Book Anatomy: Ask the book now sits at the top of every book, with example questions · Ask any classic book about the craft that made it great · 50 tools · Updated 16 Oct 2026 · My list

Book Anatomy · All lenses

A12. Map to the 15 Save the Cat beats. AI

Story and structure. One line per book. Open a book for the full answer, charts and cited lines.

BookGenreResult
Treasure IslandThriller and adventureOpening image (Ch 1), Catalyst (Ch 6 map), B story (Ch 8 Silver), Fun and games (Ch 10 to 15), Midpoint (Ch 10), Bad guys close in (Ch 21 to 28), All is lost (Ch 28), Dark night (Ch 29 to 32), Break into three (Ch 33), Finale …
The Thirty-Nine StepsThriller and adventureNot a feature of this book. The Save the Cat structure assumes a three act screenplay format with specific emotional beats. This novel follows a ten chapter adventure structure with its own rhythm.
The Prisoner of ZendaThriller and adventureThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (Ch 1), Catalyst (Ch 3), Debate (Ch 4), Break into Two (Ch 5), B Story (Ch 5, Flavia), Fun and Games (Ch 8 to 10), Midpoint (Ch 10), Bad Guys Close In (Ch 12 to 14), All …
Around the World in Eighty DaysThriller and adventureSave the Cat beats: Opening image (Ch 1 to 2, Fogg's routine); Catalyst (Ch 3, wager); Debate (Ch 4, departure); Break into two (Ch 5, Fix's pursuit); B story (Ch 12, Aouda rescue); Fun and games (Ch 9 to 21, travel …
King Solomon's MinesThriller and adventureOpening image (1), Inciting incident (1), Debate (2 to 3), Break into two (3), B story (7 to 8 with Infadoos and Ignosi), Fun and games (9 to 11), Midpoint (11), Bad guys close in (12 to 13), All is lost (17), Dark night (18), …
The Hound of the BaskervillesCrime and mysteryOpening: Ch1 (Holmes meets case). Inciting: Ch1 (Mortimer arrives). Debate: Ch3 (should Sir Henry go?). Break: Ch4 (threatening letter). B story: Ch5 (Watson agrees to go). Fun: Ch6 to 8 (Watson investigates). Midpoint: …
A Study in ScarletCrime and mysteryOpening image (Ch 1: Watson wounded). Catalyst (Ch 3: Drebber murder). B story (Ch 2: Holmes partnership). Fun and games (Ch 4 to 6: investigation). Midpoint (Ch 7: arrest). Bad guys close in (Ch 10 to 12: Ferrier hunted). …
The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesCrime and mysteryThis collection does not fit the fifteen-beat Save the Cat structure. Each chapter is a standalone mystery with its own exposition, rising action, climax and resolution. The book as a whole lacks the three-act shape …
The MoonstoneCrime and mysteryThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening image (Chapters 1 to 4, India and curse); Catalyst (Chapter 15, theft); Debate (Chapters 16 to 27, investigation and Rosanna's death); Break into Two (Chapter 28, Miss Clack's …
The Woman in WhiteCrime and mysteryOpening image: Walter on London pavement (c1). Inciting incident: woman in white (c3). Crossing threshold: Walter arrives at Limmeridge (c4). B story: Marian becomes ally (c5). Fun and games: Walter falls in love …
Pride and PrejudiceRomanceOpening image (1): marriage market. Catalyst (3): Darcy's insult. Debate (5 to 15): Wickham vs Darcy. Break into two (34): proposal rejected. B story (35 to 40): truth revealed. Fun and games (6 to 32): courtship and visits. …
