Pinch Point
A moment that reminds the reader of the antagonist's threat, typically placed at roughly the 37% and 62% marks, midway through each half of the second act.
Last updatedPinch points are structural beats that reassert the antagonistic force's power and menace. They typically occur at roughly the 37% and 62% marks of a story (between the first plot point and midpoint, and between the midpoint and second plot point). Their purpose is to keep the central threat vivid in the reader's mind, especially during stretches focused on the protagonist's internal journey.
In The Silence of the Lambs, the first pinch point comes when Clarice views the storage unit containing the severed head, a stark reminder of Buffalo Bill's depravity. In The Lord of the Rings, glimpses of Sauron's armies massing serve as pinch points, reminding readers what is at stake even during quieter character-driven passages.
Pinch points are easy to overlook during outlining, but their absence is felt. Without them, the antagonist can fade from the reader's consciousness, deflating tension. They do not need to be dramatic confrontations; even a brief scene showing the villain's progress or a reminder of the ticking clock can serve the purpose effectively.