Understanding great storytelling involves understanding the human psyche. Expectations, anticipation, and suspense are all used to keep an audience or a reader engaged. A well-crafted story is pieced together to drive our curiosities, leaving us wanting to turn the page, start the next episode, or debate on the ending of the film we just walked out of. Few storytelling techniques tap into our curiosity (and frustration) like a well-executed cliffhanger. Spoilers ahead.Continue reading What is a Cliffhanger in a Story — And Why They Work
A darkened theater. The murmur of the audience fading as the lights dim. Anticipation palpable in the air. Suddenly, the curtain lifts and a different world comes alive right before your eyes. This is the magic of a play. From ancient Greek tragedies to modern Broadway musicals, plays have evolved and adapted to reflect the changing times and societies. They have and will continue to hold a special place in our culture and hearts.Continue reading What is a Play — History, Anatomy, Types & Examples
Have you ever watched a movie and been stunned by its comically anti-climactic ending? What about a TV show like The Simpsons where Grandpa Simpson frequently tells long stories leading to nowhere? These are both examples of a “Shaggy Dog Story”, an archetypal trope in literature, TV and film that continues to surprise audiences to this day. In this article, we’re going to go over its definition and examples throughout history. Let’s dive in.Continue reading What is a Shaggy Dog Story — Definition & Examples
Open any book, play any song, or watch any movie and you’re sure to find not just one but several examples of figurative language in there. But how do you spot them? And what’s figurative language to begin with? We’re going to break down the term figurative language as well as define the most popular types you’re likely to come across. We’ll also provide figurative language examples across different types of media so that you won’t just know how to spot it, but you’ll be able to use figurative language correctly and successfully in your writing. Continue reading Figurative Language Examples…
Emotive language can be used to elicit emotional responses. But what is emotive language? And how can it be used to elicit emotional responses? We’re going to answer those questions by outlining an emotive language definition, as well as some emotive language examples. By the end, you’ll know what emotive language is, and how to use it in your own writing!Continue reading What is Emotive Language — Definition, Examples & Function
Oh, the apostrophe — the functional and creative literal device. And no we’re not talking about the punctuation mark, although that does deserve recognition too. We’re talking about the other apostrophe, the one you’ve likely encountered without realizing it had a specific name or literary purpose. Let's dive into the details. Continue reading What is an Apostrophe Literary Device (w/ Examples)?
Have you ever come across a peculiar word - 'enthymeme' - and wondered what it could possibly mean? Perhaps you've heard it mentioned in a debate or a rhetoric class. Either way, understanding the concept of enthymemes can be incredibly useful, especially if you're interested in the art of persuasion. Continue reading What is an Enthymeme — Definition and Examples
If you’ve ever seen Paula Abdul’s “Opposites Attract” music video, you know that opposite doesn’t always mean opposition. She’s serious, he’s light! He’s a cinephile, she’s obsessed with TV. She’s a human and he’s a 2D animated cat, but why should that stand in the way of love? Difference can spark attraction! The same rule applies to writing. Understanding contrast is one of the most powerful tools in storytelling and language. In this essay, we’ll look at the origin, functions, and types of antonyms, as well as the aforementioned music video (still a classic nearly 40 years later). But first,…
To use a tautology or not to use a tautology in your writing, that is the question. Whether you’re a script writer, a casual writer, or just your average everyday email writer, you may find yourself wondering, ‘What is a tautology?’ ‘When is it appropriate to use a tautology in a sentence?’ Or even, ‘Why did my teacher say my essay was tautological?’ Well, have no fear, because this article will provide you with all the information you need to become an expert in all things tautologies. Continue reading What is a Tautology — Definition & Examples Explained
Narratively, a Pixar animation and a multiverse martial arts epic couldn’t be more different. But Inside Out and Everything Everywhere All at Once both use bold, kinetic visuals to explore humanity deeply. Behind the wild colors and chaos lies something surprisingly structured. Syllogism in film is a sequence of reasoning where a conclusion follows from two premises, and it’s the hidden logic that makes even the most animated worlds feel grounded. Joy believes Riley must always be happy, so she suppresses Sadness, a flawed premise that shapes the entire emotional arc. Evelyn believes she’s failed her daughter in every universe,…
