Stakes & Consequences

What are the central stakes of the story?

How does this tie into the main conflict or central goal of the protagonist?

What does the protagonist stand to lose if they fail to overcome the conflict?

Write a short passage about it from the protagonist's POV.

What do they stand to gain if they succeed?

Write a short passage about it from the protagonist's POV.

How might other characters or the wider world be altered by the outcome of the conflict?

How does this increase or complicate the stakes for the protagonist?

How are the stakes introduced in Act 1?

What is at risk at this point if the protagonist fails?

What early consequences of engaging (or avoiding) the conflict emerge?

And how do the consequences of failure first become apparent in Act 1?

How do the stakes influence the protagonist’s motivations and choices?

Write a moment where the protagonist's internal conflict (fear, doubt, etc.) might complicate their approach to the stakes.

How do the protagonist and other characters respond?

E.g., do they realize yet what’s at risk if they fail to act?

How do the stakes escalate in Act 2?

What is at risk at this point if the protagonist fails?

How do the consequences of failure become clearer or more imminent in Act 2?

What potential revelations might make them worse?

What personal decisions does the protagonist make that increase the stakes in Act 2?

How does this choice push the protagonist closer to the potential consequences?

What else might also increase the stakes in Act 2?

Consider the antagonist, the supporting cast, external events, etc. that increase the personal, emotional, or societal stakes for the protagonist.

How do the stakes reach their highest point in Act 3?

What is at risk at this point if the protagonist fails?

How are the stakes resolved by the end of the story?

What happens to the protagonist’s goal and the threat they faced?

What are the consequences of resolving the conflict?

Is there a cost or sacrifice involved?

How does the resolution of the stakes impact the characters?

How does the resolution of the stakes reflect the characters’ growth?