Story Architect Guide Worksheet
Schematic Analysis // Phase 01
Story Architect
Foundational Narrative Specification
Designer:
Date:
Ref Code: ARCH-ENG-V2.0
01. The Moral Pivot
Conceptual Hook / "What If?"
Thematic Question (Moral Inquiry)
02. Perspective Specs
Narrative Stance (e.g., 3rd Person Limited)
Narrative Distance (Psychic Proximity)
Narrative Tense & Rationale
03. World Logic
Environmental Constraints & Social Norms
S.A.G.
DRAFTING
CORE-01
04. Protagonist Architecture
Name / Persona
Defining Paradox
The "Ghost" (Core Wound)
The "Lie" (Internal Distortion)
Want (External Aim)
Need (Psychic Evolution)
[RULE] Character arc is achieved when the protagonist destroys the Lie to fulfill the Need.
05. Opposing Force
The thematic mirror that demands the protagonist break.
Thematic Foil (How they reflect the Hero)
Internal Logic (Their Motivation)
Integrity Check
If your antagonist has no reasonable goal, they are a caricature, not a character.
SHEET_01: FOUNDATIONAL_SPEC
Schematic Analysis // Phase 02
Plot Engine
Trajectory, Pacing & Internal Transformations
ARC_CALIBRATION_V4.3
01. Setup
02. Escalation
03. The Climax
04. Falling Action
05. Resolution
The Inciting Incident
The Midpoint Pivot
Symbolic Motifs
Key recurring images/objects
Internal Transformation Schematic
Contrast the character's internal state at start vs. end.
Initial State (The Lie)
Final State (The Truth)
Narrative Payoff (The ultimate thematic statement)
SHEET_02: STRUCTURAL_ARC
Schematic Analysis // Phase 03
Acoustic Specs
Dialogue Voicing, Subtext & Status Exchanges
VOICE_DYNAMICS_V1.1
Speaker A:
Diction / Lexis
Rhythm / Cadence
Unique Idiolect (Slang/Jargon)
Speaker B:
Diction / Lexis
Rhythm / Cadence
Unique Idiolect (Slang/Jargon)
The Iceberg Schematic
Map a high-stakes exchange: Compare the surface text with the submerged intention.
Surface Dialogue
Inferred Subtext
Status Exchange & Power Pivot
Identify the exact moment where the power balance shifts. Does the status differential increase or invert?
Technical QC
- Adverb Zero
- Action Beats
- Voice Key
- Subtext Gap
SHEET_03: ACOUSTIC_SPEC