PersuasionRomanceOpening Image (Ch 1): Sir Walter's vanity; Catalyst (Ch 3): Admiral Croft's arrival; Debate (Ch 4 to 6): Anne's regret over breaking engagement; Break into Two (Ch 7): Wentworth arrives; B Story (Ch 6 to 11): Musgrove …
EmmaRomanceOpening: Chapter 1 (Emma's world). Inciting: Chapter 1 (Elton match). Debate: Chapters 2 to 6 (Harriet friendship). Break: Chapter 7 (Harriet refuses Martin). B story: Chapter 5 (Knightley warns). Fun: Chapters 9 to 14 …
Jane EyreRomanceOpening image (Ch 1): confinement and isolation. Call to adventure (Ch 4): escape to Lowood. Refusal (Ch 10): restlessness at Lowood. Meeting mentor (Ch 5 to 8): Miss Temple and Helen Burns. Crossing threshold (Ch 11): …
DraculaGothic and horrorOpening Image: Jonathan's journal begins (Ch 1). Catalyst: Jonathan meets Dracula (Ch 1 to 2). Debate: Van Helsing's cryptic warnings (Ch 9 to 13). Break into Two: Van Helsing confirms the truth (Ch 14). B Story: Mina …
FrankensteinGothic and horrorSave the Cat beats: Opening image (Walton's ambition, Ch 1); Catalyst (Victor's discovery, Ch 8); B story (creature's education, Ch 15 to 19); Midpoint (glacier encounter, Ch 14); Bad guys close in (murders escalate, Ch …
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeGothic and horrorOpening image: Utterson as austere lawyer. Inciting incident: Enfield's Hyde story (Ch 1). B story: Lanyon's sealed letter (Ch 6). Midpoint: Carew murder (Ch 4). All is lost: Jekyll's terror (Ch 7). Dark night: …
The Picture of Dorian GrayGothic and horrorOpening: Ch 1 to 2 (meet world and desire). Catalyst: Ch 2 (wish on portrait). Debate: Ch 3 to 6 (Dorian pursues Sibyl). Break into Two: Ch 7 (portrait changes). B Story: Ch 9 to 12 (Basil confronts Dorian). Midpoint: Ch 13 …
Wuthering HeightsGothic and horrorOpening image: Lockwood at Wuthering Heights (Ch 1). Theme stated: Nelly's narrative begins (Ch 4). B story: Nelly as guide and conscience. Fun and games: Catherine and Heathcliff's childhood (Chs 5 to 8). Midpoint: …
The Turn of the ScrewGothic and horrorOpening image (Chapter 1), Call to adventure (Chapter 2, letter), Refusal (Chapter 3, doubt), Meeting mentor (Chapter 3, Mrs. Grose), Crossing threshold (Chapter 4, first sighting), Tests (Chapters 5 to 14), Approach …
The Time MachineScience fictionNot a perfect fit. Opening/theme (Ch 1), catalyst (Ch 2), crossing threshold (Ch 4), tests (Ch 5 to 8), midpoint (Ch 8), ordeal (Ch 12), climax (Ch 13), and resolution (Ch 16) are present, but the structure is looser …
The War of the WorldsScience fictionOpening image (1), Catalyst (2), Debate (3 to 8), Break into Two (9), B story (13 with curate), Fun and Games (11 to 12), Midpoint (15), Bad guys close in (18 to 21), All is lost (21), Dark night (22 to 24), Break into Three …
The Invisible ManScience fictionOpening image (Ch 1), Call to adventure (Ch 7), Refusal (Ch 8 to 9), Meeting mentor (Ch 17 with Kemp), Crossing threshold (Ch 24 betrayal), Tests (Ch 25 to 26), Approach (Ch 27), Ordeal (Ch 27 to 28), Reward (Ch 28 death), …
Alice's Adventures in WonderlandFantasy and children'sThis book does not fit Save the Cat's 15-beat structure, which is designed for three-act films. The 12-chapter episodic fantasy follows its own dream logic without clear act breaks.
