Every story, whether told through literature or film, thrives on the rising action—the heartbeat of any compelling narrative. As an aspiring writer or storyteller, mastering this element can transform your work from simple text or scenes into a captivating journey. In this article, we'll explore how to craft this crucial component, drawing lessons from both mediums. Let's dive into the art of escalating tension and suspense that keeps audiences hooked.Continue reading What is Rising Action in a Story — Examples & Techniques
The Good Will Hunting script won the Oscar for the Best Original Screenplay in 1997. It also launched the careers of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. We're going to analyze the Good Will Hunting screenplay, covering story beats, scene studies, and the most important takeaways. Finally, you'll also find a complete copy of the Good Will Hunting screenplay below. Continue reading Good Will Hunting Script: Screenplay Plot Analysis & PDF Download
You might not know what a colloquialism is, but I can guarantee you have used one at one point. What is colloquialism used for? In this article, we’ll explore the colloquialism definition and look at why and how it is used by writers in literature and cinema. Continue reading What is Colloquialism: Definition & Examples
Empathy is more than a feeling; it's a potent tool that allows us to understand and share the feelings of others. This capacity to connect emotionally can transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones. In the realms of storytelling and film, empathy has a unique role, elevating narratives and forging a deep connection between the audience and characters. This article will explore the essence of empathy and its pivotal role in creating compelling stories and memorable cinematic experiences.Continue reading What is Empathy — The Heart of Storytelling and Film
Anaphora can be iconic. Anaphora can be memorable. Anaphora can be effective. Okay, that may be a terrible example of the effectiveness of anaphora. Nevertheless, anaphora is responsible for some of the most iconic speeches in history. What is anaphora and how does it accomplish all of these things? In this article, we’ll take a look at the definition and examine uses of it in history, literature and film. Continue reading What is Anaphora — Definition and Examples for Writers
What is theme? In the simplest terms, a theme is the subject of a story. But that definition actually does more harm than good in fully understanding the theme of a story. In this article, we’re going to look at some common misconceptions by breaking down how to use theme in literature and screenwriting. But before we jump into some theme examples, let’s start with a theme definition.Continue reading What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples
Looking to brainstorm new characters? Perhaps, you want to flesh out existing characters or pair them against another character to maximize drama and develop deeper character arcs. Writing a compelling character is easier said than done. However, it's helpful to consider tried-and-true character archetypes to ensure every character behaves in a way that is unique, consistent, and believable. In this post, we'll identify the various character archetypes that you can use to enhance your own characters. Plus, we'll include plenty of iconic character archetype examples from your favorite movies and TV shows. Lastly, we'll define which character archetypes can be…
When was the last time you shed a tear while watching a film? Can you recall the specific scene? Many describe this as a “good cry.” How can a cry be good? Many people have pent-up emotions from various events in life. Art can evoke an emotional release of these emotions, also known as catharsis. The experience of catharsis can be overwhelmingly emotional. Films that create catharsis can move an audience to tears while also leaving them completely satisfied. What is catharsis, and how is this possible? Let’s explore the catharsis definition and how it applies to storytelling.Continue reading What…
The Best Breakup Scenes? Classifying on-screen heartbreak into a “best” category may be a little callous. But just like your ex, we’re going to do whatever we want, anyway! Just kidding. We made a list of the saddest movie breakup scenes in recent years. So however you choose to judge those gut wrenching moments in cinema, the ones that capture the truth and rawness of what breakups actually feel like, you can check them out below. The saddest ones are often the ones that have no makeup scene to follow. Of course, we added those scenes in too, for the…
What is a monologue? Some of the most iconic lines in the history of literature and cinema have come from monologues. As a character spills their thoughts and emotions into a speech, they often create memorable lines that connect to other characters and the audience. In this article, we’ll explore the monologue meaning and its significance in storytelling and analyze iconic examples. We’ll also look at the three types of monologues with examples of each. Let’s dive in.Continue reading What is a Monologue — Definition, Examples & Types Explained
