ABSTRACT
Most stories set up the hero’s viewpoint on the first page. Ordinary People’s structure was no exception. The point of attack was obligatory. The choice of structuring successfully gained empathy for Conrad and reinforced the central theme. Conflict is created by selecting events that have inherent conflict which serve the story and dramatize the forces hitting against each other. The rule is, the more conflict there is, the better it engages the audience. The obligatory scene is mandated by the central theme. Most obligatory scenes are found in the third act. Inductive stories also include obligatory scenes. Most dramatic films follow a three-act structure. A screenplay must have conflict, structure, and characters who engage the audience while giving us insight into the human condition.