The Wonderful Wizard of OzFantasy and children'sOpening: Kansas life (Ch 1). Inciting: cyclone (Ch 1). Debate: should seek Oz (Ch 2). Break: yellow brick road (Ch 3). B story: companions join (Ch 3 to 6). Fun and games: journey west (Ch 7 to 10). Midpoint: Oz's demand …
The Secret GardenFantasy and children'sOpening image (ch 1): Mary alone and orphaned. Call to adventure (ch 4): locked garden mystery. Refusal (ch 5 to 6): Mary explores but cannot find it. Meeting mentor (ch 7): Ben Weatherstaff and robin guide her. …
The Wind in the WillowsFantasy and children'sThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (chapter 1), Catalyst (chapter 2), Debate (chapters 3 to 5), Break into Two (chapter 6), B Story (chapters 4, 7, 9), Fun and Games (chapters 8 to 10), Midpoint (chapter …
Great ExpectationsLiterarySave the Cat beats: Opening Image (1), Catalyst (1, convict encounter), B Story (8, Estella), Fun and Games (8 to 17, visits to Miss Havisham), Midpoint (39, Magwitch reveals), Bad Guys Close In (40 to 54, escape attempt), …
A Christmas CarolLiteraryOpening image (Marley dead), catalyst (Marley's ghost), debate (Scrooge doubts), break into two (first spirit arrives), B story (spirits as mentors), fun and games (three visions), midpoint (Tiny Tim's fate …
The Great GatsbyLiteraryOpening image (Ch 1), Call to adventure (Ch 3), Crossing threshold (Ch 4), Tests and allies (Ch 5 to 6), Ordeal (Ch 7), Reward (none), Road back (Ch 8), Final image (Ch 9). Not all beats fit cleanly.
Heart of DarknessLiteraryThe book does not map cleanly to Save the Cat beats. It follows a frame narrative structure with inciting incident (Chapter 1), rising action and midpoint (Chapter 2), climax and resolution (Chapter 3), but lacks the …
KidnappedThriller and adventureOpening image (Ch 1), Call to adventure (Ch 1 to 2), Refusal (Ch 3 to 4), Meeting mentor (Ch 9 to 11), Crossing threshold (Ch 6), Tests and allies (Ch 7 to 16), Approach (Ch 17), Ordeal (Ch 22 to 24), Reward (Ch 27), Road back (Ch …
The Count of Monte CristoThriller and adventureSave the Cat beats: Hook (Ch 1, ship arrival); Inciting Incident (Ch 5, arrest); B Story (Ch 16, Faria mentor); Fun and Games (Ch 24, treasure discovery); Midpoint (Ch 24, wealth gained); Bad Guys Close In (Ch 62 to 80, …
The Three MusketeersThriller and adventureThe novel maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (Chapter 1, poor Gascon); Catalyst (Chapter 5, bond with Musketeers); B Story (Chapter 8, Constance); Fun and Games (Chapters 16 to 22, diamond mission); Midpoint …
The Riddle of the SandsThriller and adventureOpening Image (Ch 1): Carruthers bored in London. Call to Adventure (Ch 1): Davies's letter. Refusal (Ch 2): Carruthers's doubts. Meeting Mentor (Ch 3): Davies reveals his competence. Crossing Threshold (Ch 8): …
The Scarlet PimpernelThriller and adventureThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (Chapter 1, Pimpernel rescues); Catalyst (Chapter 8, Chauvelin blackmails); B Story (Chapter 5 to 7, Marguerite and Percy's marriage); Midpoint (Chapter 18, discovery …
The Lost WorldThriller and adventureOpening image (ch 1): Malone rejected. Catalyst (ch 3): Challenger reveals lost world. B story (ch 6): Roxton joins as ally. Fun and games (ch 8 to 10): Explore plateau. Midpoint (ch 9): Trapped. Bad guys close in (ch …
Captain BloodThriller and adventureOpening image (Chapter 1, geraniums); Catalyst (Chapter 1, arrest); Debate (Chapters 2 to 3, trial); Break into Two (Chapter 4, slavery); B story (Chapter 5, Arabella); Fun and Games (Chapters 6 to 18, piracy); Midpoint …
Lady Audley's SecretCrime and mysteryOpening image (Chapter 1): Lucy as governess. Inciting incident (Chapter 4): George's return and wife's death. Debate (Chapters 5 to 10): Robert's uncertainty about George's fate. Break into two (Chapter 10): George …
The Murders in the Rue MorgueCrime and mysteryThe story maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (Section 1, Dupin's character), Catalyst (Section 2, murders reported), Debate (Section 2 to 3, police baffled), Break into Two (Section 3, Dupin investigates), B …
The Innocence of Father BrownCrime and mysteryThe book does not follow Save the Cat beats. It is a short story collection with 26 independent mysteries, each with its own exposition, confrontation, and resolution, rather than one three-act narrative.
