<p>
Storytelling has had a formula for yearsAndYears. Some people speak of it in disdain ("it was too formulaïc") and others (creative writing and intro film teachers, mostly) praise it. Everybody else (us) is a sucker for it.
</p>

<p>
Here is the literal formula, in pseudo code:
</p>

<pre><code>{A} 
{A} Reinforced

{Z}

{A} Returned

{B...Y}

{Z} Returned
</code></pre>

<p>
You can (and should, because it's free and you can throw out your work if you don't like it) practise this formula by plugging in events to represent A and Z, where A and Z are polar opposites.
</p>

<p>
Really obvious examples are any given romantic comedy:
</p>

<pre><code>{A} Jack is A="single and free"
{A} Scene to reinforce that Jack is in relationships with no strings attached. Jack is {A}.

{Z} Jack meets Jill, realises she makes him happy. He decides he's had enough of being {A} and want to be {Z=married}

{A} Reunion with old school mate makes Jack question his resolve. He leaves Jill so he can be {A}

{B...Y} Plot happens. Jack does stuff, Jill does stuff. Funny? Tragic? You decide!

{Z} Jack realizes at last that he's only happy with Jill, and that being {Z} with Jill is the only way to be truly free.
</code></pre>

<p>
You can also try it with the old Evil Empire plot line.
</p>

<pre><code>{A} Jill is an {A=obedient citizen}. Loves her mama, loves Jesus and America, too.
{A} Scene in which Jill witnesses a Rebel being mistreated unjustly, but does nothing to stand up for what is right, because she is {A}.

{Z} Jill meets Jack, an outlaw and rebel against the Empire. He's in trouble, so she helps him evade the police.

{A} Jill, horrified at her own rebellion, conforms all the more. She is dedicated to the Empire, and works diligently to hunt down Jack and his rag tag band of rebels.

{B...Y} Plot happens. Action, laser guns, laser swords, nationalism, motorcycle gangs.

{Z} Jill, seeing the devastation her allegiance has caused, realises that the Empire is actually Evil. She joins the rebels to fight for freedom.
</code></pre>

<p>
Now go practice this. Soon you will be telling stories, jokes, and anecdotes that have a clear beginning, a clear conflict, and a clear ending.
</p>

