Today, we’re talking about the Third Plot Point—arguably the most important plot point in your story (and also my favorite). It’s vital that you get this plot point right, so stay tuned as we dive right in.

Between the Second Pinch Point and the Third Plot Point, there is going to be more victory for your MC. Sure, he’s still struggled, but it’s mostly been an upward climb. He’s feeling pretty good about himself… he thinks he can take a little bit of the Truth, yet still keep his Lie. And, outwardly, it does appear to be working. Maybe… just maybe this will actually work.

This point in the story is often where we find something called the False Victory. Either your MC believes they have won (by defeating the antagonist—or who appears to be the antagonist, or gaining their Want—or appearing to have gained their Want, etc.), or victory seems to be very close at hand.

More than any other time in the story, everything seems to be going exactly as the MC planned.

In “Beyond the Mask” Will meets up with Charlotte at the Mayor’s Ball, planning to put a stop to George Washington’s assassination, defeat Charles Kemp, and redeem himself—all at the same time.

In “In Time of Need,” the False Victory actually takes place after the Midpoint. Since this is a short story, it works out, and the Second Pinch Point leads right into the Third Plot Point.

This is where the Third Plot Point strikes, and the 3^rd Act begins. This plot point is also refered to as the Low Point, Low Moment, or the Dark Night of the Soul. If you can picture their character arc as a line graph, this is where they hit rock bottom.

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of the Third Plot Point, I do want to mention one more thing. While, at any time during the story, you should be bringing together different elements from the backstory and from earlier in the story, the Third Plot Point is the best place to do this.

Step back and look at your story. What are some important elements from earlier on? Perhaps the MC and a relationship character have a particular saying they quote. Perhaps a Bible verse was read in an earlier scene. Perhaps a supporting character wears a signature, tattered baseball cap. Or maybe your antagonist—unknown to the MC earlier—said something cryptic in the First Act.

Whatever it may be, take that to its full extent and potential during the Third Plot Point and Climax (which we’ll talk about next time). The saying ends up coming true in an unusual and powerful way (or perhaps ends up being false). The MC recalls the Bible verse during the low moment, and it helps him turn to Christ. The tattered baseball cap floats gently on top of the water after the supporting character tragically drowns. The antagonist reveals the meaning of his cryptic message, and it turns out to be something the MC never expected.

Drawing from different moments during the story can make things flow better, and can also help your audience better understand the plot. As a bonus, items, events, or words with symbolic meaning attached to them can illustrate the Theme, the Truth, and the Lie more clearly.

There are several elements that will help produce a truly spectacular Third Plot Point, so let’s take a look at them:

1. Defeat/Failure

Following the False Victory, your MC will experience both defeat and failure. The defeat will come from the antagonist finally gaining the upper hand, while the failure will come from the MC making some kind of mistake or bad decision.

Plotwise, this will result in the MC becoming trapped—with seemingly no way out. From the character arc angle, this will cause the MC to see their Lie for what it really is… and the path down which is leads (more on this later). This works perfectly because the antagonist—who defeated the MC—represents the Lie (or a worse version of it), and the MC failed because of their belief in the Lie.

Any way you look at it, the Lie is responsible for the defeat and failure in the Third Plot Point. And, while the MC has been ignoring that fact the entire story, it’s now too obvious to deny.

In “Beyond the Mask,” Will is defeated when Charles Kemp convinces George Washington that he is responsible for the assassination attempt—and for the other crimes associated with the EIC. Will knows that he is also to blame, however, because he waited to turn in Kemp in order to redeem his own name. As a result, Will is sentenced to hanging and shoved into a prison carriage—while Kemp remains free to carry out his plans.

In “In Time of Need,” the defeat came at the end of the Second Pinch Point, when Tad is forced to flee from the tenement house, leaving Ava in the clutches of Mr. Beasley. He tries to find Reverend Sheppard, but the church is empty. Tad then realizes that he could have avoided it all if only he had accepted the help when it was offered to him.

When deciding what kind of defeat your MC should encounter at the Third Plot Point, think about what is most dear to him. Think about what he cares about most in the world. And then take it from him.

That sounds a little harsh, doesn’t it? Well, yes, but it’s the only way your MC is going to learn his lesson. You must strip him of everything, leaving him in the dust to face himself for who he really, truly is.

The thing dearest to Will is obviously Charlotte. So, what happens? She is utterly horrified that he would let people die to earn his own redemption, and chooses not to speak up on his behalf. Kemp sums it up when he tells Will, “You and Charlotte were never the same sort.”

The thing Tad most cares about is his sister. And now he’s come to the realization that his stubbornness has gotten her locked away in some dark room in the tenement house, while he is powerless to save her.

