As anyone who has written (or attempted to write) a novel before can tell you, outlining is an arduous process. Balancing various subplots, character arcs, and plot twists is nothing short of a challenge, which is why some writers never get past the planning stage. Fortunately, contemporary storytellers have created all sorts of formulas and tools to help writers like you craft a compelling story. One such tool is the 27-chapter method, which breaks the overarching plot of a novel down into 27 crucial story beats, each of which gets its own chapter.
Whether you’ve never heard of the 27-chapter method or simply need a refresher, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about this technique, including:
- What is the 27-chapter method?
- A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the 27-Chapter Method
- Deconstructing The Hunger Games Using the 27-Chapter Method
- Pros and Cons of the 27-Chapter Method
- Further Resources
What is the 27-chapter method?
The 27-chapter method is a novel planning strategy created by Kat O’Keefe, a writer and bookish content creator known as Katytastic on YouTube. Through her YouTube channel, Kat shares everything from book hauls and reviews to writing vlogs, reading wrap-ups, and more. She is also known for her series of how-to videos, where she discusses her tips and tricks for navigating the writing, outlining, and editing processes. In one of her most popular videos, she breaks down her 3-act, 9-block, 27-chapter outlining method (often referred to as the 27-chapter method). This approach helps writers break down their stories into manageable chunks so they can master the elements of plot, conflict, and character development. So, what exactly does the 27-chapter method entail?
In the 27-chapter method, the story is broken down into three acts, referred to simply as Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. Each act is further broken down into three blocks, and each block contains three chapters. In other words, every act has nine chapters, which are separated into three even chunks, known as blocks. This structure may seem a bit convoluted at first, but it makes a lot more sense once you grasp the reasoning behind the act, block, and chapter divisions. But to understand why this story structure works, we first have to learn what makes most, if not all, stories alike: patterns.
The Cyclical Nature of Stories
Stories follow patterns. That’s why we have tropes and archetypes like the Hero’s Journey. These story elements are essentially templates that a writer uses to ensure their story — with its individual characters, world, and style — still adheres to the genre conventions that make narratives successful and engaging. When it comes to plot and tension building, every story subscribes to the same pattern: setup leads to conflict, which leads to resolution, which leads to setup, beginning the cycle all over again.
What do these terms mean, you ask? Here’s a quick explanation:
- Setup: The setup provides context and establishes the hero’s current status quo, including their belief systems, desires, and needs as well as the rules of their world.
- Conflict: The conflict disrupts the hero’s status quo, forcing them to consider a new perspective. The incompatibility of the hero’s established belief system and this alternative perspective creates internal dissonance that is typically represented by an external antagonistic force.
- Resolution: The resolution sees the hero responding to the conflict and finding a solution that neutralizes both the internal dissonance and external threat. The resolution of the conflict marks the beginning of the hero’s new status quo, which reflects the growth they’ve achieved throughout the story.
Now that you’ve grasped the basic pattern every story follows, let’s discuss how this pattern fits into each unit of the 27-chapter structure.
A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the 27-Chapter Method
As described above, every story is a series of the same three events: setup, conflict, and resolution. These terms are another way of saying beginning, middle, and end. Therefore, every story is made up of a series of micro-stories (also known as arcs), each with its own beginning, middle, and end.
This pattern applies to each of the story units that comprise the 3-act, 9-block, 27-chapter structure. The three acts represent the story’s beginning, middle, and end; thus, each act has a unique arc that serves a distinct purpose. Likewise, the three blocks that make up each act can be thought of respectively as the beginning, middle, and end of that act’s particular arc. Considering this pattern, it only makes sense that the three chapters in a block represent the beginning, middle, and end of that story unit as well. To demonstrate this, let’s break down the 27-chapter method act by act, block by block, and chapter by chapter.
Act 1: Setup
Act 1 introduces the reader to the hero and their ordinary world, shows how the hero’s world is disrupted, and demonstrates that the hero’s life will never be the same again.
