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, with… Continue reading What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples
Though there is a strategy and time for passive voice, active voice is a telltale sign of strong writing. Switching to active voice can improve your efficiency and even your authority as a writer. How can you know for sure? Keep reading to find out how to spot active voice and how to implement it… Continue reading What is Active Voice in Writing — Definition, Examples & Tips
What is a palindrome? Actually, there are a few different types and we will dig into all of them. In this post, we’ll define palindrome, cover the rules that govern the different styles, and take a look at examples of each type. We will even take a look at a few examples of palindromes in… Continue reading What is a Palindrome — Definition, Examples & How They Work
What is a protagonist? Many refer to it as the leading character in a story. But is the protagonist something more? Or something less? To understand the definition fully, we need to look at how different types of protagonists are used in screenwriting. This will help us decide which type works best for our scripts.Continue… Continue reading What is a Protagonist — Definition & Examples for Screenwriters
All writers aim to engage their audience. And to engage their audience, their writing must be effective. So what are the tricks of the trade to effective writing? There are various elements to great writing, but two fundamental elements are clear communication of ideas and conciseness. One of the best tools a writer has to… Continue reading What is an Analogy — Definition, Examples in Literature & Film
What is something each and every story ever told has in common? If you guessed “a setting,” you’d be correct! When your narrative involves characters and motivation, a setting is almost always a given. Sometimes a setting is massive and expansive, while other times it’s small and intimate. So what is a setting, what does… Continue reading Setting Examples — How to Use Time and Place in Film & Lit.
When looking at some of cinema and literature’s most iconic characters, it’s easy to find ones that are non-human. Animals, androids, and other non-human characters, however, have somehow won our hearts over in countless tales. This is largely due to the fact that these non-human characters are given human traits, otherwise known as anthropomorphism. What is… Continue reading What is Anthropomorphism — Definition, Examples & Uses
Great writers find ways to do away with superfluous language. Their prose is both precise and efficient in conveying meaning in a concise, yet vivid way. A great literary tool to achieve this is the epithet. While you may not yet be familiar with the epithet definition, you have probably heard or used one (or… Continue reading What is an Epithet — Definition, Types, and Examples for Writers
Prose can be a rather general literary term that many use to describe all types of writing. However, prose by definition pertains to specific qualities of writing that we will dive into in this article. What is the difference between prose and poetry and what is prose used for? Let’s define this essential literary concept… Continue reading What is Prose — Definition and Examples in Literature
You might not know what a colloquialism is, but I can guarantee you have used one at one point. Colloquialisms have a place in both everyday language and writing in literature and film. What is colloquialism used for? In this article, we’ll explore the colloquialism definition and look at why and how it is used… Continue reading What is Colloquialism — Definition and Examples for Writers
What is third person omniscient point of view? Third person omniscient point of view is the perfect perspective for writers who want to play god. We’re going to define this specific type of point of view by looking at examples from video essays and literature. By the end, you’ll know why third person omniscient POV… Continue reading What is Third Person Omniscient Point of View — Writer’s Guide
Denouement is one of the most important aspects of a script, yet it can easily be confused with other story beats like climaxes or epilogues. So what is denouement? In this article, we’re going to define denouement in a clear and simple way, then look at some key examples that show us how masterclass filmmakers… Continue reading What is Denouement — Definition and Examples of Denouement in Movies
The rule of three is one of the most important rules in all of writing – but what is the rule of three? We’re going to explore this fascinating and useful rule by looking at examples in sentences, situations, and stories. This article will serve as a referential guide for you to circle back to… Continue reading What is the Rule of Three — A Literary Device for Writers
Peter Piper picked a pickled pepper, put it in his tupper-cupboard and ate it late for supper. Believe it or not, that line is emblematic of consonance – but what is consonance? We’re going to answer that question by outlining a consonance definition, and by exploring consonance examples in poetry/literature. By the end, you’ll know… Continue reading What is Consonance — Definition, Examples and Effects
It’s not so much that there are different types of personas so much as there are different interpretations of the word. An artist’s persona, a literary work’s personae, or the persona a writer takes on in a written work. So what is a persona exactly? And how do you know when you’re looking at one?… Continue reading What is a Persona — Definition & Examples in Literature & Art
Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” is one of the most well-known philosophical concepts in history. As such, it only makes sense that numerous filmmakers would try to incorporate this philosophy into their movies. But what exactly is it? And why does it work so well in the context of filmmaking? We’ll look at this concept… Continue reading Plato’s Allegory of the Cave — Summary & Meaning Explained
Have you ever watched a movie with a plot twist that blew your mind and then watched that movie again and noticed signs leading to the twist? You’re not alone. So, what is foreshadowing? Is it just simply dropping clues or is it something more? Implementing foreshadowing techniques into your story can create anticipation that… Continue reading What is Foreshadowing — Definition, Examples in Film and Lit.
Litotes may sound like it is a term from another language, but it is in fact one of the most commonly used literary devices in everyday language. Litotes can be found in literature, movies, pop cultural, and casual conversations. So what is litotes in literature? And how exactly do you pronounce it? In this article… Continue reading What is Litotes — Definition and Examples for Writers
Filmmakers and screenwriters will always be faced with the same challenge for every film: How, when, and where should the film start? One method in a screenwriter’s toolbox when beginning their script is by commencing the story in medias res. But what does in medias res mean, and how is it used? Read more to… Continue reading In Medias Res — Definition, Examples & How It Works in Stories
What is an archetype? Archetypes play an integral role in how people understand each other – but what are they? We’re going to answer that question as we define archetype, then we’ll look at some archetype examples from classic literature and film. By the end, you’ll know why archetypes are so important for storytellers –… Continue reading What is an Archetype — Definition & Examples in Storytelling
