Diagramming “The Language is the Circle” 

Diagramming “The Language is the Circle” with Dan Harmon’s Story Circle

This page visualizes the concept “the language is the circle, the now is the not on the circle, the POV is the point in the story,” using Dan Harmon’s Story Circle. It shows how storytelling forms a cyclical narrative, with each moment and perspective playing a key role.

What is Dan Harmon’s Story Circle?

Dan Harmon’s Story Circle is an 8-step storytelling structure, adapted from Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. The steps are:

  1. You: A character is in a zone of comfort.
  2. Need: They want something.
  3. Go: They enter an unfamiliar situation.
  4. Search: They adapt to it.
  5. Find: They get what they wanted.
  6. Take: They pay a heavy price for it.
  7. Return: They return to their familiar situation.
  8. Change: They have changed.

This cycle guides the protagonist through a transformative journey, looping back to a new beginning.

Mapping the Concept

  • Language as the Circle: The Story Circle represents the “language” of storytelling, encompassing the full narrative arc.
  • Now as the Not on the Circle: The “now” is the current point on the circle, possibly a “knot” of tension, always shifting.
  • POV as the Point in the Story: The point of view is the perspective at the current point, shaping the story’s experience.

Visualization 1: Animated Story Circle

Below is an animated Story Circle with a visible circle, each step labeled. The red pulsing dot (“you are here”) shows the “now” and “POV” at the selected step. Use the selector to move the dot.

1. You
2. Need
3. Go
4. Search
5. Find
6. Take
7. Return
8. Change

Visualization 2: Linear Timeline

This timeline maps the Story Circle steps linearly, showing the progression of “now.” The highlighted step (in red) indicates the current “now,” synced with the circle selector.

1. You
2. Need
3. Go
4. Search
5. Find
6. Take
7. Return
8. Change

Visualization 3: POV Selector

Select a step and character from “The Tortoise and the Hare” to see how the POV changes at different points, synced with the circle selector.

Tortoise at Step 1: Feels confident but aware of the challenge.

Example: “The Tortoise and the Hare”

Using the fable “The Tortoise and the Hare,” we see how the concept applies:

  • Step 1: You – Both prepare for the race (Now: Race announcement; POV: Tortoise confident, Hare smug).
  • Step 2: Need – They want to win (Now: Race start; POV: Both eager).
  • Step 3: Go – Race begins (Now: Competition starts; POV: Hare fast, Tortoise steady).
  • Step 4: Search – Hare runs ahead, Tortoise persists (Now: Mid-race; POV: Hare overconfident, Tortoise calm).
  • Step 5: Find – Hare naps, Tortoise nears end (Now: Hare asleep; POV: Hare relaxed, Tortoise determined).
  • Step 6: Take – Tortoise wins, Hare loses (Now: Finish line; POV: Tortoise triumphant, Hare shocked).
  • Step 7: Return – Back to starting point (Now: Post-race; POV: Both reflective).
  • Step 8: Change – Hare learns humility, Tortoise gains confidence (Now: Lesson learned; POV: Hare humbled, Tortoise proud).

Conclusion

Dan Harmon’s Story Circle, timeline, and POV selector visualize how language (the story), the present moment (now), and point of view (POV) interweave in a narrative cycle. These tools aid in analyzing and crafting stories, highlighting each moment and perspective.