Block 1: Setup
Block 1 introduces the hero and their ordinary world, providing a “before shot” of the character before change occurs. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 1 — Introduction (setup): The reader meets the hero and learns about their ordinary life.
- Chapter 2 — Inciting Incident (conflict): Something unexpected happens that disrupts the hero’s normal life.
- Chapter 3 — Fallout (resolution): The hero instantly reacts to the inciting incident.
Block 2: Conflict
Block 2 introduces a problem that disrupts the hero’s life. Their comfortable world is thrown out of equilibrium, forcing them to act. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 4 — Reaction/Rebellion (setup): The long-term effects of the inciting incident are revealed, prompting the hero to push back.
- Chapter 5 — Action (conflict): The hero takes a stand to rectify the lasting impacts of the inciting incident.
- Chapter 6 — Consequence (resolution): The hero must face the consequences of their actions.
Block 3: Resolution
Block 3 demonstrates that the hero can’t go back to living life the way they used to. The problem they encountered in Block 2 has changed things irreparably, and as a consequence, the hero is pushed into a new world. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 7 — Pressure (setup): Pressure rises as the hero comes to terms with what’s happening to them.
- Chapter 8 — Plot Twist/Pinch (conflict): Confronted with a plot twist, the hero realizes there’s no going back, whether they like it or not.
- Chapter 9 — Push (resolution): The hero passes the point of no return, leaving their old world behind and entering the new world.
Act 2: Conflict
Act 2 shows the hero getting to know their new world and encountering a host of new challenges.
Block 4: Setup
Block 4 shows the hero experiencing the new world they’ve been thrust into. As they explore, they’re confronted with beliefs, ideas, and knowledge that conflict with their existing worldview. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 10 — New World (setup): The hero explores the unfamiliar new world.
- Chapter 11 — Fun and Games (conflict): The hero gets a reprieve from the challenge they’re facing as they meet new characters and play around in the new world.
- Chapter 12 — Juxtaposition (resolution): The hero’s new world is contrasted against their old world, exposing the disparities between the two.
Block 5: Conflict
Block 5 confronts the hero with a crisis in the new world. To overcome this crisis, the hero must grow and change. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 13 — Buildup (setup): Tension mounts as internal and external struggles come to a head.
- Chapter 14 — Midpoint Incident (conflict): Something big happens, changing everything for the hero once again.
- Chapter 15 — Reversal (resolution): As a result of the midpoint, the hero is pushed in a new direction.
Block 6: Resolution
Block 6 sees the hero seeking out solutions to the problems they’re facing. The hero’s experiences in the new world are beginning to transform them and their belief system. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 16 — Consequence (setup): The hero reflects on the revelations of the midpoint and how far they’ve come in their journey.
- Chapter 17 — Trials (conflict): The hero takes action to overcome their trials and solve their problems using the lessons they’ve learned thus far.
- Chapter 18 — Dedication (resolution): The hero doubles down in their determination, resolving to see their challenge through.
Act 3: Resolution
Act 3 sees the hero facing their greatest challenge yet and using the lessons they’ve learned throughout the story to overcome it.
Block 7: Setup
Block 7 presents the hero with their toughest trials yet. As the stakes ramp up, victory seems out of reach. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 19 — Calm Before the Storm (setup): The hero’s toughest challenge yet looms on the horizon as they finalize their plan.
- Chapter 20 — Plot Twist/Pinch (conflict): In the second and final plot twist, the story’s ultimate obstacle is revealed in a moment of tragedy or defeat.
- Chapter 21 — Darkest Hour (resolution): In their lowest moment yet, the hero loses all hope of succeeding.
Block 8: Conflict
Block 8 directs the hero inward, challenging them to dig deep inside themself to find the hidden power needed to complete their mission. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 22 — Power Within (setup): The hero conjures the power within themself to carry on, signifying their evolution into a stronger version of themself.
- Chapter 23 — Action (conflict): Determined to see their mission through, the hero takes action.
- Chapter 24 — Convergence (resolution): The characters and subplots all come together for the grand finale.
