Story and Structure: A complete guide

by Leon Conrad, Jason Chuang (Illustrator)

Story and Structure tells the untold story of how story works. Using just six primary symbols, author Leon Conrad outlines eighteen story structures and shows how they all optimally solve the problems which give rise to them. The book also demonstrates the much wider application of story, presenting new insights into story as a dynamic force of life, allowing the reader to access more harmony and flow in their life. Writers, storytellers, creative writing teachers, folklorists, narrative therapists, anthropologists, poets, and readers interested in how story works will all find this book useful and informative. Rethink your idea of story.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

528 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Leon Conrad is a Story Structure Consultant, Storyteller, and Writer, based in London, UK. His book, 'Story and Structure: A complete guide' won ten awards including the IPNE Nonfiction Book of the Year 2022 and was a finalist in The People's Book Prize. Leon is the Author of the Year Award recipient 2024 (Corporate LiveWire).
Linktree: leonconradstory.

He is Founder of The Unknown Storyteller Project (www.leonconrad.com), Founder and Lead Tutor at The Traditional Tutor (www.traditionaltutor.co.uk), Co-Founder and Lead Trainer at The Academy of Oratory (www.academyoforatory.com), and Affiliate at the Next Society Institute (www.nextsocietyinstitute.com). He teaches historic needlework technique and publishes through his embroidery business, Leon Conrad Designs (www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LeonConradDesigns).

Find out more at www.leonconrad.com.

Leon has run training courses in voice-centred communication skills for business for over 20 years. In 2007, he was poet-in-residence at the first Edinburgh Food Festival and was invited back to be poet-in-residence at the Pleasance Dome the following year. He has written and produced shows combining traditional storytelling and performance poetry which have been performed in Edinburgh and London, the most recent being "Under The Arabian Moon", a retelling of stories from The Arabian Nights at The Roundhouse in 2009.

He is fluent in five languages (English, French, Italian, Russian and Arabic) and trains in all five. He has published several articles in academic journals and trade magazines on the subject of effective communication, and been interviewed on BBC Breakfast television as an expert in the subject. In 2012, he co-hosted 'The Talking Shop', a series of radio shows with Giles Abbott, about different aspects of storytelling.

His approach to education stems from his passion for reviving the integrated approach to teaching the classical liberal arts, in particular the word-based Trivium of logic, grammar and rhetoric, as well as taking a combined historical and modern approach to the number-based Quadrivium. He offers tutoring in this approach to students and was a regular columnist for Flight Line Magazine for speakers of English as a second or other language in Russia and the CIS.

Leon studied voice with The British Voice Association and at Princeton University. He holds a Master's Degree in the History of Design and Material Culture of the Renaissance from the Royal College of Art, and a graduate diploma from the Trinity College of Music in London. He is a City and Guilds Adult and Further Education Qualified Trainer.

From 2013 onwards, Leon regularly explored the links between mathematics, language and logic with polymath Professor George Spencer-Brown, author of Laws of Form. (https://vimeo.com/359954407) Leon was Spencer-Brown's last student.

Leon has given a TEDx talk with marimba player Aristel Skribic about The Magic of Words (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYit3...)

Leon studied blackwork embroidery techniques with master embroiderer Jack Robinson, and has taught for various branches of The Embroiderers’ Guild (UK), The Historic Needlework Guild (USA), The Knitting and Stitching Shows and Madeira Embroidery Shows (UK), A Sampler Gathering (USA), Ackworth School Sampler Guild (UK), The V&A Museum, The National Maritime Museum, The National Trust and English Heritage. He was the first person in 400 years to successfully decode Plaited Braid Stitch.

Reviews

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many I aspire to be a writer and author. I have several short stories and works in progress but as with all crafts I realise the importance of the craft and learning from those who have come before. Leon Conrad certainly has experience when it comes to writing and has created a beautifully written and expertly structured guide to help.


The first thing I adored about this is the tone and writing. Conrad does not preach but guides us through the steps, themes, patterns and so much more that is contained in all aspects of storytelling. I also adored the illustrations in this book which help make it easier to find and highlight places of interest.

This is the perfect book for those wanting to further understand the craft of writing and storytelling. Most definitely one that every writer should have within reach to reference and well worth numerous re-reads. Even if you are not looking to write in the terms of storytelling there is still advice to be had within. I even believe that reviewers and literature students would benefit from a read of this to help further analyse the stories and structure of works.

I was given a copy to review by Literally PR but my review is left honestly and voluntarily.

[EdenB15 · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who is exploring career paths and is really keen and passionate rider I thought this book would help me a lot and I was right it really give me an insight into hard stories or formed the different structures and some good tips and tricks . It really give me a deeper understanding and to high stories work and despite its length was pretty clear and easy to follow with step-by-step guides images and sections broken down and into small chunks. Really worth a raid and I’m glad I’m managed to get a copy of it and will be referring back to overtime.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story and Structure' by Leon Conrad.
Wow. A beautifully written book. Very well researched. Cleverly written too. It had combination of calculus and logic. Different diagrams. A must have book. 5*.

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t understand calculus. I’ll go further – I don’t even know what it is. My late father was a civil engineer and tried to explain it to me. It fell on deaf ears. I made sure I could answer every other maths question in my ‘O’ Level (yes I’m that old) so I could avoid the calculus one.

But in Story and Structure, Leon Conrad uses just six primary symbols to symbolise and outline eighteen story structures. So leaving the calculus element behind, Conrad suggests we select a story to analyse, summarise the story in ‘bare bones’ form, note the opening and closing, and identify the ‘problem’ which gave rise to the story in the first place.

“Stories are based on a series of steps and the order in which they come distinguish different story structures.” Conrad uses The Three Little Pigs as the first example, also using the ‘fortunately’ and ‘unfortunately’ steps. I am not going to rewrite the book here, as I am only reviewing it as a textbook for storytelling – I’ll leave the author to do the rest.

We begin with a simple Quest structure. It’s the first in our eighteen story structures. There are only basically four symbols (back to calculus), representing Opening, Initial Situation, Final Situation and Closing. I particularly like the example of Nasr-el-Din and the Walnut Tree.

The author examines the different structures in great detail, using the calculus symbols to explain the flow. Of course most stories are far more complicated than The Three Little Pigs and introduce a variety of characters other than the pigs (heroes), the wolf (villain), and who can help the pigs in their ‘quest’.

As we progress, we look at other structures such as Transformation, Trickster, The Chinese Circular Structure and Creation Myth. These are just a few examples of the eighteen types of story. There are examples of stories from around the world, beautiful illustrations by Jason Chuang, and numerous notes and references.

I studied Creative Writing as part of my OU Humanities degree and I remember discussing the classic story arc of plot structure ie Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and the Resolution (Freytag’s pyramid theory). However, Story and Structure takes this to a whole new level and should probably appear on the Creative Writing syllabus in the future. It’s certainly very interesting.

Many thanks to @LiterallyPR for inviting me to be part of the StoryandStructure blogtour.

[AEB Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story and Structure: A Complete Guide by Leon Conrad breaks down the key components of each of the eighteen types of story structure into its constituent parts.

An editor and creative consultant, Conrad's previous experience makes him no fledging when it comes to the study of writing. Introducing a broad range of tales, from well-known folk stories and Greek mythology to short stories hailing from India and Japan, Conrad draws on patterns in storytelling, highlighting the similarities, patterns and traits within the various story types. Each chapter is introduced with a charming illustration by the artist Jason Chaung and a summary definition (some story structures being easier to define than others). After summarising a tale that deploys the story structure (e.g "The Three Little Pigs"), Conrad dives into a microscopic study, dissecting the elements of its structure.

The use of illustrative symbols plays a significant role in this book. In fact it is probably truer to say that without use of George Spencer-Brown's calculus, Story and Structure would cease to exist. Conrad deploys a multitude of symbols within a table format to highlight the key twists and turns in different stories. Beginning with the traditional Quest structure and its six illustrative symbols, Conrad gradually introduces new terms and symbols to break down increasingly complex story structures. In the "Trickster" structure, discussion expands to analyse the developmental arc of multiple characters. As if by magic, one straightforward folk story suddenly becomes three multi-dimensional and interwoven tales.

Initially the use of symbols and tables can come across as overwhelming and complex to understand. However with each structure type you begin to to better interpret and translate the symbols. After reading the book once I returned to some of the earlier chapters and found the detailing to be more self-explanatory.

Conrad's guide to story structure should be treated as a top-shelf reference guide for anyone wanting to study the art of story structure as opposed to a quick flick before bed. With this book, perseverance is key, after reading Story and Structure: A Complete Guide you will never interpret a story in the same way again.


AEB Reviews

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leon Conrad has spent a life time researching story, or stories, teaching, lecturing and tutoring in the art of story creation, analysis and restructure and also in pursuit of the answer to the time old question, where do stories come from.
In the Preface Conrad explains much about the motivation behind his journey, why he has applied the mathematical principle created by Prof George Spencer Brown to literary (Story) analysis and how it makes the breakdown of any story ‘visually intuitive, easy to understand and extraordinarily powerful’.
After you negotiate the first chapter which is somewhat daunting, as it lays out the six primary symbols used in breaking down the context of Story, you are carefully lead into the absorbing journey relating to the creation of a story, what causes a story to evolve and how, using the positive and negative environment to create a flow, a story arrives in all its captivating glory.
Story and Structure: A Complete Guide is a pilgrimage through the world of words formed into cautionary tales, academic writing, enriching and thought provoking poetry and riddles, all of which tell a story in long or short form.
Over 18 distinct story structures, several of which are familiar tales told in childhood, others are more complex such as West African dilemma tales and the intricately crafted Ki-Sho-Ten-Ketsu, Conrad applies the six symbols to clearly illustrate the ebb and flow, positive and negative of the storyline.
As the chapters unfold it is very easy to become absorbed into what is a Masterclass in writing, which when understood and applied, has been proven to improve the writing style of all forms of story; storytelling and story creation.
A very comprehensive end section, beginning with the very short Epilogue, leads into the four Appendix further discussing various area of construction and analysis which concludes this exemplary book.
For anyone studying literature of any classification, considering writing a book or has written a book Story and Structure: A Complete Guide is a MUST have book of reference.

[Tina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delves Deeply into the craft of storytelling

Story and Structure delves deeply into the crafting of story in its many and varied forms, As an avid reader, it gave me a valuable insight into the structure, patterns and motivations inherent in what I read. In the work the author examines 18 types of stories and their structure in what I found to be a unique approach using a set of 6 primary symbols. The story types examined include the creation myth, rags to riches, the quest, dilemma, voyage and return and others I was less familiar with.

I particularly enjoyed the well-crafted use of examples the author uses to illustrate the analysis, using stories which range from old favourites such as the Three Little Pigs and Snow White to those from other cultures. The references to poetry, song and the oral tradition of storytelling were also useful in examining both the origin and development of all types of storytelling over time. It is a work which made me think more deeply about what I read and one which will become a valuable source of reference in the future.  

The book provides a valuable set of keys to unlock, create and comprehend story in all its forms and as such is highly recommended to readers, writers, students and academics alike.

Please note, this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Gillian Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and enlightening read. Leon breaks down the analysis of story structure using numerous classic and much-loved stories, from The Three Little Pigs and Cinderella to older stories, such as Ovid’s Metamorphoses and The Arabian Nights. These stories are then stripped down to its ‘bare bones’ and outlined using six primary symbols (which are fully explained in the book). This book is a font of literary knowledge. Here are just a few nuggets of valuable and fascinating topics that are addressed.
1 - the two basic linear story structures: Transformation and Creation Myth.
2 – the balancing of plot and structure, the integration of actor and actant.
3 – the four specific elements of plot patterns: Scenes, Sequences, Nesting and Latticing.
4 – Coming full circle. The Chinese Circular Structure.
5 – How music and poetry are linked to story.
Reading this book was a real lightbulb moment for me! I recommend this to anyone passionate about words, stories and writing. To finish this review, I shall use a quote from Leon Conrad, which I think sums it all up beautifully:
“Algebraic Notation denotes the ebb and flow of the energetic pulse that story follows in each character’s storyline.”

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to @literallypr and the author for having me on this tour.

Oh boy, this is a thick book, and it gave me more than I expected.

This is not my usual read; however, I have enjoyed learning about how stories and structures work in this in-depth book about the formation of stories and structures. I liked the easy-to-read tables and the step-by-step chapter guides. I have also really enjoyed the images that have been used throughout the book. A must-read for any story connoisseur who seeks a fuller and more wholesome understanding of how stories work. The incorporation of captivating images throughout the book further enriched the experience. A must-read for avid storytelling enthusiasts seeking a more profound insight into the mechanics of narratives.

#literature #booktour #storytelling #structures #narratives #bookreview #readingcommunity #mustread #booklovers #storyconnoisseur #storyandstrucutre

[Christopher Chilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than just a book on structure and story, this fundamentally reveals the mechanics of how the universe and consciousness story as one, spanning both the micro and macro.

A must for any story connoisseur who seeks a fuller and more wholesome understanding of how story, stories.

The combination of calculus, logic, and Leon's love for all things story come together in a harmonious and fascinating insight that takes time to digest but ultimately provides a new framework from which to view and relate to the stories of the past and the present.

The lessons which, I have found useful not only when applied to my work, writing, and myself but also in understanding and analysing the culture and stories that I am subjected to and surround myself with on a daily basis.

Thank you for sharing your insight and passion for all things story!

[Kajori · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Story and Structure: A Complete Guide" is penned by Leon Conrad and illustrated by Jason Chuang. In this well-researched book, Conrad shows us how story is deeply connected to life and the Oneness-of-Being. He adopts George Spencer-Brown's six symbols to visually analyze eighteen story structures. Conrad draws on stories from ancient China to modern-day America to explain his views in an interesting manner. This makes his book easy to understand. I learned a lot from Leon Conrad's Story and Structure: A Complete Guide. I am confident that writers and students would find this book to be helpful.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read lots of books along the same lines as this during my 26 years teaching career, but this one was a breath of fresh air. I really enjoyed the author’s take on different story structures and the in depth explanation of story. I discovered different perspectives on the elements of story, which provided me with new insight into what goes into forming and structuring a story, things I hadn’t realised previously. The book is a great resource for any aspiring writer, teacher or creative to have on hand. It’s a fresh approach that has really inspired me.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story and Structure is a master class in how literature is structured. It is best for the academically minded. It definitely reads like a university textbook. It has a lot of interesting information buried in its over five hundred pages. I can see why it won an award for best reference book as it is not an easy read straight through. However, if you are motivated, it should rate at least 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Literally PR, Ltd. for providing me with a review copy.

[Chris Bemrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will potentially change the way you look at all stories - whether as novels, poetry, films, operas, musicals or whatever. Conrad goes beyond classifications such as Campbell's monomyths and Booker's seven basic plots to use six symbols (based on Spencer-Brown's 'Laws of Form') to analyse and compare story structures. Examples of stories which are drawn from a wide variety of countries, times (ancient Egypt to the present day), and story types (classics such as Beowulf to limericks and haikus, with jokes, tragedies and sonnets along the way). Highly recommended.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this during my Creative Writing and Literature classes in the University, but even though I got to read this a decade later, it is a comprehensive wealth of knowledge on the story and form of what makes writing.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book❤️

[Pak Topek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gm

[Umay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s in a Story?

Have you ever wondered why some stories stay with you forever while others fade away like whispers in the wind? Leon Conrad’s Story and Structure: A Complete Guide doesn’t just answer that—it hands you the keys to the very engine of storytelling.

A Symphonic Approach to Narrative

Conrad opens with an unusual metaphor: stories as symphonies. Each narrative, he argues, is an orchestra of components, where characters, plots, and twists harmonize to create meaning. He builds this idea by drawing on George Spencer-Brown’s Laws of Form, a minimalist mathematical system that surprisingly resonates with storytelling principles.

Did you know that the same principles used to model recursive systems in mathematics also underpin the narrative arc of Cinderella or The Iliad? Conrad’s methodology reveals these invisible threads, inviting us to see storytelling as both an art and a science.

Stories: The Universal Language

One of the book’s most fascinating aspects is its cross-cultural scope. From Japanese Ki-Shō-Ten-Ketsu to West African dilemma tales, Conrad unpacks 18 distinct story structures. He writes,
"Each structure reflects not just a way of telling stories but a way of seeing the world."

For example, the Rags to Riches arc—an archetype immortalized by Cinderella—is mirrored across continents and centuries. In 1893, folklorist Marian Roalfe Cox documented 345 variants of the Cinderella story globally, a number that modern scholars estimate now exceeds 1,500! Conrad’s work underscores the universality of narrative while celebrating its infinite variations.

From “Huh?!” to “Ah!”

One of the book’s quirkiest sections examines the “Trickster Variation,” a structure Conrad maps using mathematical symbols like ⇌ and ↽. He likens it to comedic timing:
"Every defeated expectation is a backward step that pulls the story—and the reader—toward a deeper realization."

This chapter will have you reflecting on how your favorite sitcoms and even riddles share DNA with ancient myths.

A Revolutionary Reading Tool

More than a theoretical guide, Story and Structure empowers readers to dissect any story with a set of six intuitive symbols. Whether analyzing Harry Potter or writing your own masterpiece, Conrad’s system transforms storytelling into a craft accessible to all.

Conclusion

Leon Conrad doesn’t just analyze stories; he gives them life, showing us how they connect cultures, illuminate truths, and foster human understanding. If you’ve ever told a tale, dreamed of writing one, or marveled at the power of narrative, this book is a must-read.

Story and Structure isn’t just a guide—it’s an invitation to become a master storyteller.