Story Structure

The Backbone of Great Audio Stories

by Nick Dunkerley

Ever wondered what makes an audio story truly captivating? Narrative Structure!
All stories have narrative structure. It's the backbone of any good story. Without it, stories can feel scattered and confusing. But with the right structure, your story can paint pictures, stir emotions, and hold your audience's attention from beginning to end.
Let's dive into these structures, see how they work, and learn how you can use them to make engaging audio stories.

Linear

beginning, middle, end 

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
In just six words, the baby shoe story follows a narrative structure.
Exposition: "For sale". Rising Action: "Baby shoes".  Conflict: "Never worn".
A linear narrative unfolds events in a straightforward, chronological order from start to finish. This is the most common structure, providing a clear and easy-to-follow progression for listeners.

• "This American Life" often follows a linear progression. Its predictability allows listeners to immerse themselves without getting distracted by complex twists.
• "99% Invisible" uses a linear narrative to explore the hidden aspects of design and architecture, following a clear progression from introduction to conclusion.
  
  

Structure:

1. Exposition: Introduction of setting and characters.
2. Rising Action: Development of the plot and building of tension.
3. Conflict: The main problem or challenge faced by the characters.
4. Point of No Return: A critical moment where characters can’t go back.
5. Climax: The peak of the story’s tension and action.
6. Falling Action: Events following the climax that lead towards resolution.
7. Resolution: Conclusion where conflicts are resolved, and the story ends.

Tip: Use clear narration to guide your audience through the story’s progression, ensuring each stage is distinct and engaging. Keep the audience's attention through predictable parts by adding vivid descriptions and dynamic voice modulation.

Non-linear

jumping around in time

"Do I believe the world's still there?" 
A non-linear narrative defies chronological conventions by jumping between times, using flashbacks, or shuffling events. This structure can create suspense, add layers of meaning, or reflect the fragmented nature of memory.
The movie "Memento" is a prime example of a non-linear narrative, where the story is told in reverse order and through fragmented sequences, reflecting the protagonist's disoriented memory and creating a puzzle for the audience to piece together.

• Radiolab: Frequently employs non-linear storytelling, pulling listeners across different timelines to enrich the narrative layers.
• S-Town: Starts with a linear story but quickly delves into a non-linear structure, exploring the life and mysteries surrounding John B. McLemore.

Structure:

1. Fragmented Time: Events are not presented in chronological order.
2. Flashbacks/Forwards: Scenes from the past or future are interspersed.
3. Multiple Perspectives: Different viewpoints are explored to add depth.
4. Puzzles and Revelations: Gradual uncovering of key information.
5. Connecting the Dots: Listeners piece together the story from various fragments.

Tip: Use sound effects, musical cues, and distinct voice changes to indicate shifts in time or perspective, helping listeners keep track of the story. Ensure each shift is clear and purposeful to avoid confusing your audience.

The Hero's Journey

once upon a time

“Luke, I am your father.”
In every great story, there's a journey—a quest that takes the protagonist through a series of trials, revelations, and transformations. This narrative structure, known as "The Hero's Journey," was famously outlined by Joseph Campbell and is a staple in storytelling from ancient myths to modern movies.

• "The Odyssey" and “Star Wars” are classic examples of stories built on the quest narrative.
• The BBC’s radio adaptation of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” follows an episodic narrative with elements of the quest narrative.
• “Missing Richard Simmons" follows the quest narrative as the hosts embark on a journey to uncover why fitness guru Richard Simmons disappeared from public life.
  
  

Structure:

1. Call to Adventure: The hero is called to leave their ordinary world.
2. Crossing the Threshold: Entering the unknown world.
3. Trials and Challenges: The hero faces various obstacles.
4. Helper/Mentor: The hero receives guidance.
5. Climax/Battle: The hero faces the main challenge.
6. Transformation: The hero undergoes a significant change.
7. Return with the Elixir: The hero returns home with newfound wisdom or a boon.

Tip: Create a sense of journey and progression through changes in ambient sounds, music that reflects different stages, and varied pacing to emphasize different parts of the hero’s journey. Keep the momentum with cliffhangers and unresolved tensions to keep listeners coming back.