Block 9: Resolution
Block 9 resolves everything once and for all. After entering the final showdown, the hero emerges a changed person, having finally defeated their enemy and solved their problem. The chapters in this block include:
- Chapter 25 — Final Battle (setup): The hero enters the final battle (which can be figurative rather than literal if the hero’s antagonist is internal).
- Chapter 26 — Climax (conflict): The hero’s journey culminates in the climax of the final battle; they either win or lose.
- Chapter 27 — Resolution (resolution): In the aftermath of the climax, loose ends are resolved, and the hero’s final form is revealed after all the challenges they’ve endured throughout the story. The end!
So there you have it! A breakdown of each act, block, and chapter in the 27-chapter method. With this, you have everything you need to start outlining your own story, but I always find it helpful to see the method in action before I apply it myself. That being said, let’s take a look at how the 27-chapter method works by using it to dissect one of the most prolific young adult series of all time, The Hunger Games.
Deconstructing The Hunger Games Using the 27-Chapter Method
If you need any evidence of the 27-chapter method’s validity, look no further than the Hunger Games trilogy. Although Suzanne Collins didn’t have this particular method in mind while plotting her novels, she comes from a playwriting background that taught her to use three-act structure. Consequently, her stories fit into the 27-chapter model well. Each book in Collins’s bestselling trilogy has three sections with nine chapters per section, for a total of 27 chapters. The five books in her previous series, The Underland Chronicles, also follow this format.
For the purposes of this example, let’s take The Hunger Games, the first book in Collins’s eponymous series. In the novel, each set of nine chapters is divided into a distinct act. Act 1 is entitled “The Tributes,” Act 2 is called “The Games,” and Act 3 is named “The Victor.” As we did above, let’s break down the story beat by beat to see how it fits the 27-chapter method.
Act 1: Setup
Block 1: Setup
- Chapter 1 — Introduction (setup): The reader meets Katniss Everdeen and learns about Panem, the districts, and the reaping through her eyes.
- Chapter 2 — Inciting Incident (conflict): After her younger sister is selected as the female tribute for District 12, Katniss volunteers to take her place.
- Chapter 3 — Fallout (resolution): As a result of her actions, Katniss is forced to leave her family behind and travel to the Capitol. As she says her goodbyes, she’s given a Mockingjay pin, which symbolizes resistance.
Block 2: Conflict
- Chapter 4 — Reaction/Rebellion (setup): Katniss clashes with her mentor, Haymitch, and vows not to get close to Peeta. Upon arriving in the Capitol, Katniss is in awe of its opulence.
- Chapter 5 — Action (conflict): Katniss and Peeta’s fiery display at the opening ceremony draws much attention from the crowd.
- Chapter 6 — Consequence (resolution): Katniss recognizes one of the servants in the Training Center as a girl she witnessed being captured by a government hovercraft back in District 12 and regrets not trying to help.
Block 3: Resolution
- Chapter 7 — Pressure (setup): Katniss begins to realize what she’s truly up against when she witnesses the strength and skill of the Careers — tributes from rich districts who have trained their whole lives to win the Games. Upset by the Gamemakers’ apathy during her skill demonstration, Katniss shoots an arrow into an apple in the mouth of a roasted pig to get their attention.
- Chapter 8 — Plot Twist/Pinch (conflict): Katniss receives a high score for her stunt with the pig, but Peeta decides he wants to be coached separately from her from now on.
- Chapter 9 — Push (resolution): Katniss encounters the servant girl again and admits she should have tried to save her. In their respective television interviews, Katniss’s authenticity and Peeta’s confession about his feelings for Katniss win over the audience.
Act 2: Conflict
Block 4: Setup
- Chapter 10 — New World (setup): Despite being upset about Peeta’s interview, Katniss realizes a fake love story could earn them sponsors. Before the Games begin, Cinna places the Mockingjay pin on Katniss.
- Chapter 11 — Fun and Games (conflict): The Hunger Games officially start, and Katniss flees into the woods. Later, she realizes that Peeta has joined a pack of vicious Careers.
