How to Write the First Plot Point of Your Story

Plot points are major events in a story that change the course of the plot as a whole. Often, they serve as catalysts for character development. Thus, plot points are typically exciting narrative moments in novel writing or in screenwriting that represent major turning points for your main characters.

The first plot point in a story serves as the point of no return for the main character. It occurs in the first act (usually around a quarter or a third of the way through the story) and propels the main character into the central conflict of the story, breaking away from the status quo. The first plot point is usually the first significant event of the story, and it launches the protagonist’s story arc. The consequences of the first plot point usually lead to the first pinch point, in which the protagonist faces intense pressure as a result of the first plot point.

An effective first plot point serves as the catalyst for adventure for your protagonist. Here are some tips for writing a great first plot point:

1. 1. Recognize that placement is key. The first plot point marks the end of the first act and serves as a bridge into act two. In three-act structure, the placement of plot points is critical, and the unusual positioning of this first major turning point can have an adverse ripple effect on the rest of the story structure. If the first key event comes too late, your first act can feel tedious. If it comes too early, the second act can feel bloated while the first act seems rushed. Typically, when structuring your novel, you’ll want to ensure that the first major plot point happens around a quarter of the way through the story. That’s the point in the story where fiction writers and screenwriters typically break into act two when outlining their plot structure.
2. 2. Make sure your first plot point provides emotional stakes. The first plot point is the moment that everything changes for your character. It’s an inciting incident that pushes them toward the middle of the story and beyond. In Star Wars, for instance, Luke Skywalker’s discovery that his aunt and uncle has been murdered provides him with an emotional reason to accompany Obi-Wan to Alderaan. The first plot point should not only move the story forward but should also provide an emotional foundation to justify your main character’s decision-making.
3. 3. Use the first plot point to change your character’s surroundings. Your first plot point provides an opportunity to take your protagonist to new surroundings. Sometimes this means sending them to a new world, while other times it means changing the characters who surround them. Either way, the first plot point is the moment that your protagonist leaves the everyday world laid out in the first chapter. In the Harry Potter series, Harry’s discovery that he is a wizard impels him toward Hogwarts to begin his new life of magic.
4. 4. Ensure that the consequences of refusal are dire. Since the first plot point represents the point of no return, your character should have a strong reason to set out on their adventure. That means that the consequences for refusal should be dire—or even fatal. In the thriller genre, the first plot point often takes the form of a life-or-death confrontation with a villain, or a ticking clock that forces the main character to act quickly to save their own life. Either way, readers must feel that the protagonist’s only possible path is forward through the subplots, obstacles, and plot twists of the second and third acts.
   

Become a better writer with the Masterclass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by literary masters, including Neil Gaiman, David Baldacci, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, Margaret Atwood, David Sedaris, and more.