How to Structure Sequence 4:

Welcome back to our Structure Series. If you’ve been following along, you’ve seen how the spine of most stories falls into eight distinct sequences. These sequences divide the story into digestible movements, each one rising in tension and emotional shift.

If you’d like to go back to the first post in the 8-Sequence Structure Series, you can read it here…

To recap:

Act One contains Sequences 1 and 2, introducing the character’s world and launching the story with the Inciting Incident.

Act Two is made up of four sequences—3 through 6—which form the emotional and structural core of your story.

Act Three concludes with Sequences 7 and 8, racing toward the climax and resolution.

Today, we explore Sequence 4, the midpoint sequence, where everything changes.

The Role of Sequence 4 in Act Two

Sequence 4 leads into or centers around the Midpoint. The Midpoint is a pivotal beat. It alters the direction or stakes of the story.

Here, the character learns what they need to continue on in the story. Rather than react, they take matters into their own hands and act. This is where Act II is split in the middle. In Sequences 3 and 4, we’ve watched the character react. Now, after the midpoint, the character begins to act of their own accord.

So the Midpoint marks a shift from reaction to action.

Emotionally, they’ll experience frustration, wonder, humiliation, empowerment, or renewed drive. It’s super important that readers feel that shift.

Keep Emotion Front and Center

The reader must feel the midpoint, not just witness it. Ask yourself:

• What belief is being challenged?
• What new truth is coming to the character?
• How does this change their emotional investment?
• What emotion does the protagonist now carry forward that wasn’t there before?

Examples of Midpoint Emotional Shifts

In Finding Nemo, Marlin starts trusting Dory, revealing vulnerability. The plot moves ahead, but so does Marlin’s emotional arc: from control to trust.

Tips for Writing Sequence 4

1. Build to a clear Midpoint event. It should be emotionally resonant, not just structurally important.

2. Use dialogue or internal monologue to show emotional shift, not just action.

3. Let your character feel torn, surprised, emboldened, or afraid.

4. Give the reader a moment of insight. Something that may not fully pay off yet, but emotionally hooks them deeper.

Your Turn

As you write Sequence 4, try journaling from your protagonist’s point of view right before and right after the Midpoint. What do they believe now? What emotions are boiling under the surface? The more emotionally honest this beat is, the stronger your entire Act Two will become.

Happy Writing!

~ M.C. Convery