Developing story is all about finding the best ways to communicate a story’s core theme to readers. It can happen during or after the development process, and it can be facilitated by planting recurring motifs and symbolism throughout the screenplay. This is one of the most effective ways to make a story feel bigger than just its plot points.
Exposition: Establish the character and setting with a clear sense of who your protagonist is, what they want, and how they intend to get it. This can be accomplished by creating a “character map,” in which students can illustrate each of their characters and how they relate to one another.
Rising action: Present obstacles and challenges for your protagonist to overcome as they progress through the story, increasing tension and building anticipation. This can be done by introducing subplots and deepening character relationships, and it will help drive the story to its climax.
Climax: The ultimate climax is the pinnacle of the story, where all of the ‘yes, but’ and ‘no, and’ moments that you built up in the rising action culminate in an external and dramatic crisis. This is the moment where you must determine your hero’s fate and tie up any loose ends.
While working through the character mapping exercise, encourage students to think about how each of their secondary characters serve a purpose and add value to the story. Also, ask them to consider which characters could be merged together to create more depth and focus.
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