- Chapter 12 — Juxtaposition (resolution): Katniss catches a rabbit in a snare for food, but her lack of water leaves her dehydrated and exhausted. In the middle of the night, she’s awoken by an approaching fire.
Block 5: Conflict
- Chapter 13 — Buildup (setup): Katniss is badly injured by the fire. The pack of Careers begins to hunt her down, but she escapes by climbing a tree.
- Chapter 14 — Midpoint Incident (conflict): With the help of Rue, a young tribute from District 11, Katniss kills several tributes by dropping a wasp nest on their heads. Delirious from wasp venom, she encounters Peeta, who she realizes is trying to protect her, before blacking out.
- Chapter 15 — Reversal (resolution): Katniss allies with Rue, and together, they vow to take out the Careers, who are no longer working with Peeta.
Block 6: Resolution
- Chapter 16 — Consequence (setup): Katniss and Rue create a plan to lure the Careers away from their camp and sabotage their supplies. When Katniss realizes the supplies are protected by a minefield, she triggers an explosion to destroy them.
- Chapter 17 — Trials (conflict): Katniss flees the scene and finds Rue ensnared in a net, being stabbed by another tribute.
- Chapter 18 — Dedication (resolution): Katniss kills the tribute and comforts Rue as she dies. When the Gamemakers announce that two tributes from the same district can win together, Katniss goes in search of Peeta.
Act 3: Resolution
Block 7: Setup
- Chapter 19 — Calm Before the Storm (setup): Katniss assesses the threat level of each remaining tribute and comes across an injured Peeta. As she tends to his wounds, Katniss kisses Peeta to feed into their pretend love story.
- Chapter 20 — Plot Twist/Pinch (conflict): The Gamemakers entice the tributes to gather at the center of the arena with the promise of vital supplies. Despite the risk, Katniss decides to go in hopes there will be something that can heal Peeta.
- Chapter 21 — Darkest Hour (resolution): When she goes to retrieve the supplies, Katniss is injured, but the remaining District 11 tribute spares her for showing kindness to Rue. Katniss secures medicine for Peeta.
Block 8: Conflict
- Chapter 22 — Power Within (setup): As Peeta recovers, Katniss grows weary of the Games. In order to get food from sponsors, Katniss pretends to be in love with Peeta, but she realizes her feelings for him aren’t entirely fake.
- Chapter 23 — Action (conflict): Two more tribute deaths are announced, meaning there are only three remaining tributes: Katniss, Peeta, and Cato. Katniss and Peeta realize that one of the tributes was killed by poisonous nightlock berries.
- Chapter 24 — Convergence (resolution): Katniss and Peeta hold onto the berries in case they have a chance to poison Cato later. Eventually, they run into Cato and are all pursued by strange, bloodthirsty creatures.
Block 9: Resolution
- Chapter 25 — Final Battle (setup): Cato is caught by the creatures, and Katniss kills him in an act of mercy. The Gamemakers announce that only one tribute can survive, but when Katniss and Peeta threaten to kill themselves by eating the nightlock berries, they are declared joint winners.
- Chapter 26 — Climax (conflict): Finally free from the Games, Katniss learns that the Capitol is enraged by her rebellion. To survive, she and Peeta will have to continue selling their love story.
- Chapter 27 — Resolution (resolution): At a victory party, Katniss plays up her affection for Peeta to quell the anger of the Capitol and its leader, President Snow. Back home in District 12, Katniss contemplates whether she truly loves Peeta or if the trauma of the Games is influencing her emotions.
Pros and Cons of the 27-Chapter Method
Every outlining method has its advantages and disadvantages. As a writer, it’s up to you to determine whether a specific approach works for you and your story. To help you make that decision, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the 27-chapter method.
Pros of the 27-Chapter Method
There’s a reason why so many people swear by the 27-chapter method. This outlining strategy can be a fantastic starting point for writers looking for guidance on how to structure their story. Plus, it uses established storytelling conventions to ensure your narrative is satisfying and well-paced. Additional pros of the 27-chapter method include:
- It’s easy to follow. In the 27-chapter method, every chapter coincides with a major story event, which makes the purpose of each chapter clear. Additionally, because each major story event falls into one of three categories (setup, conflict, or resolution), it’s easy for writers to track the patterns of cause and effect in their narrative.
