How do writers make characters into people we can empathize with and understand? One way is through the use of characterization. But what is characterization? We’re going to answer that question by looking at examples from Kill Bill and The Social Network, and by listening to the perspective of some of the world’s most foremost… Continue reading What is Characterization — A Guide to Character Building
Syntax EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is Syntax Insert Image What is Passive Voice Insert Image What is Active Voice Insert Image Active vs. Passive Voice Sentence StructureOpen menu Insert Image What is Sentence Structure Insert Image Simple Sentence Structure Insert Image Compound Sentence Structure Insert Image Compound-Complex Sentence Structure Insert Image Complex Sentence Structure… Continue reading Active vs. Passive Voice — Differences and Usages Explained
HomeEthosPathoslogosTelosKairos Is there a worse feeling than losing an argument? It’s always frustrating to not be able to articulate your viewpoint or leave a conversation feeling like you didn’t get your ideas across effectively. The art of persuasion is an art as old as time: for as long as humans have been talking, they’ve been arguing.… Continue reading What Are Rhetorical Devices — Examples, Types & Techniques
Narrative films are made up of scenes. It should come as no surprise, then, that it’s pretty important for a screenwriter to know how to write a scene. If you can’t write a good scene, you can’t write a good movie. So what are some of the fundamental elements of a great scene? How can… Continue reading How to Write a Scene — Elements of a Great Scene Explained
Syntax EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is Syntax Insert Image What is Passive Voice Insert Image What is Active Voice Insert Image Active vs. Passive Voice Sentence StructureOpen menu Insert Image What is Sentence Structure Insert Image Simple Sentence Structure Insert Image Compound Sentence Structure Insert Image Compound-Complex Sentence Structure Insert Image Complex Sentence Structure… Continue reading What is a Simple Sentence Structure — Examples and Tips for Writers
All too often, the term “static character” carries a negative connotation. Some think this implies that a character is boring, overly simple, or even poorly written. However, the complete opposite can be true. Some of cinema’s most memorable characters are also static characters such as The Dude from The Big Lebowski, Anton Chigurh from No… Continue reading What is a Static Character — Definition, Examples in Storytelling
How to Format a ScreenplayOpen menu Insert Image Formatting a Screenplay Insert Image Margins Insert Image Scene Headings Insert Image Sluglines Insert Image Action / Description Insert Image Action Breaks Insert Image Character Cues Insert Image Dialogue Insert Image Transitions Insert Image Chyrons Insert Image Flashbacks Insert Image TV Script Format 101 FREE Movie Scripts:… Continue reading How to Write a Character Cue in a Screenplay
Two is always better than one when it comes to Juxtaposition. Other than being the game-winning word in your next Scrabble match, what is juxtaposition? It is a frequently used term throughout the artistic world from photography to literature to film. Despite its frequent use, its meaning can be quite vague. We’ll define juxtaposition with… Continue reading What is Juxtaposition in Film? Definition and Examples
Oh yes, we’ve come back to the ever-feared spec script; code-word for a script that isn’t commissioned. Writers far and wide, famous and infamous, all work on spec scripts. But what is a spec script? And what does it look like? Fear not, we’re going to answer those questions by looking at some spec script… Continue reading Spec Script Examples — What Does a Spec Script Look Like?
A great story is often, if not always, synonymous with great characters. Crafting great characters is not an easy feat. So it’s no wonder that readers and writers alike gravitate toward the best characters in storytelling. Analyzing characters can be incredibly helpful for crafting your own characters or simply understanding your favorite story more deeply.… Continue reading How to Write a Character Analysis — Tips and Techniques
What does pacing mean in the context of storytelling? What makes one story feel fast or another one feel slow? How can pacing be controlled? Throughout this post, we will be answering all of these questions and digging into everything you need to know about narrative pacing. Let’s get started with a definition.Continue reading What… Continue reading What is Narrative Pacing — And How to Control It
When you think of cinema in the 1980s, a few cult films might come to mind like Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Sixteen Candles to name a few. But did you know that the same screenwriter wrote all of these iconic ’80s films? His name is John Hughes and in… Continue reading Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Script PDF — Download & Analysis
Syntax EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image What is Syntax Insert Image What is Passive Voice Insert Image What is Active Voice Insert Image Active vs. Passive Voice Sentence StructureOpen menu Insert Image What is Sentence Structure Insert Image Simple Sentence Structure Insert Image Compound Sentence Structure Insert Image Compound-Complex Sentence Structure Insert Image Complex Sentence Structure… Continue reading What is a Complex Sentence Structure — Examples and Tips
BasicsOpen menu Insert Image Antagonist Insert Image Hero Insert Image Anti Hero Insert Image Tragic Hero Insert Image Superhero Insert Image Anti-Villain Insert Image Villain Character TropesOpen menu Insert Image Common Character Types Insert Image Character Archetypes Insert Image Types of Villains Insert Image Femme Fatale Insert Image Mad Scientist Insert Image Mary Sue Villains… Continue reading Types of Villains — 10 Forms of the Villain Archetype Explained
What is subtext? The age-old adage says that subtext is what’s inferred by reading between the lines, but how do we know what to look for? In this article, we’re going to define what subtext is, then look at some strong examples from screenplays. By the end, you’ll be ready to apply subtext into your… Continue reading What is Subtext — How to Use Subtext in Screenwriting
It’s encumbered on us, as filmmakers to try and push whatever boundaries we can, and not be beholden to a theoretical rule set.” Christopher Nolan embodies this mantra, and Interstellar is a shining example of how. Despite its detailed intricacies of space and time, the screenplay for Interstellar proves that story and character come before… Continue reading Interstellar Script PDF Download — Plot & Theme Analysis
Understanding the key differences between a story and a plot is imperative for any aspiring screenwriter. While these two elements often get used interchangeably, they are actually two distinct concepts that define how stories are structured and told. By learning to incorporate them both effectively into your projects, you will be able to craft truly… Continue reading Plot vs Story — Differences Every Screenwriter Should Know
What is a Metaphor What is a Mixed Metaphor What is a Visual Metaphor What is an Extended Metaphor What is an Implied Metaphor What is a Dead Metaphor No matter what you write, it’s agreed that metaphors are an important literary device. But, what is a metaphor? What does metaphor mean? In this article,… Continue reading What is a Metaphor — Definition and Examples in Lit. & Film
BasicsOpen menu Insert Image Antagonist Insert Image Hero Insert Image Anti Hero Insert Image Tragic Hero Insert Image Superhero Insert Image Anti-Villain Insert Image Villain Character TropesOpen menu Insert Image Common Character Types Insert Image Character Archetypes Insert Image Types of Villains Insert Image Femme Fatale Insert Image Mad Scientist Insert Image Mary Sue What… Continue reading What is a Hero — Definition, Examples & Types Explained
A climax in storytelling is the most intense, exciting, or emotionally charged point in a narrative. It is the conclusion of an arc in which readers see the main characters make decisions and face obstacles that define who they are and what they stand for. The climax allows stories to build to increasingly satisfying resolutions or tragic… Continue reading What is the Climax of a Story — Definition, Examples & Structure