The Big Bow MysteryCrime and mysteryThe book does not map cleanly to Save the Cat beats. It follows a mystery structure: Opening Image (Ch 1 fog), Inciting Incident (Ch 1 murder), B Story (Ch 5 to 11 Grodman's investigation), Midpoint (Ch 8 arrest), Dark …
The Leavenworth CaseCrime and mysteryOpening: Chapter 1 (illustrations). Catalyst: Chapter 2 (murder announced). B story: Chapter 7 (Eleanore introduced). Fun and games: Chapters 8 to 25 (investigation unfolds). Midpoint: Chapter 25 (Mary revealed as …
The Red Thumb MarkCrime and mysteryOpening image (Ch1), Inciting incident (Ch2), B story (Ch3 Juliet), Fun and games (Ch5 to 8), Midpoint (Ch10), Bad guys close in (Ch11 to 15), All is lost (Ch15 prosecution rests), Dark night (Ch15 Jervis despairs), Break …
The Amateur CracksmanCrime and mysteryNot a feature of this book. The narrative follows a crime spree structure rather than the fifteen-beat Save the Cat framework designed for redemption arcs. This book traces a negative arc of deepening criminal …
The Secret AgentCrime and mysteryThe novel does not follow Save the Cat beats. It maps loosely to: Opening Image (Chapter 1, domestic calm), Inciting Incident (Chapter 2, Vladimir's demand), Midpoint (Chapter 9, Stevie's death revealed), Climax …
Sense and SensibilityRomanceOpening image: Dashwood family at Norland (Ch 1). Inciting incident: loss of estate (Ch 1). Call to adventure: move to Barton (Ch 5). Refusal: Elinor's doubt about Edward (Ch 4). Meeting mentor: Colonel Brandon (Ch …
North and SouthRomanceOrdinary world (1 to 3), inciting incident (4), refusal (5 to 6), meeting mentor (7 to 8), crossing threshold (9 to 10), tests (11 to 21), midpoint (22), bad guys close in (23 to 34), all is lost (35 to 41), dark night (42 to 49), break …
Far from the Madding CrowdRomanceOpening image: Gabriel observes Bathsheba's vanity (1). Call to adventure: proposal rejected (4). Refusal: Gabriel loses flock (5). Meeting mentor: Gabriel hired by Bathsheba (6). Crossing threshold: Troy arrives …
The Enchanted AprilRomanceSave the Cat beats: Opening image (Chapter 1, dreary London); Catalyst (Chapter 1, advertisement); Debate (Chapters 2 to 4, guilt and hesitation); Break into two (Chapter 5, arrival); B story (Chapters 6 to 8, the garden …
The SheikRomanceOpening image (Ch 1), inciting incident (Ch 2), rising action (Ch 3 to 7), midpoint (Ch 6), low point (Ch 8), climax (Ch 10), resolution (Ch 10). The book does not follow all 15 Save the Cat beats precisely.
