narrative-structure

name	narrative-structure
description	A specialized skill for the story-architect and narrator agents covering documentary narrative structure. Provides 3-act structure, emotion curves, scene arrangement, and narrative patterns by documentary type. Use for 'treatment,' 'narrative structure,' '3-act,' 'emotion curve,' and similar topics.

Narrative Structure — Documentary Narrative Structure Methodology

Specialized narrative knowledge used by the story-architect and narrator agents when designing treatments and narration.

Why Documentaries Need Narrative

Listing facts makes a report. Layering facts with narrative structure makes a documentary. What keeps the audience watching to the end is not information, but the curiosity of "what happens next?"

5 Documentary Narrative Types

1. Investigative

Mystery/Question -> Clue gathering -> Obstacle -> Breakthrough -> Truth discovery

• Core Device: The feeling that the audience is tracking the truth alongside the journalist/detective
• Narration Tone: "We discovered...", "Here, an unexpected fact emerged"
• Risk: A weak conclusion leads to "So what?" — a powerful discovery is needed
• Examples: Netflix's Making a Murderer, Narcos

2. Character-Driven

Character introduction -> Conflict/Challenge -> Trial -> Change/Growth -> Present

• Core Device: Emotional investment in the character
• Narration Tone: Resonating with the character's emotions while maintaining objective distance
• Risk: Excessive heroization — showing flaws makes them three-dimensional
• Examples: I Am Number Four, biographical documentaries

3. Observational

Entering the situation -> Daily observation -> Pattern discovery -> Conflict escalation -> Resolution/Unresolved

• Core Device: The feeling that the camera transparently captures reality
• Narration: Minimal (or none) — let the footage speak
• Risk: Can become boring — editing rhythm is key
• Examples: Observational documentaries

4. Essay / Thesis

Thesis presented -> Evidence 1 -> Evidence 2 -> Counterargument -> Rebuttal -> Conclusion

• Core Device: Strong argument and reasoning
• Narration Tone: Intellectual and persuasive, sometimes provocative
• Risk: Can become biased propaganda — treat counterarguments fairly
• Examples: Michael Moore documentaries, An Inconvenient Truth

5. Historical / Archival

Present situation -> Return to the past -> Historical development -> Turning point -> Return to present -> Meaning assigned

• Core Device: Cross-editing between archival materials and the present
• Narration Tone: Epic, sometimes grand
• Risk: Can become textbook-like — convey history through characters
• Examples: Ken Burns documentaries, I Am Not Your Negro

Detailed 3-Act Structure Design

Based on a 30-Minute Documentary

Act	Time	Purpose	Components
Act 1	0-8 min	World entry + Question posed	Hook (2 min) -> Topic introduction -> Core question
Act 2	8-23 min	Exploration + Increasing complexity	3-4 scenes, twist, emotional climax
Act 3	23-30 min	Conclusion + Resonance	Answer (or open ending), emotional landing

Emotion Curve Design

Emotional Intensity
  ^
  |        /\            /\
  |      /    \        /    \
  |    /        \    /        \
  |--/            \/            \--
  +---------------------------------> Time
  Hook   Act 1     Act 2 Early  Act 2 Late   Act 3
  (Shock) (Exploration) (Deepening) (Climax) (Landing)

Emotion Curve Rules

1. The hook must be emotional: Scenes over statistics, emotions over logic
2. Valley between Acts 1 and 2: Intentionally lower emotions to heighten the Act 2 climax
3. Act 2 climax is the highest point: Place the most intense interview/material/scene here
4. Act 3 is the landing: A gentle afterglow, not a sharp descent

Scene Arrangement Strategy

Scene Types

Type	Description	Usage Ratio
Information Scene	Data, expert interviews, explanation	30-40%
Emotional Scene	Firsthand stories, emotional moments	20-30%
Observation Scene	Field footage, daily observation	15-25%
Transition Scene	Location change, time passage, topic shift	10-15%
Impact Scene	Twist, new discovery, contrast	5-10%

Scene Arrangement Principles

1. Tension-Release Alternation: Place lighter scenes after heavy ones
2. Specific -> Abstract -> Specific: Case -> Insight -> Another case
3. Geographic/Temporal Flow: Natural movement paths
4. Parallel Structure: Alternate between two stories, converging at intersection points

Narration Writing Rules

Text-Visual Relationship

Relationship	Description	When to Use
Complement	Narration adds information not in the visuals	Context explanation, historical background
Counterpoint	Narration and visuals tell different stories	Irony, critique
Silence	Visuals only, no narration	Emotional moments, observation
Explanation	Narration directly explains visuals	Avoid — "Don't say what is shown"

Narration DO/DON'T

DO	DON'T
Provide context not visible on screen	Explain what is visible on screen ("What you see here is...")
Short sentences, conversational tone	Academic paper style
Maintain tension by posing questions	Explain everything and draw conclusions
Leave emotional space	Think for the audience
Describe specific scenes/characters	Abstract generalizations