In speeches, in poetry, in literature, you may have come across a grammatical and rhetorical technique known as parallelism. It is famously known for its use of repetition, its use of emphasis, and its use of persuasion. Writers and politicians use parallelism in different ways for different reasons, as do authors and poets. But what… Continue reading What is Parallelism — Definition and Examples for Writers
Basic CharactersOpen menu Types of Characters in a Story Protagonist Deuteragonist Antagonist Hero Anti Hero Tragic Hero Tritagonist Superhero Anti-Villain Villain Foil Character Character TropesOpen menu Common Character Types Character Archetypes Types of Villains Femme Fatale Mad Scientist Mary Sue Damsel in Distress CharacterizationOpen menu What is Characterization Characterization Examples in Movies Characterization of Anton… Continue reading What is Direct Characterization — Character Building Tips
Literary devices aim to utilize words to communicate more efficiently and more effectively to readers and audiences. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at a literary device that aims to do just that simply by using the same word or phrase again and again. This is of course repetition. Repetition may seem straightforward, but… Continue reading What is Repetition — Definition and Examples for Writers
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… Continue reading What is Anaphora — Definition and Examples for Writers
Context has the ability to change the meaning of a story and how we view its characters — but what is context? We’re going to answer that question by looking at examples from The Office, In Cold Blood and more. We’ll also look at some tips and tricks for how you can effectively implement this… Continue reading What is Context — Definition and Examples for Writers
3 Types of Irony Dramatic IronyOpen menu What is Tragic Irony Stages of Dramatic Irony Verbal IronyOpen menu Sarcasm Understatement Overstatement Socratic Irony Situational IronyOpen menu Cosmic Irony Poetic Justice Structural Irony Historical Irony (FREE E-Book) Irony Explained: The Ultimate Guide We encounter irony every day: in our favorite movies, TV shows, and in our… Continue reading 3 Types of Irony Every Storyteller Should Know (with Examples)
What is tone? To answer that question we have to place tone in an appropriate context. Tone can refer to the intonation/pitch of acoustics, the meeting of light and shadow, the firmness of muscles, etc. — but we’re going to focus on what tone means in storytelling. Tone is how an artist feels towards the… Continue reading What is Tone in Literature & Film — A Guide for Storytellers
One of the most effective ways at making a line of text in literature memorable is by creating rhythm. Writers have a few ways of creating rhythm such as rhyming and alliteration. However, both can become redundant because of their more obvious nature. A more subtle literary device that creates rhythm is assonance. What is… Continue reading What is Assonance — Definition and Examples for Writers
Trope EssentialsOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Character Tropes Stock Character Mary Sue Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mad Scientist Femme Fatale Damsel in Distress Plot TropesOpen menu Plot Device Deus ex Machina Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring Deal with the Devil Narrative… Continue reading Deus ex Machina — Meaning, Definition & Examples in Movies
Satire is a term that is often misunderstood and for good reason. With the advent of the internet, social media, and memes, it has become the main vehicle for writers and creatives to deliver their social and political commentary. But what is satire and what exactly defines something as satirical? To understand this, we’ll dive… Continue reading What is Satire — 3 Types of Satire Every Storyteller Should Know
There are various literary devices that cross over from literature to everyday language. Perhaps the most commonly used literary device in everyday conversations is the euphemism. Euphemisms can change over time and change between cultures but what is a euphemism? What does euphemism mean? In this article, we’ll take a look at how this literary… Continue reading What is a Euphemism — Definition, Examples for All Writers
Metaphor Mixed Metaphor Visual Metaphor Extended Metaphor Implied Metaphor Dead Metaphor Film is primarily a visual medium. Filmmakers have various tools to create meaning through visual elements, one of which is the visual metaphor. Visual metaphors are often subtle, but are incredibly important for filmmakers in communicating and resonating with an audience. What is a… Continue reading What is a Visual Metaphor — Definition & Examples in Art & Film
What is connotation? We often hear about how certain things have good or bad connotations, but how do we know? We’re going to answer that question by looking at some examples of connotations in literature and film. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize and apply all sorts of connotations in writing and everyday… Continue reading What is Connotation? Definition & Examples in Literature & Film
Satire is one of the most useful tools writers can use to comment on the follies of humanity and the evils that exist in the world. We’re going to look at some satire examples in literature and movies to gain a better understanding of the term. By seeing how satire is used in a variety… Continue reading Satire Examples in Literature and Movies Explained
Foreshadowing is an important element of screenwriting. It’s a fantastic tool you can use to create a layered and intriguing story that will keep your audience captivated and engaged. But how do you use foreshadowing, and how does it work? In this article, we’re going to dissect some of the best foreshadowing examples in movies… Continue reading Foreshadowing Examples — Us, Parasite & Movies That Nailed It
Symbolism can create an indelible impression on an audience. Symbolism runs through literature, poetry, and especially screenwriting, where visuals are paramount. But what is symbolism? In this article, we’ll define symbolism and show how symbols change over time. We’ll explore this topic by looking at common symbolism examples in literature and film. Pertinently, we’ll explore… Continue reading What is Symbolism? Definition, Examples in Literature & Film
Trope EssentialsOpen menu What is a Trope What is a Cliche Tropes & Cliches to Avoid Character TropesOpen menu Character Tropes Stock Character Mary Sue Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mad Scientist Femme Fatale Damsel in Distress Plot TropesOpen menu Plot Device Deus ex Machina Flashback MacGuffin Plot Twist Red Herring Deal with the Devil Narrative… Continue reading What is a Flashback? Definition and Examples in Literature and Film
Some may argue whether a screenplay is truly a work of literature. Nevertheless, anyone who’s sat down to write a screenplay knows it isn’t for the faint of heart. To juggle all aspects successfully, a screenwriter needs a few tools in their toolbelt. Enter common literary devices, literary elements and literary techniques. Besides listing, defining,… Continue reading What are Literary Devices? Definitions and Examples for Screenwriters
What is an allegory? An allegory is an important part of a symbolic story. Many of us have heard the term used when describing literature or film, but how do we know what it means? We’re going to get to the bottom of those questions by looking at examples from Fight Club, Snowpiercer, and more,… Continue reading What is an Allegory? Definition and Examples in Literature and Film
In storytelling, it can be extremely valuable to be able to compare a new idea to something the audience already knows. One of the best tools to do this is the simile. So, what is a simile used for? They can make dialogue, characters, or themes of a story more relatable. From outrageous comedies like… Continue reading What is a Simile? Definition and Examples in Literature and Film
