great story helps connect people to a desired outcome that informs thinking, influences behavior, or inspires action. Stories can either slow down or leverage assumptions. Unexpected plot points and the “I didn’t see that coming!” moments disrupt assumptions and force the brain out of lazy mode. The same is true when you build tension and highlight

To study how to craft a great third act, you have to look specifically at the endings that work for you. · ASSIGNMENT: If you haven’t done it already, stop now, and make your personal list of ten best endings.

This serves two purposes. For starters, it gives you an easy way to see the big-picture of your story and to identify any problems it has without having to sift through your entire manuscript to find them. Second, it forces you to think about your story in a new way. By the end of this process, you’ll find that you see your story in a new light,