Character arcs & relationships · Working

Negative arc

Also called: fall arc

ELI5

A character trajectory involving deterioration, corruption, failure or loss instead of positive growth.

“The deck names the negative arc; now the character and scene choices need to support it.”

A character trajectory involving deterioration, corruption, failure or loss rather than positive growth.

Here “Negative arc” means: A character trajectory involving deterioration, corruption, failure or loss rather than positive growth.

Use this when a deck or treatment needs to describe the people, world, tone or audience promise precisely.

Why it matters: Helps describe who the project follows, where it lives and what kind of experience it promises.

When the words have to travel

Bring the script, brief or half-formed thought. We help find the shape people need to understand.

Sources & evidence · 6

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.