H ave you ever wondered why the mockingbird sings in Harper Lee’s classic, or what the green light at the end of the dock means in The Great Gatsby? Or perhaps you’ve pondered on the deeper significance of the spinning top in Christopher Nolan’s Inception. These aren’t just random elements thrown into the mix to make… Continue reading Types of Symbolism — Examples from Literature and Cinema
Anaphora is an important rhetorical device for emphasizing concepts and ideas. But what is anaphora? Fear not, we’re going to explain anaphora by exploring a variety of anaphora examples. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize and utilize anaphora in writing.Continue reading Anaphora Examples — Literature, Film, Music, Poetry & More
What is Point of ViewOpen menu First Person Point of View Second Person Point of View Third Person Point of View Third Person Point of ViewOpen menu Third Person Point of View Third Person Omniscient Point of View Third Person Limited Point of View What is third person limited point of view? Third person limited… Continue reading What is Third Person Limited Point of View
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Catharsis Motif Plot Protagonist Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Foreshadowing Irony Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Write Your Script For Free → The most striking characters in film have detailed, complicated character traits. On occasion, our heroes succumb to the power of their most wicked flaws. Hamartia is a… Continue reading What is Hamartia — Examples of Tragic Characters in Lit. & Film
Metaphor Mixed Metaphor Visual Metaphor Metaphors are a crucial part of any writer’s prose. The figurative language technique can illustrate an idea or image in just a few words. Metaphors come in all shapes and sizes. One of the subtlest of its forms is the implied metaphor– a linguistic flare that you can miss if… Continue reading What is an Implied Metaphor — Definition, Examples & Usages
Metaphor Mixed Metaphor Visual Metaphor Metaphors are an important part of any writer’s lexicon. At their best, metaphors can crystalize an image or meaning in just a few words. Sometimes, however, they’re not operating at their best. Some of the most maligned metaphors are called dead metaphors, and most writers avoid them. But what is… Continue reading What is a Dead Metaphor — Examples & How to Avoid Them
ConnotationOpen menu Connotation Negative Connotation Positive Connotation Denotation Connotation vs Denotation Connotation vs denotation: one is subjective, the other is objective. Can you guess which is which? Fear not, no guessing required; we’re going to explain everything there is to know about connotation vs denotation by breaking down examples from literature and film. By the… Continue reading Connotation vs Denotation — Examples & Differences Explained
Stylistic devices, also known as figures of speech or literary devices, hold a significant role in adding depth, meaning, and artistic quality to pieces of literature. But what are stylistic devices? They are the colors that paint the canvas of prose, poetry, drama, and non-fiction, enhancing the vibrancy of the work and engaging the reader’s… Continue reading What are Stylistic Devices — How to Elevate Your Writing
What is Rhetoric Rhetorical DevicesOpen menu Alliteration Anaphora Hypophora Onomatopoeia Oxymoron Simile Write Your Script For Free → Abraham Lincoln famously said that “no government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall perish from this Earth.” But did you know that “the people” is a famous example of an epistrophe? So,… Continue reading What is an Epistrophe — Definition, Examples for Writers
The world would be a lot more boring without figurative language. Look at your favorite novel, essay, monologue, script – you’re guaranteed to find at least a few figurative language examples (if it’s a novel, you’ll probably find hundreds). Figurative language is absolutely necessary to understand for any aspiring writer or, really, for anyone who… Continue reading What is Figurative Language — Definition, Examples & Types
Syntax EssentialsOpen menu What is Syntax What is Passive Voice What is Active Voice Active vs. Passive Voice Sentence StructureOpen menu What is Text Structure What is Sentence Structure Simple Sentence Structure Compound Sentence Structure Compound-Complex Sentence Structure Complex Sentence Structure Short, simple sentences are great. But if they’re all you use, your writing can… Continue reading What is a Compound Sentence Structure — Examples and Tips for Writers
You may have seen something out of time in a period piece, like machine guns in the Middle Ages. You may have come across a story where everyone in the 22nd century is still using 20th century technology. It’s the sort of thing you may notice immediately or not at all, depending on how subtle… Continue reading What is Anachronism — Definition, Examples & Creative Uses
Plot TropesOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring FREE Movie Scripts: StudioBinder Screenwriting Library Write Your Script for Free What is a plot twist? It’s a term we’ve all heard before – but we rarely ever hear it defined. So today, we’re going to define plot… Continue reading What is a Plot Twist — Definition, Examples and Types Explained
Syntax EssentialsOpen menu What is Syntax What is Passive Voice What is Active Voice Active vs. Passive Voice Sentence StructureOpen menu What is Text Structure What is Sentence Structure Simple Sentence Structure Compound Sentence Structure Compound-Complex Sentence Structure Complex Sentence Structure Sentences are at the core of any language. We all speak them, but we… Continue reading What is a Compound-Complex Sentence Structure — Examples
Anagnorisis is a literary device that has been used for centuries to create dramatic turning points in stories. In this article, we will explore the origins of anagnorisis, how it works as a storytelling technique, and some examples of its use in popular works of fiction. Whether you are an aspiring writer or just curious about… Continue reading What is Anagnorisis — Definition and Examples for Writers
Syntax EssentialsOpen menu What is Syntax What is Passive Voice What is Active Voice Active vs. Passive Voice Sentence StructureOpen menu What is Text Structure What is Sentence Structure Simple Sentence Structure Compound Sentence Structure Compound-Complex Sentence Structure Complex Sentence Structure A simple sentence is a fundamental tool of language. Don’t believe me? Each sentence… Continue reading What is a Simple Sentence Structure — Examples and Tips for Writers
Adages, idioms, axioms, aphorisms: what makes each unique? We’re going to break down what makes aphorisms unique by asking the question “what is an aphorism?” and by exploring aphorism examples. By the end, you’ll know what aphorisms are and how to utilize them in everyday writing and conversation. Continue reading What is an Aphorism — Definition,… Continue reading What is an Aphorism — Definition, Examples and Writing Tips
Narrative ElementsOpen menu Antagonist Catharsis Motif Plot Protagonist Theme Narrative DevicesOpen menu Deus ex Machina Foreshadowing Irony Personification Plot Twist Red Herring Write Your Script For Free → 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… Continue reading What is Juxtaposition in Film? Definition and Examples
Syntax EssentialsOpen menu What is Syntax What is Passive Voice What is Active Voice Active vs. Passive Voice Sentence StructureOpen menu What is Text Structure What is Sentence Structure Simple Sentence Structure Compound Sentence Structure Compound-Complex Sentence Structure Complex Sentence Structure A complex sentence structure might sound daunting. What is a complex sentence structure? I’ve… Continue reading What is a Complex Sentence Structure — Examples and Tips
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
