English
Narrative arc.
Definition
The overall shape or trajectory of a story from beginning to end, showing how events build tension, reach a climax, and resolve. The narrative arc gives a story its structure and emotional momentum, guiding the reader through the character's journey.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 In Romeo and Juliet, the arc moves from love to conflict to tragedy
- 2 A coming-of-age novel arcs from innocence through challenges to maturity
- 3 A mystery's arc builds from the discovery of a crime to the revelation of the culprit