Understanding Circular Story Structure and the Art in Storytelling

Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do in film, whether it’s a short film, a feature-length movie, or a documentary. It’s the art of taking an audience on a journey through emotions, twists, and turns. One of the most compelling structures used in storytelling is the circular story structure. This narrative technique has been employed in countless films and books, providing a sense of closure, theme, and sometimes, a twist. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the concept of circular storytelling and how it enhances narratives.

1. What Is Circular Story Structure?

Circular story structure refers to a narrative arc that ends where it begins, often creating a sense of completeness or a cyclical return. In this type of story, the main character may face challenges, grow, or learn something new, but they ultimately end up back in a place similar to where they started—though with new knowledge or perspective.

This technique can be used in various genres, from drama to comedy to thriller, and it’s effective in stories where the emphasis is on personal growth, fate, or inevitability.

2. Key Characteristics of Circular Story Structure

• Starting Point: The story begins with the character in a certain environment or state of mind.

• Journey: The character goes through a series of events or challenges that force them to grow or change.

• Resolution/Return: The character returns to the starting point—whether literally or figuratively—having learned something new or achieved their goal.

The beauty of the circular structure is that it highlights the contrast between the character's initial state and their final state. Although they end up back where they began, they are no longer the same person. This provides a deep emotional resonance and makes the story feel complete.

3. Examples of Circular Storytelling in Film

Some classic examples of circular storytelling in cinema include:

• The Lion King: Simba starts out as a young lion who runs away from responsibility, only to return later to take his place as king.

• The Truman Show: Truman begins his life in an artificial world, and although he escapes it, he ends up making the choice to return, gaining self-awareness in the process.

• Inception: The film’s ending, with the spinning top, brings the audience back to the beginning, leaving the nature of reality ambiguous.

4. How Circular Story Structure Enhances Your Film

Circular storytelling can add depth and complexity to your narrative. It helps create symmetry within your story, providing a satisfying conclusion. It also allows filmmakers to explore themes of fate, change, and self-discovery, which resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

By carefully planning the beginning, middle, and end of your story to reflect this circular structure, you can create a narrative that feels intentional and meaningful.

5. When to Use Circular Storytelling

Not every story needs a circular structure. This type of narrative works best when your story revolves around a character’s transformation or a larger thematic idea like destiny or life's cyclical nature. If your story focuses on change, personal growth, or self-realisation, a circular structure might be the perfect fit.

Alternatives to Circular Storytelling

1. Linear Storytelling (Classic Three-Act Structure)

The most common and traditional form of storytelling is the linear structure. In this format, the story progresses chronologically from the beginning to the middle, and then to the end. This structure is often used in mainstream films, especially in genres like drama, action, and romance.

Key Elements of the Linear Story Structure:

• Act 1: Setup: Introduces the characters, setting, and the central conflict or problem.

• Act 2: Confrontation: The protagonist faces escalating obstacles, leading to the midpoint (a major turning point).

• Act 3: Resolution: The story reaches its climax and concludes with the resolution of the conflict.

Examples of Linear Storytelling:

• The Godfather: We follow Michael Corleone’s gradual involvement in his family's crime business, where each event leads logically to the next.

• Titanic: The story progresses from the beginning where we meet the characters to the middle (relationship development and the ship's sinking), and the resolution (survival and aftermath).

Why Use Linear Storytelling?

Linear storytelling is ideal when you want to take your audience on a clear, straightforward journey with a beginning, middle, and end. It's great for character-driven plots, where the focus is on the character's development or the resolution of a central conflict.

2. Non-Linear Storytelling (Non-Chronological Narrative)

In non-linear storytelling, the events of the story are not presented in chronological order. The narrative may jump back and forth in time, creating a fragmented or disjointed feel. This structure is often used to create suspense, reveal information slowly, or create a sense of mystery.

Key Elements of Non-Linear Storytelling:

• Flashbacks or Flash-forwards: The story may shift between past, present, and future events.

• Multiple Timelines: Different storylines may be happening simultaneously in different time periods.

• Fragmented Narrative: The film might jump between different scenes, forcing the audience to piece together the timeline.

Examples of Non-Linear Storytelling:

• Pulp Fiction: Quentin Tarantino’s iconic film is known for its non-linear storytelling. The story unfolds in a series of interwoven episodes that aren't told in chronological order, keeping the audience engaged as the narrative puzzles itself together.

• Memento: This film by Christopher Nolan plays with time, telling the story in reverse to reflect the protagonist's short-term memory loss. It constantly shifts between past and present, allowing the audience to experience the same confusion and disorientation as the main character.

