Acts, sequences & episode architecture · Working
Coda
Also called: tailpiece
ELI5
A brief final passage that completes, reflects on or recontextualises the ending.
Used in conversation
“The coda returns to the opening image and shows what has changed.”
Pitch context
Use this when explaining how the story works on the page or across the finished screen experience.
Why it matters: Helps describe how a story works on the page and how its dramatic parts fit together.
Sources & evidence · 6
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Screen Australia — Story Documents: DramaDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Scriptnotes / John August — Pitching Television, or Being a Passionate WidgetDirect source · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14
- Writers Guild of America West — No Writing Left BehindDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Screen Australia — What is a Synopsis? An Outline? A Treatment?Supporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- ScreenSkills — Online Learning Glossary and Job ProfilesSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- pitch.dog — Pitch Dictionary Deep Research SynthesisSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14