What's a typical trilogy structure?

Question

Is there a typical structure for a fantasy trilogy?To be more specific, would they usually follow the three-act structure, with an act per book? And would each book need a self-contained story arc with a proper beginning and ending? Or could you get away without a proper resolution until the end of the third book?I know this could be subjective, but what are the norms when approaching this?

Answer 1

A trilogy does not necessarily represent an act per book. Rather, each book tends to carry a self-contained story arc in each one along with a larger, more expansive arc that carries over through all three. The great thing is about trilogies is that they are comprised of multiple plots, some of which are more important than others.

The Hunger Games trilogy is a good example. The first book, The Hunger Games, follows a self-contained plot in which the central character, Katniss, participates--and (spoiler) ultimately wins the Games alongside Peeta. The entirety of the first book follows Katniss as she's picked as tribute, trains, participates, and ultimately, wins the games. Yet, under the surface of the first book, you can sense instability in their country of Panem, and you can't help but feel it will ultimately lead to revolution. The second book, while it follows how Peeta and Katniss are reentered into the Hunger Games for its anniversary, eventually leads into the larger plot on how what would be the last Games leads to the rebellion. And, ultimately, Mockingjay, the final book, leads into the fruition of that rebellion after painting President Snow as the main antagonist from the first book. Think of it like this: each book does have a self-contained story arc, but it's a cog in the machine to the larger, expansive arc that carries throughout each novel. You can get away with proper resolution in some aspects (note, for example, not every book in a trilogy must end on a major cliffhanger or plot twist) that can be resolved in the second book or prompt more questions that lead (and can be eventually resolved) in the third.

But as you mentioned, it's entirely subjective! If you need help, I would examine and analyze the plot structure of your favorite book trilogies (or movies). Ask yourself what is the driving impetus of the plot, what the characters to where they are, and why the author chose to push them in that position. What are the implications of structuring the plot in this way? What is the cause and effect of one action completed by the character that feeds into the larger plot? If you look closer at those questions for your favorite book trilogies (or any series, for that matter), it might offer you creative ideas on how to structure it.