The document outlines the 3-act story structure and how it can be applied to comic strips. Act 1 establishes context and answers who, what, when, where and why. Act 2 shows the character attempting their goal and facing conflict that threatens their premise. Act 3 resolves the conflict, revealing something about the character. The document provides an example of how this structure is used in a Calvin and Hobbes strip, with Act 1 introducing Calvin playing Superman, Act 2 showing him attempt to fly before being thwarted by gravity, and Act 3 revealing Calvin's playful nature as he refuses to give up pretending.

1. 3-ACT STORY
http://timstout.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/how-to-use-3-act-
story-structure-in-comic-strips/

3. 3-ACT STORY
 Act 1 is the “Beginning”, where information is setup
to provide CONTEXT for the story.
 Act 2 is the “Middle”, where characters attempt to
achieve GOALS and encounter CONFLICT.
 Act 3 is the “End”, where there is a RESOLUTION
to the CONFLICT and our character’s character is
revealed.

4. PANEL 1 (YELLOW) IS ACT 1. IT PROVIDES THE
CONTEXT FOR THE STRIP, ANSWERING THE 5W’S:
WHERE, WHEN, WHO, WHAT AND WHY.

5. 5 W’S
 Where are we? A white space. We may be inside or we
may be outside, it doesn’t matter. The rest of the strip
should make sense without that information. (If it doesn’t
make sense, then Bill should have clarified).
 When are we? Day or night is not specified, so it
shouldn’t matter for the rest of the strip to make sense.
(But it is set post-1932. How do we know that? The
character is playing Superman, who was created in
1932.)
 Who is involved? A kid. We know his name is Calvin
from the title of the strip, Calvin & Hobbes, but within the
CONTEXT of Panel 1, it doesn’t matter. All we really
need to know is that the character is a kid who plays
pretend.

6. 5 W’S
 What are they doing (their GOAL)? Playing
Superman. And we know that by the use of
Superman’s trademark line “Up, up and away!”
along with the cape.
 & Why are they doing that? Probably because
playing Superman is fun.
Now that the CONTEXT has been established, we
want to see the character attempt to achieve a GOAL
and face CONFLICT in Act 2.

7. PANEL 2 (BLUE) SHOWS THE CHARACTER TRYING TO ACHIEVE THEIR
GOAL – THE WHAT FROM PANEL 1 PUT INTO ACTION. IT CAN ALSO
BE CALLED THE PREMISE OF THE STRIP.

8. BUT THERE IS NO STORY WITHOUT A PROBLEM. SO, THERE MUST BE CONFLICT.
SOMETHING (A PERSON, A THING, FATE, OR A FORCE OF NATURE) MUST CONFLICT
WITH THE CHARACTER’S GOAL.
THIS CONFLICT BRINGS THE POTENTIAL DEATH OF THE PREMISE.

9. IN PANEL 3 (RED), GRAVITY PREVENTS CALVIN FROM
FLYING (CONFLICT). WILL THIS BE THE DEATH OF
PLAYING SUPERMAN?!

10. IN PANEL 3 (RED), GRAVITY PREVENTS CALVIN FROM
FLYING (CONFLICT). WILL THIS BE THE DEATH OF
PLAYING SUPERMAN?!
 NO! Calvin continues to play Superman despite the
reality of his situation, thus revealing something
about his character.
 Character is revealed through conflict and Panel 4
(green) is where we get to see that.

11. PANEL 4 IS THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT, AND THAT
RESOLUTION LETS THE READER KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR
CHARACTER.
 This is where you get to show how your character
behaves or thinks. In a well-written comic strip, it
results in something funny or unexpected.
 Calvin has every reason to give up pretending to be
Superman but he refuses and improves his way
back into play. Why? Because play is more fun than
reality (and if you’ve read Calvin & Hobbes, you’ll
know just how true that is for Calvin).

12. THE END
Edited by Patawad