narrative-structure
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.
Best use case
narrative-structure is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
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.
Teams using narrative-structure should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/narrative-structure/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How narrative-structure Compares
| Feature / Agent | narrative-structure | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
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.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# 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 |
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