The first act establishes the foundation of your story. It lays out the chessboard and all the pieces that will figure into your narrative. A strong setup is crucial as you transition into the first part of the second act and start to move those pieces into a conflict that will gradually build to a climax and resolution. Understanding how to write a great First Pinch Point is the initial step.
Continuing our series on story structure, I’ll show you how to write a great First Pinch Point. I’ll share helpful tips and story examples to illustrate key principles that will enable you to craft your best story.
Five Ways To Write A Great First Pinch Point:
- Action + Reaction
- Clues + Foreshadowing
- Antagonists + Opposition
- Internal + External Stakes
- Growth + Motivation
What Is The First Pinch Point?
The First Pinch Point marks the start of the second act and is mainly intended to “pinch” the protagonist. It reminds them of the formidable antagonists and obstacles and of what’s at stake if they fail to achieve their goals. It also foreshadows the central turning point at the Midpoint of the second act. Like all major structural beats, it should primarily concentrate on the core conflict between the protagonist and the antagonistic force.
It should also propel the evolving plot while emphasizing the gradual emotional and internal transformation of your protagonist. Each scene should represent a progressive arc that rises until it culminates at the climax.
Action + Reaction
The First Pinch point begins as your protagonist reacts to the events of the inciting incident and the first plot point. It should reveal key information about the opposition, triggering a cycle of action and reaction that slowly builds to a climax.
In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones travels to Nepal to obtain the headpiece to the Staff of Ra. Indy immediately feels the pinch when his old flame, Marion Ravenwood, turns him away. But when Nazi agents descend on Marion’s bar to steal the relic, Indy is forced to come to her rescue.
This First Pinch Point triggers the cycle of action and reaction that propels the remainder of the second act. This is shown in every action Indy takes as he races to stay one step ahead of the Nazis. Every altercation, clue, and obstacle contributes to another beat that continuously drives the narrative forward.
Clues + Foreshadowing
One key function of the First Pinch Point is to lay the groundwork for the second act while offering clues and foreshadowing how the external and internal conflicts will ultimately be resolved and how they tie to the central theme.
In Mission: Impossible, Ethan Hunt is unexpectedly thrust into an inciting incident that leads to the deaths of everyone on his IMF team. As the sole survivor, Hunt contacts Director Kittridge, who arranges a meeting at a restaurant. Clues emerge, indicating that the entire operation was a setup. A ruse to uncover the identity of a mole whom Kittridge suspects is colluding with an arms dealer named Max. Ethan feels the pinch when he realizes that Kittridge suspects him of being the mole.
This brief exchange reveals key clues that foreshadow Ethan’s need to contact Max so he can find the real mole. He also learns that the actual NOC list is secured at Langley, indicating his need to assemble a rogue team of agents to infiltrate the facility and retrieve the list to clear his name.
Antagonists + Opposition
The First Pinch Point is where your protagonist begins to feel the ‘pinch’ of the opposition and antagonistic force. The antagonist doesn’t have to be physically present, but their presence and agenda should be felt.
In The Dark Knight, Batman, Police Sergeant Gordon, and District Attorney Harvey Dent form a pact to dismantle Gotham City’s organized crime syndicates. Through their coordinated efforts, they manage to gather the evidence needed to make numerous arrests. But, in the aftermath of their crusade, a new foe emerges, and Batman begins to feel the pinch when the Joker threatens to kill innocent civilians every day until Batman reveals his true identity.
As Batman, Bruce Wayne believes he can confront the Joker in the same way he has confronted other criminals. However, Alfred quickly highlights that the Joker is different from any criminal he has encountered before.
This is an excellent example of how to convey your antagonist’s presence effectively. As an agent of chaos, the Joker stands in opposition to Batman’s quest for law and order. This central conflict ultimately propels the story toward its inevitable climax.
Internal + External Stakes
Building on the momentum of the previous story beats, the First Pinch Point is another moment that emphasizes and raises the internal and external stakes, reminding the protagonist of what will happen if they fail.
In Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke Skywalker joins Ben Kenobi on a mission to deliver the secret plans for the Empire’s ultimate weapon to the struggling Rebel Alliance. But, as they travel to Alderaan to deliver the plans to Princess Leia’s father, Governor Tarkin uses the full power of the Death Star as an object lesson to demonstrate the lengths the Empire is willing to go to achieve complete control of the galaxy.
The audience feels the pinch as Alderaan is obliterated in a single stroke. It serves as a harsh reminder of what will happen if Luke and his companions fail to use the plans to destroy the Death Star.
Growth Motivation
The First Pinch Point should also hint at your protagonist’s growth. Their motivations may still be hindered by their own inner struggles, but each choice and every lesson learned will begin to shape them into who they were meant to be.
In Top Gun, we follow the exploits of fighter pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he and his radar officer Goose are selected to attend Top Gun to compete against America’s top aviators. However, Maverick’s reckless behavior and general disregard for authority quickly land him in trouble, jeopardizing his chance at glory. After he is reprimanded for violating protocols related to the designated flight deck, he and Goose risk being expelled from the flight school. That’s when Maverick faces some stern words from his rival, Iceman.
This pinch causes Maverick to recognize the magnitude of his mistakes and their impact on others. It beautifully illustrates his inner struggle to prove himself while suggesting the transformation he must undergo to survive Top Gun and become the pilot he was destined to be.
Summing it up
Transitioning from the first to the second act requires understanding how to write a great First Pinch Point. Use it to reveal crucial clues and foreshadow the change and growth your protagonist must undergo to confront the overwhelming opposition that stands in their way. Including these elements ensures you’ll have a strong foundation to support the remainder of your second act.
Use these tips and let me know if they work for you. Next month, we’ll explore the Midpoint, the next beat in the three-act story structure. Until then, keep striving toward your goals. And above all, keep writing!
Until next time,
