Using Frameworks to structure your story

What are Story Frameworks?

Story Frameworks are pre-built scene structures based on proven storytelling models — like the Hero's Journey, Three-Act Structure, AIDA, and more.

When you start a new project, instead of staring at a blank canvas, you can pick a framework and instantly get a set of scenes with titles and writing prompts to guide you through the story.

StoryTribe includes 47 frameworks across 5 categories — whether you're creating a brand video, a lesson plan, a product demo, or a short film.

How to get started

Create a new project and choose Start from a framework. You’ll be taken to the Overview tab, where you can browse and select a framework. Here’s how it works:

• Choose a framework — pick one of the 3 recommended frameworks, or click "View all structures" to browse all 47.
• Scenes are pre-structured — you’ll get a set of empty scenes with hints to guide your writing.
• Start writing or drawing — switch to writer view to flesh out the script, or jump to Canvas to start adding visuals.

The 7 categories

Frameworks are organised into 7 categories, each designed for different types of projects:

• 📖 Storytelling & Fiction — Hero's Journey, Three-Act Structure, Kishōtenketsu, In Medias Res, and more. For narrative-driven projects.
• 🔍 Reading & Analysis — Retell & Respond, Character Study, Two Sides of the Story, Theme Tracker, Author’s Craft, Text Comparison, Film Scene Analysis, and Advertisement Analysis.
• 📋 Information & Explanation — Information Report, Explanation Text, Sequence / Recount, News Report, Cause and Consequence, and Science Investigation Planner
• 🎯 Persuasion & Argument — Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, Ethos • Pathos • Logos, Contrast Principle, My Opinion, and Discussion / Balanced Argument.
• 🔧 Design & Planning — Hook • Teach • Apply • Review, Job to Be Done, User Journey Map, Scenario → Solution, IB PYP Inquiry Cycle, Documentary Planner, and Research Narrative.
• 📢 Commercial & Brand — Problem → Solution, Before → After → Bridge, AIDA, Story → Struggle → Solution, and Feature → Benefit → Proof
• 💚 Awareness & Wellbeing — Problem • Cause • Effect • Solution, Compare and Contrast, Freire’s Conscientization, Moral Dilemma, Digital Safety Story and Emotions / Feelings Journey

Writing hints

All frameworks come with built-in writing hints — short prompts that appear below each scene title to help you think about what belongs in that scene.

For example, the AIDA framework might prompt you with: "What is the most unexpected, provocative, or relatable thing you could open with?" for the Attention scene.

You can show or hide hints at any time using the toggle in the Overview or Writer toolbar.

Using frameworks with Writer view

After applying a framework, switch to Writer view to start filling in your script. Each scene appears as a card with the title, hints, and annotation fields ready to go.

Press Enter to move between fields, Shift + Enter to add a new line. Drag scenes to reorder. Click any canvas thumbnail to jump to the visual editor when you're ready.

Don't want a framework?

Frameworks are completely optional. You can always click "Start with a blank scene" on the framework picker, or skip straight to Canvas or Writer view from the view toggle.

You can also delete all scenes at any time from the "..." menu in Overview or Writer — this resets your project to a single blank scene and brings back the framework picker.

Quick recap

• 47 frameworks across 5 categories
• Pick one when you start a new project, or browse all from "View all structures"
• Scenes are pre-filled with titles and optional writing hints
• Works seamlessly with Canvas, Overview, and Writer views
• Completely optional — start blank if you prefer

Need help or found a bug?

If you notice anything not working as expected, please report it to [email protected]. Including a screenshot or short video recording helps us resolve issues faster.

You can also get help directly in the app by clicking the Help button (question mark icon) at the bottom of the screen, then selecting Help → Contact support to speak with one of our support team.

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