Three Act Calculator
Calculator Input
Act One
The Hook
A mysterious, exciting, or unexplained situation that gets readers invested in the story.
Pages
Part
Inciting Incident
An event that kicks off the main plot without breaking the status quo. Directs main characters to the first plot point.
Pages
Part
First Plot Point
A status-quo breaking event that creates a new set of problems for the protagonist and ends the first act.
Page
Part
Act Two, Part One
First Pinch Point
A minor threat or setback that is usually related to the antagonist.
Pages
Part
Midpoint
A major truth is revealed that re-contextualizes the plot up to this point while also forcing the protagonist to face a setback.
Pages
Part
Act Two, Part Two
Second Pinch Point
A major threat or setback that is usually related to the antagonist.
Pages
Part
Third Plot Point
A major plot shakeup that brings the protagonist to thier lowest point.
Page
Part
Act Three
Hour of Darkness
A period where the protagonist is set-back emotionally by the third plot point, and begins to reconsider thier goals.
Pages
Part
Recovery
A period where the protagonist learns of a way to resolve thier major issue, refocuses thier efforts, and prepares to face it one final time.
Pages
Part
Climax
The height of dramatic tension, where the protagonist directly confronts thier antagonist.
Pages
Part
Climactic moment
Ends the climax in one quick moment, usually marked by the death of the antagonist or the reveal of a solution to the protagonists problems.
Page
Part
Resolution
A period where the story comes to a close, lowering the dramatic tension and resolving any lingering plot threads. Depending on the type of story, this depicts either the story's best possible outcome or it's worst possible outcome.
Pages
Part