changingminds.org

How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

| Menu | Quick | Books | Share | Search | Settings |

Tension-Resolution Pairs

 

Disciplines > Storytelling > Storytelling articles > Tension-Resolution Pairs

 

The fundamental pattern of all stories is tension and resolution. A wrong is done, creating tension, then the wrong is righted, creating the relief and closure of resolution. The stimulation of emotion that this creates leads to a sense of pleasure in the reader or observer.

Tension and resolution thus largely appears in matching pairs. However, few if any stories have a single pair, although many have a major pair with other pairs being used to keep the excitement going throughout the story.

Here is a big list of tension-resolution pairs that cover many story patterns.

  • Attack - Defeat

  • Attack - Defend

  • Attack - Repulse

  • Attack - Victory

  • Betrayal - Restoration

  • Betrayal - Retribution

  • Capture - Escape

  • Capture - Rescue

  • Chase - Capture

  • Chase - Escape

  • Conquest - Revolt

  • Corruption - Redemption

  • Death - Rebirth

  • Defend - Defeat

  • Defend - Victory

  • Destruction - Restoration

  • Discovery - Exploitation

  • Discovery - Loss

  • Dislike - Like

  • Inadequacy - Transformation

  • Ignorance - Illumination

  • Illumination - Seeking

  • Loss - Search

  • Need - Gain

  • Need - Relief

  • Need - Seek

  • Revelation - Transformation

  • Search - Discovery

  • Seek - Find

  • Shame - Redemption

  • Suppression - Rebellion

  • Threat - Averted

  • Threat - Salvation

  • Threat - Defense

  • Trust - Betrayal

  • Unrealized - Realized

  • Wrong - Righted

Tension-resolution pairs in a story can be written in a notation system that uses an indentation system taken from the field of computer programming. This uses a few simple rules:

1. Each tension and resolution goes on a new line.

2. When a new tension arises before a previous tension is resolved, it is indented by four more spaces

3. The resolution that closes a tension sits vertically beneath it, at the same indent level.

See also

Tension principle, Closure principle

 

Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

You can buy books here

More Kindle books:

And the big
paperback book


Look inside

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

* Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed

Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed