Member-only story
What is the Kishotenketsu storytelling formula? Explained with an example
A few days ago I wrote about a storytelling idea used by Apple in their marketing.
Today I’m writing about a Japanese storytelling formula called Kishotenketsu.
Not a paid Medium subscriber? Read this for free here?
Although it is spoken as a single word, it can be broken into multiple parts.
Ki (introduction) — Introduces the main characters and the setting.
Sho (development) — Develops the storyline. Characters are doing things. More details are added. The plot is built.
Ten (twist) — Something unexpected happens. The plot is stirred. Unlike the usual conflict, the twist can be as simple as a leaf falling from a tree and triggering a chain of thought.
Ketsu (conclusion) — Nothing dramatic needs to happen. The beginning is slightly altered in the light of the twist that has happened.
Sentence by sentence example of the Kishotenketsu storytelling formula:
· Ki (introduction) — A boy and his dog are playing fetch by the lake on a sunny afternoon.
· Sho (development) — The boy throws a stick, and it mistakenly falls near a small young family having a picnic.
