Lesson 4

Question 1

Dramatic scene

Answer 1

three-dimensional, visual creations containing setting, action, and dialogue. A story is delivered – generally – in one dramatic scene after the next. Dramatic scenes run – in the reader’s mind – just like a movie. It is here the reader is shown who, when, where, and how the characters act, allowing that reader to experience the action. It is here, that the dynamic interaction between one character and another occurs, or between a character and the setting, or even between a character and himself. The beauty of a well-written dramatic scene allows the reader to experience the events first-hand.

Question 2

Summary/Exposition

Answer 2

really means that you’re going to tell low priority or background information the reader still needs to know. An example might be that your character, Calvin, needs to get from New York to Los Angeles to save his girl. Too broke to fly, he must cross the country quickly. The drive over isn’t eventful but important enough to summarize: “Calvin drove straight through, 45 hours, and stopped eight times for gas and Doritos. He peed in a mayonnaise jar.”

Some writers stay too long in summary and unintentionally lessen the impact of the work. Readers need to experience the story for themselves. So show what you need to show, and quickly summarize the lower priority information.

When changing scenes or time, you should add a double return (hit “enter” twice), creating a little white space indicating, to the reader, time or a change of scene has occurred.

Question 3

Setting

Answer 3

Despite the environment of your story, it’s imperative that readers know where to plant their feet. Remember that setting should complement the story. We all know ghost stories seldom happen on a sunny day in May.

Setting also helps set the tone of the piece overall. Of course, the setting might be at odds with the story: a comedy in a graveyard, a murder at an amusement park. A solid awareness of setting is always important.

Question 4

Dialogue

Answer 4

Each player gets his/her own paragraph for spoken words and actions. It’s a little like a tennis game. Paragraphing directs your readers’ attention from one character to another and back. Keep this process in mind when you write dramatic action.

Every word in dialogue should characterize the speaker or move the story forward, preferably both.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS read your dialogue aloud. Listen and trust your ear. If it sounds staged or phony, fix it.

Avoid—at all cost – using adverbs or adjectives in your tags: “Leave me alone,” she said angrily. If you need to impart more emotion than the dialogue suggests, include an action: Marla slammed her coffee cup on the kitchen table. “Leave me alone.”

Question 5

Mood/Atmosphere

Answer 5

need to define

Question 6

Historical and cultural relevancy

Answer 6

need to define