Canon glossary

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The middle stretch in arcs that have one. Often where length problems creep in.

Purpose

Rising action — exploring layers, escalating tension, or building the case before the turn.

Anti-pattern

Development that meanders without escalation — reader loses focus.

A dedicated proof beat exists in only ~4 arcs (Gambit, Sequoia, AIDA, Monroes). Other arcs embed evidence inline within development.

Purpose

Proof, validation, data that defends the turn against skepticism. Pre-empts pushback.

Anti-pattern

Evidence section with assertions but no charts/tables/citations — claims without proof.

The opener — a deliberate move to earn attention before any argument. Used by AIDA, Monroes, Pixar Pitch, Overcoming the Monster.

Purpose

Capture attention immediately and establish stakes or curiosity before the audience commits to reading further.

Anti-pattern

Generic title slide with no narrative tension or specific stakes.

The "so what" beat. Used by analytical arcs (Triple-take, Onion) and learning arcs (Voyage-return, Tragedy).

Purpose

Synthesis, lessons, broader implications — what this means beyond the immediate.

Anti-pattern

Reflection that just restates the conclusion without elevating to insight.

How the deck ends. Required in 19/20 arcs. The exception (Sparkline) ends with new bliss which is functionally a resolution.

Purpose

New state, outcome, impact, or call-to-action — what changes after the turn.

Anti-pattern

Resolution that just summarises without specific forward action — reader has nothing to do.

Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. Almost every arc opens here.

Purpose

Establish context, baseline, the world before tension. Anchors the reader.

Anti-pattern

Setup that occupies more than 30% of the deck — delays the real argument.

The pivot — solution proposed, catalyst introduced, decision made. Common (15/20 arcs) but not universal: Triple-take, AIDA, PAS, Voyage-return and Pixar substitute it with a strong reflection or development beat.

Purpose

The pivot — solution proposed, catalyst introduced, decision made. The story changes here.

Anti-pattern

Multiple weak turns scattered without a single clear pivot — reader unsure what is being argued.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The point in the narrative where the audience should feel discomfort. Required for argumentative arcs.

Purpose

Surface the problem, tension, gap, or unmet need that demands resolution.

Anti-pattern

Vague problem statement without specific stakes or numbers — reader doesn't feel the urgency.

The middle stretch in arcs that have one. Often where length problems creep in.

Purpose

Rising action — exploring layers, escalating tension, or building the case before the turn.

Anti-pattern

Development that meanders without escalation — reader loses focus.