Viewpoint

well, it's my perspective

A viewpoint narrative gives an intimate look at events through one or more characters' perspectives. This approach helps listeners connect deeply with the characters' emotions and thoughts.
The movie "Gone Girl" uses a viewpoint narrative by alternating between the perspectives of Nick and Amy, offering deep insight into their thoughts, emotions, and unreliable perceptions.

• "Planet Money" often follows a linear narrative to explain complex economic topics in an accessible way, incorporating elements of the viewpoint narrative with interviews and personal stories.
• “Serial" adopts the viewpoint narrative, presenting diverse perspectives on central events, enabling listeners to navigate the labyrinth of subjective truths.

Structure:

1. Single Perspective: The story is told from one character’s point of view.
2. Multiple Perspectives: Different characters’ viewpoints are explored.
3. Inner Monologue: Insight into characters’ thoughts and feelings.
4. Subjective Reality: Events are colored by the narrator’s perception.
5. Empathy Building: Listeners are encouraged to connect emotionally with characters.

Tip: Use voice acting to distinguish different perspectives and employ sound design to reflect the subjective experiences of each character. Ensure each perspective is distinct and transitions are smooth to maintain clarity.

the Circular 

the end is the beginning 

"life is like a box of chocolates" 
A circular narrative is a story that ends in the same place it started, connecting the beginning and the end. This structure can emphasises themes of cycles, destiny, or life truths. This structure shows how events repeat and how the end mirrors the beginning, creating a sense of completeness.
In the movie "Forrest Gump," the story begins and ends with Forrest sitting on a bench, narrating his life story to strangers. This framing device creates a circular structure.

• Folktales from various cultures often adopt circular narratives, concluding where they began, echoing the cyclical nature of life.
• The mind-bending layers of "Inception" and the relentless loop of "Memento" continue this enigmatic tradition.
• "20 Thousand Hertz" often explores the world of sound in a way that may circle back to a central theme, highlighting the cyclic nature of auditory experiences.

Structure:

1. Beginning and End Match: The story starts and ends in the same place or situation.
2. Journey: The characters embark on a journey or series of events.
3. Change and Reflection: Characters experience change but ultimately return to the start.
4. Recurring Themes: Repetition of motifs or themes throughout the story.
5. Resolution: The return to the beginning provides closure and insight.

Tip: Use recurring musical themes and sound motifs to highlight the cyclical nature of the narrative and to bring the story full circle. Introduce subtle variations to keep the listener engaged and avoid repetition fatigue.

the Nested Loop

it's complicated

"It's you who's in the hot seat, my friend!"
A nested loop narrative is a layered structure where stories reside within stories. This approach creates depth, drawing listeners deeper into the narrative with each unfolding layer. Each story within the main story adds new dimensions and complexity, making the overall experience more engaging and immersive.*
The film Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of Jamal, who recounts how his life experiences helped him answer questions on a game show. Each flashback forms a sub-story that connects back to the main narrative.

• "One Thousand and One Nights" stands out as a nested narrative. As Scheherazade narrates tales to King Shahryar, listeners dive deeper into interwoven stories, each offering its own universe of intrigue.
• “Radiolab" often uses nested narratives, with stories residing within stories to create depth and pull listeners deeper into the narrative universe.

Structure:

1. Main Story: The overarching narrative that frames the inner stories.
2. Sub-Stories: Stories within the main story, often with their own themes and characters.
3. Interconnected Layers: The sub-stories may connect back to the main narrative.
4. Depth and Complexity: Each layer adds depth to the overall narrative.
5. Closure: The conclusion of sub-stories ties back to the main story, creating a cohesive whole.

Tip: Clearly differentiate each layer of the story with distinct voices or sound effects, and ensure smooth transitions to keep the audience engaged and oriented. Maintain coherence across layers by using consistent themes or motifs to tie everything together.

Epilogue

Narrative structures are more than mere vehicles for storytelling; they shape the story's essence. Without structure, stories can feel jumbled and hard to follow. Applying structure to your story can resonate deeply with listeners and keep them engaged. Whether it's the predictable comfort of linear tales, the transformative arcs of quests, or the complex layers of nested narratives, these structures offer a range of options to storytellers, allowing them to create vivid audio experiences for their listeners.

So, get out there and experiment with these structures in your own storytelling. See which ones resonate most with your style and audience. And don't hesitate to share your experiences or questions—we'd love to hear how these frameworks help you craft your stories.