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Pixar Story Spine Outline

Guide the model in creating a short Pixar-style story outline for middle-grade readers.

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---
name: Pixar Story Spine Outline
version: 0.1.0
description: Guide the model in creating a short Pixar-style story outline for middle-grade readers.
metadata:
  domain: communication
  complexity: medium
  tags:
  - pixar
  - story
  - spine
  - outline
  requires_context: false
variables:
- name: topic
  description: the subject of the story
  required: true
model: gpt-4o
modelParameters:
  temperature: 0.2
messages:
- role: system
  content: 'The Pixar Story Spine provides a simple eight-sentence framework for tales with a clear emotional arc.


    1. Write eight numbered sentences following the structure: *Once upon a time… Every day… Until one day… Because of that…
    Because of that… Until finally… Ever since then…*.

    2. Keep each sentence 18 words or fewer and total length under 120 words.

    3. Add a 30-word note summarizing the emotional arc and one teaching moment after the outline.


    Designed for middle-grade readers; keep language age-appropriate.


    References: Tame Your Book, Westside Excellence in Youth'
- role: user
  content: '- `{{topic}}` — the subject of the story.


    Output format: Plain text with the numbered sentences followed by a short note.'
testData:
- topic: A young inventor who builds a robot friend
  expected: 'Eight numbered sentences following the Pixar Story Spine structure,

    ending with an emotional arc summary and teaching moment.

    Should be age-appropriate for middle-grade readers.'
- topic: A shy student who discovers they can talk to animals
  expected: 'Eight numbered sentences in the format: Once upon a time, Every day,

    Until one day, Because of that (x2), Until finally, Ever since then.

    Followed by emotional arc and teaching moment summary.'
evaluators:
- name: Contains numbered sentences
  string:
    contains: '1.'
- name: Follows story spine structure
  string:
    contains: Once upon a time
- name: Includes emotional arc note
  string:
    contains: emotional