Four Throughlines

Every complete story consists of four throughlines. The Overall Story Throughline, which is an objective look at the problem affecting everyone in the story. The Main Character Throughline which obviously covers the central character with which the audience empathizes most with. The Impact Character Throughline who provides an alternate way of solving the problem at hand and a perspective different from the Main Character. Finally, there is the Subjective Story or Relationship Throughline – which covers the relationship between the Main Character and the Impact Character. Having all four of these in a story is required if the Author’s intention is to argue some greater meaning.

Overall Story

There are four major throughlines in every complete story. The Overall Story, or what is commonly referred to as the “A” story line or “headline,” often describes what the story is “all about.” It represents a very dispassionate view of the story’s problems as it steps back and looks at the characters as functions, almost like chess pieces on a board. From this perspective, names and personal problems are not as important as the character’s role and story function.