the reader gets to experience the positive emotions alongside the protagonist.
Type 2. Cautionary
A cautionary story ends in the negative for the protagonist. It shows the climatic choice by the protagonist was the wrong one in the given context.
These are less popular because they force the reader to experience the pain of poor choices alongside the protagonist.
Complexity in Story Resolutions
To add complexity to stories, we often combine prescriptive and cautionary endings in one story. Perhaps the protagonist attains their want but not their need, or vice versa. Also, the protagonist could lose or sacrifice their external OBJECT OF DESIRE (what they want) while attaining their internal OBJECT OF DESIRE (what they need).
We want to mix prescriptive and cautionary resolutions throughout our stories in the different UNITS OF STORY — BEATS, TROPES, SCENES, SEQUENCES, and QUADRANTS.
Analyzing Story Resolutions
Prescriptive or Cautionary?
How does it pay off the CRISIS?
Prescriptive or Cautionary?
Identify whether the resolution is positive or negative. How did the choice in the CLIMAX work out for the protagonist? If there were mixed results, determine whether the resolution was, on balance, positive or negative.
How does it pay off the CRISIS?
Explain how the stakes outlined in the CRISIS apply in the resolution. Ensure the end of the UNIT OF STORY follows through on the tradeoffs that arose in the CRISIS.