- It’s broadly applicable. While terms like “new world” and “final battle” may seem most relevant to fantasy and science fiction stories, the 27-chapter method is effective for every genre. Depending on whether you’re writing a contemporary romance or a political thriller, some of the major plot points may need to be interpreted more or less literally, but the applications of this approach are universal.
- It leaves room for creativity. The 27-chapter method provides a general shape for your story to follow, but all the details about the characters, world, and plot are up to you to create. The outline generated through this approach gives you the foundation you need to get the ideas flowing and truly make the story your own.
Cons of the 27-Chapter Method
Every upside has its downside, and the 27-chapter method is no exception. For all its merits, this technique can be limiting for writers who want to step outside the box. Moreover, it doesn’t offer solutions for avoiding common plotting perils like the midpoint slump. Additional cons of the 27-chapter method include:
- It’s generic. Outlining frameworks like the 27-chapter method are, by nature, formulaic — they build off of established story structures and conventions to create a uniform blueprint for engaging plots. By organizing your narrative around the same set of beats utilized by myriad writers before you, you run the risk of making your story predictable. And when it comes to storytelling, predictable equals boring.
- It divides each act equally. The 27-chapter method contradicts common advice regarding how much of the story each act should account for. While this technique suggests that each act should take up about 33 percent of the story, other methods advise a less even split. For instance, the Save the Cat! approach proposes that Acts 1 and 3 should be equivalent to 25 percent of the story each, while Act 2 should take up the remaining 50 percent.
- It doesn’t address how to deal with additional story elements. The 27-chapter method subscribes to a traditional form of storytelling in which the plot unfolds chronologically without any prologues, interludes, or epilogues to derail or distract from the major story beats. If you’re looking to play around with a more experimental narrative structure, this technique might not be for you.
An Important Reminder
The pros and cons listed above show that there’s no one perfect way to develop a story. Your ideal planning method won’t be the same as anyone else’s because your story and creative process are unique. What you need out of an outline depends on many factors, from the perspective of your story to its general structure to how much information you need to know about your world and characters before you start writing. Hence, novel planning techniques aren’t as one-size-fits-all as they may seem.
When you adopt a new outlining method, it’s easy to get caught up in all the formulas and rules. So before you get started, here’s a key reminder: The 27-chapter method (like any plotting structure) is just a foundation. It’s a tool you can use to develop your story and ensure you’re hitting critical plot points, not a set of unbreakable literary laws you must abide by unerringly. At the end of the day, your story is yours. You know best whether the second plot twist should come at the end of Act 2 or the beginning of Act 3, so don’t be afraid to tweak the model to suit your story. This method is here to guide you, not to dictate how your narrative should unfold.
The beauty of stories comes from their individuality, and that’s something no outlining method can teach you how to generate. Outlining techniques are only valuable so far as they bolster your artistic process. Thus, if following the 27-chapter method to a T hinders your creative flow more than helps it, there’s nothing wrong with making adjustments to the formula or throwing it out the window entirely!
Further Resources
There’s no one more well-versed in this technique than the creator herself, Kat O’Keefe! To learn more about the 27-chapter method, check out these videos on Kat’s YouTube channel:
- How I Outline! [3 Acts : 9 Blocks : 27 Chapters] — A breakdown of the 27-chapter method
- Outlining Warlock & Gladiator Story! — An example of the 27-chapter method in use with one of Kat’s original stories
- HOW TO OUTLINE | 3 act 9 block 27 chapter example — An updated explanation of the 27-chapter method with a new example outline
- Outlining With Scrivener! — A how-to guide for outlining in Scrivner using the 27-chapter method
Successful novels are built on the foundation of strong outlines. The 27-chapter method is an excellent way to develop any story idea, but don’t take my word for it. The best way to figure out if an outlining technique works for you is to try it out for yourself. So get out your laptop (or pen and paper if that’s more your style) and start writing!
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