Thursday, 7/12: Structure and Plot, Workshop I

Elements of Craft: Structure and Plot.

• In media res
• Bookending
• Major dramatic question
• What is in the story should progress the plot, develop character, or both.
• Protagonist, Goal (concrete goal often embody abstract goals), Conflict (internal and external)
• Plot and character are almost inseparable
• Plot vs. Subplots: Plot is the story of the protagonist. Subplots (in novellas and novels) concern the secondary characters, but are relevant to the main arc. Subplot can complement the main plot either by echoing it in some way(s) or by contrasting with it.
• Turning true stories into storytelling
• How plot emerges
• Hero's journey (for novels). The Hero's Journey is the classic format of adventure stories.
• Summary of steps of the Hero's Journey
• Visual of the Hero's Journey

Prompt A: Write a story that starts and ends with the opening or closing of doors.

Prompt B: Write an instructional that also tells a story.  

Workshop (afternoon): Daniel, Lina, Megha, Samantha, Paige, Jack