How to Structure Scenes: A Writer's Guide

Stories are built from scenes. A well-structured scene drives your plot forward while keeping readers engaged. Here's how to craft scenes that work.

What Is a Scene?

A scene is a unit of story that takes place in a continuous time and location. When the time or location changes significantly, a new scene begins. Scenes are the building blocks of chapters, acts, and ultimately your entire story.

The Scene-Sequel Pattern

Many writing teachers use the Scene-Sequel framework. A "Scene" (action) is followed by a "Sequel" (reaction). This creates a rhythm of tension and release.

The Scene (Action)

• Goal: What does the viewpoint character want? This should be clear to the reader early.
• Conflict: What obstacles stand in the way? This is the meat of the scene.
• Disaster: The character fails to achieve their goal, achieves it with unexpected consequences, or faces a new problem. This creates momentum.

The Sequel (Reaction)

• Reaction: Emotional response to the disaster. Let readers experience the character's feelings.
• Dilemma: What are the options? What are the stakes of each choice?
• Decision: The character chooses a new goal, launching the next scene.

Scene Structure Essentials

1. Start Late, Leave Early

Enter the scene as close to the action as possible. Skip arrivals, greetings, and setup unless they serve the story. End the scene when the main business is done—don't linger on goodbyes.

2. Every Scene Needs Purpose

Ask yourself: What does this scene accomplish? It should advance plot, reveal character, or both. If a scene does neither, cut it or combine it with another scene.

3. Conflict Is Required

No conflict, no scene. Conflict doesn't mean violence—it means opposing desires. Two characters might want different things. A character might struggle against nature, society, or themselves.

4. Characters Should Change

By the end of a scene, something should be different. The character learns something, loses something, gains something, or shifts emotionally. Scenes without change feel static.

Scene Questions Checklist

Before writing each scene, answer:

• Whose POV is this scene in?
• What does the POV character want?
• What's preventing them from getting it?
• What's at stake if they fail?
• How does this scene end differently than it began?
• What question does this scene raise for the reader?

Pacing Within Scenes

Control pacing through:

• Sentence length: Short sentences speed up. Longer sentences slow down.
• Dialogue vs. description: More dialogue speeds up; more description slows down.
• Scene length: Short scenes create urgency. Longer scenes allow deeper exploration.
• White space: Paragraph breaks create natural pauses. Use them strategically.

Transitions Between Scenes

Move smoothly between scenes:

• Use scene breaks (white space or symbols) for jumps in time/place
• Chapter breaks for larger transitions
• Match cuts: end one scene on an image or idea that the next scene picks up
• Avoid too many scenes in one location—variety keeps readers engaged

Related Resources

• Write Better Dialogue →
• Pacing Techniques →
• Show, Don't Tell →