Daddy Long LegsRomanceThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (Chapter 1, orphan life), Inciting Incident (Chapter 1, college offer), Debate (Chapters 2 to 3, college adjustment), Break into Two (Chapter 4, summer at Lock …
CarmillaGothic and horrorOpening image (ch 1), Call to adventure (ch 2), Refusal (ch 3 to 4), Meeting mentor (ch 9 General), Crossing threshold (ch 14), Tests (ch 7 to 13), Ordeal (ch 14), Reward (ch 15), Road back (ch 15), Resurrection (ch 15), …
The Castle of OtrantoGothic and horrorThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (Manfred's dynasty, Ch 1); Inciting Incident (helmet kills Conrad, Ch 1); B Story (Jerome as moral voice, Ch 2 to 5); Fun and Games (pursuit through castle, Ch 1 to 3); …
The Phantom of the OperaGothic and horrorOpening image: Opera ghost rumours (1). Catalyst: Raoul hears the voice (2). Debate: managers dismiss ghost (3 to 4). Break into two: Raoul follows Christine (5). B story: Persian enters (15). Fun and games: masked ball …
The Great God PanGothic and horrorOpening image: experiment (Ch1). Catalyst: Villiers meets Herbert (Ch3). Debate: Clarke's hesitation (Ch4). Break into two: confirmation of Helen's identity (Ch5). B story: Austin as ally (Ch5). Fun and games: …
The Yellow WallpaperGothic and horrorThis short story does not map cleanly to the 15 Save the Cat beats. It contains inciting incident (Section 1), midpoint shift (Section 2), and climax (Section 3), but lacks the full structure of that framework.
The Call of CthulhuGothic and horrorNot a feature of this book. Save the Cat's fifteen beats assume a three act redemptive arc with a mentor and a false defeat. This novella follows a negative arc of accumulating forbidden knowledge with no redemption …
The Island of Doctor MoreauScience fictionOpening image (1), catalyst (1), debate (2 to 6), break into two (7), B story (8 to 14 with Montgomery and Moreau), fun and games (15 to 17), midpoint (13), bad guys close in (17 to 19), all is lost (19), dark night (20), break …
Journey to the Centre of the EarthScience fictionOpening image (Ch 1: discovery), Catalyst (Ch 1: parchment), Debate (Ch 3 to 4: Harry's objections), Break into Two (Ch 8: departure), B story (Ch 7: Hans introduced), Fun and Games (Ch 9 to 13: journey to Sneffels), …
A Princess of MarsScience fictionOpening image (Ch 1): Arizona cave. Inciting incident (Ch 1): cave discovery. Crossing threshold (Ch 3): arrival on Mars. B story (Ch 4 to 6): Tars Tarkas friendship. Fun and games (Ch 7 to 13): Martian life and romance. …
HerlandScience fictionThis book does not fit the 15 Save the Cat beats. It follows a discovery and integration arc rather than a hero's journey with clear plot points. The structure is more episodic observation than dramatic escalation.
FlatlandScience fictionThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Exposition (1 to 12), Inciting Incident (16), Rising Action (17 to 19), Midpoint (19), Bad Guys Close In (20), All Is Lost (24), Dark Night (25), Final Image (25). It lacks clear B …
ErewhonScience fictionOpening image (Ch 1): lonely frontier. Inciting incident (Ch 1): obsession with mountains. Crossing the threshold (Ch 4): crossing the saddle. B story (Ch 8 to 16): Arowhena and love. Fun and games (Ch 9 to 20): learning …
The Last ManScience fictionOpening image (Chapter 1): Lionel as outcast. Inciting incident (Chapter 2): Adrian arrives. B story (Chapter 4): Idris love. Fun and games (Chapters 5 to 6): happy marriage and family. Midpoint (Chapter 12): Raymond …
Through the Looking GlassFantasy and children'sThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (Chapter 1, mirror world); Inciting Incident (Chapter 1, passing through); B Story (Chapter 8, White Knight); Midpoint (Chapter 5, White Queen); Bad Guys Close In …
A Little PrincessFantasy and children'sOpening image (Ch 1): Sara arrives in London. Catalyst (Ch 7): Father dies, fortune lost. B story (Ch 3 to 5): Friendships with Ermengarde, Lottie, Becky. Fun and games (Ch 8 to 16): Servitude and survival. Midpoint (Ch …
The Jungle BookFantasy and children'sThe book does not follow Save the Cat beats cleanly. Mowgli's arc spans chapters 1 to 8 with inciting incident (1), first turning point (2), midpoint (3), low point (8), climax (7), and resolution (8). Other stories …
Five Children and ItFantasy and children'sThis book does not fit the Save the Cat structure. It lacks a clear B story, midpoint false victory, and dark night of the soul. Instead it follows a cyclical wish structure with a single climax in Chapter 11.
