Split

Disciplines > Storytelling > Story devices > Split

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

In a split, the story breaks into sub-segments that are told separately and which may well include complete sub-plots.

The split can happen from the beginning, with separate stories being told, but which later come together.

Example

In Lord of the Rings, the party splits after their first real encounter with Orcs, with Frodo and Sam heading off to Mordor, Merry and Pippin being captured by Orcs and Strider, Legolas and Gimli chasing after the Orcs. Gandalf, also has a separate trajectory after 'coming back from the dead'.

In Love, Actually, a number of separate stories are told, that occasionally intertwine and meet one another.

Discussion

Split stories are often told in fragments that leave each fragment at a cliffhanger before going back to catch up on another sub-story. This leads to significant excitement as the audience is left wondering what will happen to each of the hung sub-plots.