HOW & WHY

Characters provide the “who” of your story. Conflict gives you the “what,” and setting offers the “where.” With the plot, you answer the questions of “how” and “why.” A plot consists of the individual events that make up your narrative—its “how”—and a causal connection that tells you “why” they happened. That connection is important. It’s the thread that ties your story together.

“The king died, and then the queen died” isn’t a plot; it’s just two separate events. A plot might be: “The king died, and then the queen died of grief.” The specific events are linked by that all-important “why.”

The specifics of your plot will depend on the specifics of your story, but there are some durable plot structures that have endured through the centuries. Deciding on one that corresponds to your narrative can help to structure and streamline the story. Some examples:

• The Quest — The protagonist goes in search of something: an object, an ally, wisdom, etc.
• The Rivalry — The protagonist takes on an evenly-matched antagonist.
• The Underdog Tale — A “David and Goliath” story, where a plucky protagonist seeks to beat the odds and overcome a stronger antagonist.
• Temptation — The protagonist is tempted to stray from their ideals by an outside force.
• Maturation — The protagonist learns lessons as they come of age.

These are just a few of the archetypal plots that can help you to shape your story. For more examples, check out this guide from Writer’s Digest. And to see how Greenpeace storytellers have used an archetypal plot to get their message across, check out this case study.

Using Narrative to Cultivate Supporters and Allies

Activism is not a night at the opera with the audiences in the balcony applauding the action onstage. As activist storytellers, we don’t want a passive and polite audience. We want people to engage, to become characters in our narrative and help determine how it unfolds. In fact, it is helpful to think of your audiences and supporters less as an audience and more as a community of collaborators.

Every plot point in your story should have a corresponding action point for your supporters. With each step forward, you can provide an online or IRL opportunity for them to join in with the narrative. Let them know that the story’s outcome depends on their decisions. Will it end in triumph or disappointment? Only they have power to decide.