The Railway ChildrenFantasy and children'sOpening image (Ch 1): suburban comfort. Inciting incident (Ch 1): Father taken away. B story (Ch 3): old gentleman befriends them. Fun and games (Ch 2 to 9): railway adventures. Midpoint (Ch 10): Father's imprisonment …
The Princess and the GoblinFantasy and children'sOpening: Chapter 1 (world and danger). Catalyst: Chapter 6 (Curdie rescue). Debate: Chapters 10 to 11 (king doubts grandmother). Break into Two: Chapter 14 (creature attack forces action). B story: Chapter 21 (Irene and …
Peter and WendyFantasy and children'sOpening image (Ch 1), Call to adventure (Ch 3), Refusal (none explicit), Meeting mentor (Ch 3 with Peter), Crossing threshold (Ch 3), Tests and allies (Ch 5 to 11), Approach (Ch 12 to 14), Ordeal (Ch 15), Reward (Ch 15), …
The Worm OuroborosFantasy and children'sThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Opening Image (1), Inciting Incident (1), Debate (2 to 3), Break into Two (4), B Story (14 to 18 with Brandoch Daha), Fun and Games (22 to 26), Midpoint (25), Bad Guys Close In (28 to 50), …
Anne of Green GablesFantasy and children'sThe book follows Save the Cat beats: Opening Image (Chapter 1, Mrs. Lynde's world), Inciting Incident (Chapter 2, Matthew brings Anne home), Crossing the Threshold (Chapter 6, Marilla decides to keep her), B Story …
Black BeautyFantasy and children'sOpening image (ch 1): meadow peace. Catalyst (ch 4): sale to Squire Gordon. B story (ch 7 to 8): Ginger's friendship. Fun and games (ch 5 to 20): Birtwick happiness. Midpoint (ch 25): accident and injury. Bad guys close in …
MiddlemarchLiteraryOpening image: prelude on Saint Theresa (ch 1). Inciting incident: Casaubon's proposal (ch 5). B story: Lydgate's arrival and ambitions (ch 11 to 16). Fun and games: courtship and early marriage (ch 6 to 8, 28). Midpoint: …
Tess of the d'UrbervillesLiteraryThe book maps loosely to Save the Cat: Ordinary World (Chapters 1 to 3), Call to Adventure (Chapter 4), Refusal (Chapter 6), Crossing the Threshold (Chapter 11), Tests and Allies (Chapters 17 to 32), Approach (Chapter 33), …
Mrs DallowayLiteraryThe novel resists Save the Cat structure. Exposition (Sections 1 to 3), rising action (Sections 4 to 15), crisis (Section 16), climax (Section 20), and resolution (Section 21) are present but diffuse. The 'break into two' …
To the LighthouseLiteraryInciting incident: chapter 1 (promise and refusal). Turning point 1: chapter 15 (dinner party unity). Midpoint: chapter 19 (Mrs. Ramsay's death). Low point: chapter 27 (Lily's numbness). Climax: chapter 37 …
Anna KareninaLiteraryOpening image: happy families (Chapter 1). Inciting incident: Stepan's affair discovered (Chapter 1). Debate: Levin's courtship uncertainty (Chapters 5 to 12). Break into two: Levin proposes, rejected (Chapter 13). B …
Crime and PunishmentLiteraryOpening image (Ch 1): poor student in garret. Inciting incident (Ch 1): pawnbroker visit. Debate (Ch 2 to 5): fever and hesitation. Break into two (Ch 5): learns Lizaveta will be away. B story (Ch 2, 14, 24): Sonia's …
Madame BovaryLiteraryOpening image: Charles as awkward schoolboy (Ch 1). Inciting incident: Vaubyessard ball (Ch 7). B story: Léon's unrequited love (Ch 10 to 15). Fun and games: Rodolphe's seduction (Ch 16 to 18). Midpoint: Rodolphe's …
The Age of InnocenceLiteraryOpening image (Ch 1): Opera, innocence. Catalyst (Ch 1): Ellen's arrival. Debate (Chs 2 to 7): Should Ellen be accepted? Break into Two (Ch 8): Ellen invites Newland. B story (Chs 9 to 17): Ellen's divorce case. Fun and …
