| 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
- The hook must be emotional: Scenes over statistics, emotions over logic
- Valley between Acts 1 and 2: Intentionally lower emotions to heighten the Act 2 climax
- Act 2 climax is the highest point: Place the most intense interview/material/scene here
- 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
- Tension-Release Alternation: Place lighter scenes after heavy ones
- Specific -> Abstract -> Specific: Case -> Insight -> Another case
- Geographic/Temporal Flow: Natural movement paths
- 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 |