Unlock the Secrets of Great Turning Points in Writing and Life
Photo by Justin Luebke on Unsplash
When I first tried my hand at screenwriting and started reading books about the craft of storytelling, turning points were hard for me.
I never quite understood where an act began and ended. I often had a general idea, but that exact turning point from one act into another always seemed foggy. Elusive.
Of course, in my teens and early twenties, I was quick to skip the deep reading. I thought I could simply skim the big idea and get right to the action of writing.
So, maybe we should start with a definition or two.
What Is a Turning Point?
The dictionary on my computer defines one as “a time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs.”
Syd Field, who wrote one of the most well-known books on screenwriting refers to each turning point from one act into another as a plot point, which is “any incident, episode or event that hooks into the action and spins it around into another direction.”
The story changes direction.
It spins.
Turns.
But how do you catch it when it happens? When does a turning point occur?
Is it a change in setting? The arrival of new characters? The rise of different challenges and conflicts?
That could be part of it.
But think about your own life. These things change all the time. Where you go changes throughout any given day. Problems change. The people in your life change. And yet it can feel like you’re still on the same trajectory.
You know why?
Because you’re still you. Nothing has really turned.
For a true turning point to occur, it has to originate from within the protagonist.
The turn is an internal one.
It’s a change in mindset. A commitment to take specific action.
Of course, that internal shift, if serious, will manifest itself externally. It could be as overt as a farmer grabbing a sword and joining an army in battle or as subtle as a son resting a hand on his ill mother’s shoulder to let her know he’ll stay home to take care of her.
Turning points can be used in fiction, movies, video, poetry, theater. They can also apply to you.
When you learn to recognize turning points in other stories, you can begin recognizing potential turning points in your own life.
Turning Points and Story Structure
Turning points mark transitions between acts in a story.
What is an act?
It’s essentially a large chunk of story in which your protagonist moves in a particular direction.
If an act is a highway, turning points are the onramps to other highways or roads. And even though turning points can come in various forms, they often share common traits.
Take the first major turning point, where the story moves from the first act to the second. This moment, when executed effectively, is defined by the protagonist’s internal shift. That character has committed to accomplishing a goal.
And that goal is the promise of the story’s premise.
It happens when Luke Skywalker looks up at Obi Wan and says, “I want to come with you to Alderaan.” When Captain John Miller tells Sergeant Horvath that they’ll be taking a squad to find a Private named Ryan. When Harry asks if they’re becoming friends now, Sally says yeah, and Harry says, “Great. A woman friend.” And when Moana races away from her dying grandmother toward the ocean.
Once the second act gets going, there’s no question; Luke is committed to rescuing the princess. Captain Miller is committed to saving Private Ryan. Harry and Sally are committed to remaining friends. And Moana is determined to sail beyond the reef and return the heart of Te Fiti.
Later, as the story transitions toward its final act, there’s another turning point. This one is deeper. It’s a hero’s re-commitment to the journey, even after they’ve been beaten, battered, and given perfectly valid reasons to throw in the towel.
Maybe they nearly died. Maybe they lost someone they love. Maybe their efforts so far have only made things worse for themselves and everyone they care about. Yet, despite it all, they push forward, often for a greater cause than they’d expected.
Think Luke Skywalker committing to blow up the Death Star after the death of Obi Wan Kenobi. Or Captain John Miller staying with Private Ryan to defend a bridge. It’s Harry and Sally making one last attempt to save their friendship after sleeping together. And even though Maui abandoned her, it’s Moana setting out to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save the world .
What Makes a Turning Point Great?
How do you create a turning point that’s satisfying, compelling, and unforgettable? Here are some guiding principles:
There must be resistance before the decision. The decision to act cannot come easily. The hero needs to struggle, hesitate, and wrestle with their doubts. The greater the resistance, the more powerful the turning point will feel when it finally arrives. This is part of the hero earning their transformation.
The protagonist must make the decision. No one else can make it for them. They can’t be dragged into the next phase of the story against their will. Even if circumstances push them toward the decision, there must be a moment—a look, a gesture, a line—that shows they’ve consciously chosen to cross that threshold.
The decision must be clear and decisive. Ambiguity here weakens the story. The hero needs to want what comes next. The goal and their commitment to achieving that goal should be singularly focused. It’s all that matters. And the more passionately they commit, the more engaging their journey grows.
The decision must stay true to the protagonist. If the turning point feels out of character, the story risks losing its audience. For the decision to feel authentic, the hero must have a strong, compelling reason to act. Even as the protagonist makes a life-altering decision, their core self doesn’t fade. Their values remain intact—strengthened even—but their decision sets them on a path where believable growth can occur.
The decision should lead to a significant shift. After the first turning point, something must feel fundamentally different. The protagonist leaves their old world behind and enters a new realm—one that contrasts with the world they’re accustomed to. And if the world doesn’t change during a turning point, then the protagonist does.
Applying Turning Points to Real Life
Recognizing and crafting turning points in storytelling is about more than just plotting; it’s about understanding the emotional and psychological journey of your characters.
But what happens when you want to share a story and the main character is you? Well, those same principles can help you spot turning points in your own life.
Think about those periods in which you found yourself stuck. What happened in those moments when you switched directions and committed yourself to a new path?
And this doesn’t just apply to looking back to your past. Turning points might also be worth considering while charting a course and moving forward, especially when life seems to stall.
When you feel stuck, ask yourself: What internal shift needs to happen, right now? What do I need to commit to? And when I cross that threshold, what might be waiting for me on the other side?
It’s exciting to imagine.
Even more exciting to take action.
What action will you take?