Why Use Non-Linear Storytelling?

Non-linear storytelling is great for creating suspense and mystery, keeping the audience guessing about what will happen next. It allows filmmakers to gradually reveal crucial information and build complexity into the narrative. It's often used in thrillers, mysteries, and psychological dramas where the story’s central tension revolves around a puzzle or hidden truths.

3. The Hero’s Journey (Monomyth)

The Hero’s Journey is a narrative structure identified by scholar Joseph Campbell, which follows the protagonist through a series of stages in their transformation. This is an archetypal storytelling structure that has been used in myths, legends, and modern films, particularly in adventure, fantasy, and sci-fi genres.

Key Elements of the Hero’s Journey:

• The Call to Adventure: The hero receives a call to leave their ordinary world and embark on a journey.

• Trials and Challenges: Along the way, the hero faces various tests, enemies, and personal challenges.

• The Mentor: A guiding figure helps the hero on their journey.

• The Crisis: A pivotal moment where the hero faces their greatest challenge or fear.

• The Return: After overcoming the crisis, the hero returns home, transformed.

Examples of the Hero’s Journey:

• Star Wars: A New Hope: Luke Skywalker receives the call to adventure, faces trials with Obi-Wan and Han Solo, and ultimately confronts Darth Vader and the Empire.

• The Lord of the Rings: Frodo Baggins follows the Hero’s Journey structure, with his call to destroy the One Ring, the mentor in Gandalf, and his trials with Sam and others, culminating in his return home after the mission is complete.

Why Use the Hero’s Journey?

The Hero’s Journey works well for stories that focus on the personal growth of the protagonist, often portraying their transformation from an ordinary individual to a hero. It's used in epic stories of adventure and personal development and can resonate with audiences on a deep emotional level, especially in stories of self-discovery, fate, and destiny.

4. The Fichtean Curve

The Fichtean Curve is a more compact and intense structure often used in action-oriented films or thrillers. Rather than having clear, separate acts, the narrative is designed to escalate tension rapidly and continuously, keeping the viewer engaged throughout. The story builds through a series of crises that lead to the climax, without significant breaks in the action.

Key Elements of the Fichtean Curve:

• Rising Action: The story quickly builds tension from the outset, with immediate conflict or challenges.

• Continuous Crisis: Every new event leads directly into the next, raising the stakes at every point.

• Climax: The narrative culminates in a single, intense moment of high conflict or revelation.

Examples of the Fichtean Curve:

• Die Hard: The film doesn’t waste time on unnecessary setup—immediately, the conflict is introduced, and each scene builds on the previous one until the final showdown.

• Mad Max: Fury Road: There is little downtime, and the plot continuously escalates as the characters are constantly in danger, culminating in an explosive climax.

Why Use the Fichtean Curve?

The Fichtean Curve is ideal for stories that are high-paced, action-driven, or designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. It’s particularly useful in films where constant conflict, tension, or danger are central to the plot.

5. The Inverted Pyramid (Journalistic Structure)

The inverted pyramid structure, often used in journalism, places the most important information or the most dramatic moments at the beginning, followed by supporting details and background information. In storytelling, this approach can be used for films or documentaries that rely on delivering key information upfront to immediately hook the audience.

Key Elements of the Inverted Pyramid:

• Lead: Start with the most essential information or the key event that drives the story.

• Details: Follow with the context and details that expand upon the initial reveal.

• Conclusion: End with less essential but informative content or wrap-up that provides closure.

Examples of the Inverted Pyramid:

• News Documentaries: These often use the inverted pyramid structure to immediately present the most shocking or important piece of information before delving into background or additional context.

• Some True Crime Documentaries: They might open with the conclusion or major twist before delving deeper into the investigation.

Why Use the Inverted Pyramid?

This structure is great for stories where you need to immediately engage the audience with key information or a shocking revelation. It’s effective for stories with a strong central hook, where the dramatic tension lies in revealing critical facts early on.

Conclusion

While circular storytelling is powerful for themes of destiny and transformation, many other structures can help convey different messages and styles of storytelling. The linear structure provides a clear, traditional progression; the Hero’s Journey offers a transformative path for protagonists; the Fichtean Curve keeps tension high and unrelenting; and the Inverted Pyramid ensures the audience is immediately hooked. The key is to choose the storytelling structure that best serves your narrative's themes and audience's expectations. Experiment with these structures, and you’ll find new ways to engage and entertain your audience.

These storytelling techniques provide alternatives to circular storytelling, each offering unique ways to frame your narrative depending on the emotional impact you want to achieve.