Vertical Axis
The vertical axis defines what depth of analysis you're operating at — six strata from observable surface (D5) down to thematic core (D0), each demanding different frameworks and specific questions about what the story is doing at that level.
What you'll learn: The six depth dimensions, their defining questions, and the frameworks that belong to each stratum.
What to do: Fix your dimension before drilling in; apply only the frameworks native to that depth, not the full stack.
What to watch for: Moments where a surface observation (D5) has an unexpectedly direct thematic resonance (D0) — these are a story's most loaded scenes.
Coordinate Picker
Choose position + dimension
Coordinate Picker
[6:00] / [Dimension 2] Axis Structure & Notation
The vertical axis consists of six story depth dimensions arranged from surface to core. Each dimension represents a different depth of analysis, using specific frameworks and asking specific analytical questions.
Dimension Numbering Convention
Surface Dimension 5 (what you see first)
Structural Dimension 4 (narrative mechanics and architecture)
Cognitive Dimension 3 (how characters think and reason)
Psychological Dimension 2 (character's emotional interior)
Archetype Dimension 1 (universal primordial patterns)
Core Dimension 0 (deepest essence)
Descending numbers indicate increasing depth: analyzing from Surface Dimension 5 → Core Dimension 0 means moving from surface toward core.
Coordinate Notation
Every analysis point can be located using coordinates that combine horizontal axis [Story Timeline Position] with vertical axis [Story Depth Dimension].
Standard notation: [Story Timeline Position] / [Story Depth Dimension]
Examples:
[12:00] / [Surface Dimension 5]= Origin at surface level[6:00] / [Psychological Dimension 2]= Midpoint at psychological depth[9:00] / [Core Dimension 0]= Crisis at thematic core
Read as: "Position [X], Dimension [Y]"
- "Position six o'clock, Psychological Dimension two"
- "Position nine o'clock, Core Dimension zero"
The Six Dimensions
Click any dimension rail to expand it. All six are always visible — Surface (D5) at top, Core (D0) at bottom.
◈ Dimension Characteristics ▾
Depth Increases Specificity
All describe same moment at different depths:
- D5: "Character crosses doorway" (concrete)
- D4: "Threshold function executed" (structural)
- D3: "Old reasoning inadequate" (cognitive)
- D2: "Ego destabilization begins" (psychological)
- D1: "Hero crosses to special world" (mythic)
- D0: "Commitment to truth-seeking" (thematic)
Entry Questions for Each Dimension
- D5: "What do I see/hear?"
- D4: "What is this scene's function?"
- D3: "How is the character thinking?"
- D2: "What is happening inside the character?"
- D1: "What universal pattern is this?"
- D0: "What does this mean about the core question?"
Which Frameworks Belong to Which Dimension
D5 (Expressive/Symbolic):
- Semiotics, visual symbolism, trope catalogs, film craft analysis
D4 (Structural):
- Dramatica, Harmon, Truby, beat systems, genre conventions, plot geometry
D3 (Cognitive):
- Logical fallacies, cognitive biases, rhetoric, TA, Moral Foundations, Spiral Dynamics
D2 (Psychological):
- Jung, Enneagram, temperaments, Lacan, attachment theory, defense mechanisms
D1 (Archetypal):
- ATU, Propp, Campbell, world mythologies, universal symbols
D0 (Core):
- Moral Premise, thematic analysis, Central Question, philosophical frameworks
↕ Vertical Movement Protocols ▾
Top-Down Analysis (Surface → Core)
Protocol: Start with what's visible, drill toward meaning.
- Observe surface (D5) → what do I see?
- Identify structure (D4) → how is it built?
- Analyze reasoning (D3) → how does the character think?
- Explore psychology (D2) → what drives the character?
- Find archetype (D1) → what universal pattern?
- Discover core (D0) → what does it mean?
Bottom-Up Analysis (Core → Surface)
Protocol: Start with the theme, trace how it expresses upward.
- State core question/problem (D0)
- Ask: "What myth carries this?" (D1)
- Ask: "What psychological wound creates this?" (D2)
- Ask: "What cognitive error embodies this?" (D3)
- Ask: "What structural beat reveals this?" (D4)
- Ask: "How is this made visible?" (D5)
Example: Control vs Surrender Theme
- D0: Theme: Control vs Surrender
- D1: Dragon Slayer myth (confronting chaos)
- D2: Fear of vulnerability, abandonment wound
- D3: False Dilemma fallacy (control or die)
- D4: Crisis beat, forced choice moment
- D5: Visual: Character releases grip, lets go of object
Cross-Layer Analysis (Tracking Single Element)
Protocol: Track one element through all six dimensions simultaneously.
Example: Tracking "The Key" (object/symbol)
[00:35:20] / [4:00] / [All Dimensions]
D5: Silver key, ornate, worn, character holds it carefully
D4: Plant for payoff at 10:00, MacGuffin driving search
D3: Symbol of "unlocking truth" vs staying ignorant
D2: Represents access to repressed memory/identity
D1: Archetypal key to underworld/forbidden knowledge
D0: Truth is accessible but requires courage
[01:18:45] / [10:00] / [All Dimensions]
D5: Key used, door opens, light floods through
D4: Payoff of plant, major revelation enabled
D3: Choosing knowledge despite cost
D2: Character accessing previously denied truth
D1: Returning from underworld with treasure/knowledge
D0: Theme resolved: Truth chosen over comfort
When to Change Dimensions
Change dimensions when:
Current dimension exhausted
- No more insights available at this depth
- Questions answered
- Pattern fully mapped
Different question emerges
- "How does this function?" → switch to D4
- "What does character believe?" → switch to D3
- "What wound drives this?" → switch to D2
- "What myth is this?" → switch to D1
- "What is this really about?" → switch to D0