What’s An Act, What’s A Plot Point And What’s A Beat?

An act in a novel is one of the fundamental structural blocks that separates the narrative into parts with their own purpose and focus. Typically, novels follow a three–act structure, although some people find it easier to think in terms of four acts.

Act One, the first 25% of the book, is the Set–Up. This act introduces the characters, the setting, and the Quest, formulating the premise of the novel. Act Two, the middle 50% of the book, is the Confrontation, where the protagonist meets new characters, confronts major challenges and engages with various subplots that enrich and drive the narrative, usually ending with a significant crisis. Act Two is sometimes divided into two acts, because halfway through, which is also the halfway point of the novel, is the Midpoint. Act Three, the last 25%, is the Resolution, bringing the central conflict to its climax and close. Acts structure the story and give each part of the book a distinct character and function, and so create a satisfying narrative arc.

There should always be some action around the end of acts, and usually there should be something happening halfway through each of the four phases of a novel (in a three–act structure, Act One/Act Two – first half pre–Midpoint/Act Two – second half post–Midpoint/Act Three). All this will be fully explained, including how to use these structures in different acts and chapters of a novel, later.

Plot points and beats serve similar functions but they are not quite the same.

A plot point is a significant event (a piece of action, some emotional breakthrough, a decision to do something, a reveal of information) in the narrative that propels the story forward and often marks a turning point in the protagonist's journey. They usually take place at specific, recognized points in the narrative, such as the end of acts, and have specific functions. They introduce new conflicts, they heighten stakes, and they propel the narrative into its next phase.

A beat is also a moment of action, decision, breakthrough or revelation. Beats are the building blocks of scenes and chapters. However, beats can be quite small and not decisively alter the course of the narrative, though they will almost certainly affect it.

This is an excerpt from How To Write A Novel Chapter By Chapter available here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Novel-Chapter-Outlining-ebook/dp/B0DJ8TMVWL?ref_=ast_author_mpb

You can also check out our other services, Mentoring and Manuscript Review, on the links above.