Fouract

Fouract is a narrative framework used in drama, film, and media studies that divides a story into four distinct acts. The model emphasizes a steady progression from setup to resolution, with each act driving forward character goals and escalating conflict.

Act I typically establishes the world, introduces main characters, and presents the inciting incident that disrupts the status quo. Act II deepens the conflict and develops subplots, often featuring rising action and a mid-point reversal that tests the protagonist. Act III centers on a major crisis or turning point, forcing a decision or sacrifice. Act IV resolves remaining tensions through climax and denouement, providing closure for subplots and character arcs.

Although the four-act structure is not as widely codified as the traditional three-act or five-act forms, it has gained traction in modern screenwriting and television planning as a flexible alternative that suits serialized and episodic formats. Proponents argue it offers clear pacing and a balanced distribution of setup, complication, and resolution, while critics say it can feel prescriptive if applied without attention to character-beat nuance.

Variations of the four-act approach may insert a deliberate midpoint twist between Acts II and III or split the second act into two halves with distinct tonal shifts. Some writers align Act boundaries with commercial breaks in television or with act-closers that signal shifts in protagonist intention.

In practice, fouract is used as an outline tool, a beat sheet, or a macro-structure for screenplay and playwriting. It can help teams coordinate pacing across scenes, ensure character goals align with plot propulsion, and simplify revision by clarifying the function of each act.

See also: Act structure, Three-act structure, Five-act structure, Narrative arc.