The Aristotelian Paradigm

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The Aristotelian Paradigm (aka Three-Act
Structure)
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ARISTOTLE 384-322 BC
Student of Plato and Socrates who rose to become
the most influential of revolutionary thinkers at
the height of the Greek empire. An artist,
scientist, and philosopher, Aristotle
single-handedly founded the sciences of Logic,
Biology, and Psychology and revolutionized Philo
sophy entirely.
Like all prominent Greek philosophers of his
time, he was passionate about the ARTS.
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Dramatic storytelling in the form of theatrical
performance was still new ... and rather
mysterious!
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Aristotle observed that successful plays tended
to have a certain SHAPE which unsuccessful plays
did not. In other words, audiences seemed to be
pleased when certain kinds of dramatic events
occurred at specific moments in the performance.
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The Aristotelian Paradigm
CLIMAX (with CATHARSIS)
denouement
Introduction
Complication
Resolution
Beginning
Middle
End
(Each phase is roughly one-third of the total
play)
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25 -- ACT ONE
25 -- ACT THREE
25 25 50 -- ACT TWO
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CLIMAX (with CATHARSIS)
denouement
Introduction
Complication
Resolution
25 -- ACT ONE
25 -- ACT THREE
25 25 50 -- ACT TWO
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So how is this of practical use to screenwriters?
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So in a 100-page script...
Complication