·
To create content: brainstorm,
free-write, draft a first draft
·
To apply structure: outline first
draft, then draft second draft
·
To perfect language: revise, edit,
and proofread
Content refers to the subject matter of a story.
·
The who, what, when, where, and how of a specific idea
·
A character (the protagonist) finds himself in a difficult
situation at a certain time and place and must deal with that situation.
·
How the protagonist deals with the situation depends
on the protagonist’s wants, character, and the nature of the obstacles he must overcome.
·
Content provides the “story question or problem”
that propels the protagonist through the plot and ultimately reveals a universal theme, a jolt, an epiphany, some small observance
of life.
·
Content evolves from a premise, notes, a rough draft,
research, observation, plus the attitudes and concerns of the writer.
Structure refers to the basic organization of a story.
·
Just as a play is divided
into three acts, most stories have three main segments
o
The opening
(Act 1) gives a story focus and meaning by providing the premise, setting, and tone of the story as well as hints at the
nature of obstacles the protagonist will face.
o
The main
body of the story (Act 2) focuses on the protagonist’s actions to resolve the story problem.
o
The conclusion (Act 3) reveals the results of the protagonist’s
struggle and infuses that struggle with meaning.
· Each segment of a story has a similar structure: the overall story as well as
each chapter, each scene within the chapter, each beat within the scene
· Structure also involves other devices such as set-ups and pay-offs, sub-plots,
and the shaping of structure specifically to content.
· Structure evolves from outlines, note-taking, drafts or a combination of the three.
Language refers the diction and style used to express a story’s idea.
· Diction refers the specific words that are chosen
· Style refers to how those words are combined, the order, the length of sentences and includes
the use of literary devices such as metaphor, symbolism, and allusion.
· Grammar keeps writing clear and understandable.
· Language evolves from revision and rhythm.