2. Plot revelation

This element is optional, but some type of revelation at the Third Plot Point can often help to drive in the sense of defeat. This revelation can have to do with the antagonist—who he is, or the full extent of his plans. It also could pertain to a supporting character… perhaps they betray the MC in some way. Often, the plot revelation has something to do with the MC’s past.

This plot revelation will have been foreshadowed all along, but the MC will be totally stunned by it. As the writer, you can choose to allow the audience to see the revelation coming, or you can keep it hidden from them, as well.

In “Beyond the Mask,” Will produces the papers that he staked his life on, only to realize that Kemp had switched them earlier with blank pages. This is something that he never bargained for, and leaves him reeling.

In “In Time of Need,” there is no plot revelation. This story is generally focused more on internal conflict than external, so there’s no need for a revelation. If your story is also more centered on the character arc rather than the plot, it’s perfectly acceptable to choose to forgo a plot revelation.

3. Death

The Third Plot Point is where death is going to be represented in some way. This is often where you see the death of a supporting character or the impending death of either the MC or a supporting character. However, if you don’t want to include physical death in this part of the story, you can also use symbolism to represent it.

In “Beyond the Mask,” Will’s sentence to death—as well as the deaths that will happen as a result of Kemp’s plans—bring an even more serious shadow over the Third Plot Point.

In “In Time of Need,” death is represented symbolically as Tad’s dreams and plans come crashing down around him.

4. The Truth vs. the Lie

This dichotomy has been the crowning jewel of the entire story. Throughout the ups and downs, the conflict between the Truth and the Lie has always been there. And now, we get to see it presented right in front of us. The Truth—in all of its brilliant colors and costly sacrifices—and the Lie—in all of its empty, enslaving ways, and its offer of security.

The MC will finally see that he can’t have both… he must choose one or the other. Either he can continue to believe his Lie—which got him into the mess he’s now in—or he believes the Truth.

In “Beyond the Mask,” we see the Truth portrayed when Charlotte tells Will: “Don’t you know? Neither redemption—nor love—can ever be earned. You have but to ask. They’re both gifts… gifts to be granted freely from the heart of God. And from my heart to yours.”

Contrasting that, the Lie is also stated. When Basil, the right-hand man, tells Kemp, “You’re a genius, sir,” Kemp responds by saying, “No, it was easy, actually. He was in business for himself all along.”

In “In Time of Need,” Tad reflects on his situation, clearly stating the Truth and the Lie.

5. The Want vs. the Need

This is another conflict that has been there since the beginning of the story. Remember the two types of Wants that we discussed at the beginning of this series? Well, this is where the MC is going to realize that he must let go of the Want altogether (or that he must first embrace the Need before he can gain the Want).

In “Beyond the Mask,” the reverend who visits Will reiterates what Charlotte had earlier told him—that he cannot gain redemption until he gains salvation through Christ.

In “In Time of Need,” Tad realizes that he cannot gain total protection for his sister. Instead, he must embrace the Need of salvation in order to realize that he and Ava will be safe in God’s hands wherever they are.

6. The choice

Your Third Plot Point has come down to this moment right here. The MC is at the very bottom, and it would seem that all is lost. He’s now faced with the Truth vs. the Lie and the Want vs. the Need. What will he choose?

In a Positive Change Arc, he chooses Truth. Truth over life, over victory, over his Want, over all of his goals. Because he’s now come to realize that the Truth is priceless. He’s committed to what Proverbs says, “Buy the truth and sell it not.” And there’s no turning back.

In “Beyond the Mask,” Will finally recognizes that he has “strived in vain” to earn redemption. He realizes that the price for redemption has already been paid, and trusts in Jesus alone to save him.

In “In Time of Need,” Tad sees his need for help from above. He stops rejecting the pardon offered him, and finally receives security of the soul through salvation.

The Third Plot Point, as I said before, is probably the most important plot point in your story, so don’t be afraid to give it everything you’ve got. Make it as memorable and impacting as you can. If you’ve done it right, your audience will be immersed in the story, embracing the Truth right along with the MC.

Here are a few more Third Plot Points to look at:

1. Judah wins the race; he realizes that revenge didn’t satisfy him (“Ben-Hur”)

2. Carl abandons Kevin to save his burning house (“Up”)

3. Uncle Billy loses the $8,000; Clarence jumps into the river to save George (“It’s a Wonderful Life”)

4. Riley decides to run away; Joy and Bing-Bong are stuck in the memory dump (“Inside Out”)

Comment below your favorite book or movie’s Third Plot Point!