Silas MarnerLiteraryOpening image (Ch 1): Silas as outcast. Catalyst (Ch 4): gold stolen. B story (Ch 12): Eppie arrives. Fun and games (Ch 14): Silas raises Eppie. Midpoint (Ch 14): life transformed. Bad guys close in (Ch 18): …
Adventures of Huckleberry FinnLiteraryOpening image (Chapter 2), Call (Chapter 5), Refusal (Chapter 6), Mentor (Widow Douglas, Chapter 2), Crossing (Chapter 8), Tests (Chapters 13 to 31), Midpoint (Chapter 20), Bad guys close in (Chapter 32), All is lost …
HamletPlaysOpening image: ghost on platform (1). Inciting incident: ghost reveals murder (5). B story: Horatio as ally (2). Fun and games: Hamlet feigns madness, play staged (6 to 9). Midpoint: Claudius's guilt confirmed (9). Bad …
MacbethPlaysOpening image (scene 1); Call to adventure (scene 3, witches); Refusal (scene 7, Macbeth hesitates); Meeting mentor (Lady Macbeth pushes him); Crossing threshold (scene 9, Duncan murdered); Tests and allies (scenes …
Romeo and JulietPlaysOpening image: feud (chapter 1). Catalyst: Romeo attends feast (chapter 5). Debate: Romeo and Juliet's love versus family duty (chapters 6 to 8). Break into two: secret marriage (chapter 12). B story: Friar's plan …
OthelloPlaysOpening image: Iago's deception (1). Inciting incident: marriage revealed (1). Debate: Duke resolves marriage (3). Break into two: Othello sent to Cyprus (3). B story: Iago's manipulation (4 onward). Fun and games: …
A Midsummer Night's DreamPlaysOpening image (scene 1: Athens court). Catalyst (Hermia's defiance). Debate (Oberon's plan in scene 3). Break into two (lovers flee in scene 4). B story (craftsmen's play). Fun and games (chaos in wood, scenes 4 to 6). …
Twelfth NightPlaysAct I: exposition and setup. Act II: complications deepen. Act III: crisis and deception peak. Act IV: mistaken identity and secret marriage. Act V: revelation and resolution.
Doctor FaustusPlaysNot a feature of this book. Save the Cat's 15 beats are designed for prose narrative structure, not dramatic scripts with multiple scenes and subplots.
The Importance of Being EarnestPlaysOpening image: Jack's double life (Act I). Inciting incident: proposal and interrogation (Act I). B story: Algernon's Bunburying (Act I onwards). Fun and games: country house chaos (Act II). Midpoint: girls discover …
A Doll's HousePlaysOpening image: comfortable home (Act I). Catalyst: Krogstad's threat (Act I). B story: Christine and Krogstad's reconciliation (Act III). Fun and games: Christmas preparations and deception (Act I). Midpoint: …
Hedda GablerPlaysOpening image: Hedda in her new home (Act 1). Inciting incident: pistols and boredom (Act 1). B story: Brack's influence (Acts 1 to 4). Fun and games: manipulation of Lovborg (Act 2). Midpoint: manuscript burned (Act …
PygmalionPlaysOpening image: rainstorm in Covent Garden. Theme stated: speech determines class. Set up: Higgins meets Eliza. Catalyst: Higgins bets he can make her a duchess. Debate: Can she really be transformed? Break into two: …
The School for ScandalPlaysOpening image (1), Inciting incident (1), B story (2, 5), Fun and games (7 to 10), Midpoint (9), Bad guys close in (11), All is lost (11), Dark night (11), Break into three (12), Finale (12 to 13), Final image (13).
Share: XBlueskyLinkedInEmail

Weekly email: coming soon

One short email a week on new AI tools for authors. Sign up opens soon.