Basic Structure issues in Writing

This past Tuesday I taught lesson two of my "Novel Writing Class" for Leslie's Tutoring in Port Orchard. We had a blast as usual but the wierd thing is that the topic is sometimes considereed a boring one: "Structure." The discussion can be a bit technical, I admit, but as with anything a person can be passionate about it doesn't have to be boring.

Anyway I say all that to say this: Here's a few additional bits I'd like to say about "Act" structure. Yes, every story should have 3 basic Acts. But what should characterize each of those Acts?

Act 1: The Set Up.
Your first Act is mainly about introduction. You're introducing characters, setting, and the plot (or basic direction of the story.) Action is appropriate here but it shouldn't be as prominent as it will be in Acts 2 & 3. With your "Set Up" you need to have Your Act 2 action and Act 3 climax in mind.

Act 2: The Action.
This is where the main bulk of story "happenings" take place. If your story is a Mystery, the mystery should have been introduced in Act 1 and essentially unravelled across Act 2. Most of the doing and thinking about the body of the story should come here. In Act 2 your story should really be building up a serious head of steam.

Act 3: The Resolution.
Here you should be prepared to tie up loose ends and bring resolution to the story's conflict. All of the "Set Up" and "Action" from the first two Acts comes to a head here and climaxes. Here you take all of the story you've built through set up and action and you bring them to a satisfying conclusion by addressing them and answering them with absolute irreversible change.

There you go. Hope that helps in your writing.