Creative Writing Notes (UNO-RECOLETOS)

NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) Lesson 1 Second Grading...

NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) Lesson 1 Second Grading READING AND WRITING FICTION: INTRODUCTION TO FICTION AND FICTION GENRES Objectives: define fiction; identify different genres of fiction; cull understanding in creating characters and characterization in fiction story and; create a powerful character in starting-up a fiction story. What is FICTION? “make believe” or “not true” stories “Fiction describes something imaginary or invented” The word is from the Latin fictionem, “the act of making, fashioning, or molding” Ficcion- Old French terms that refers to something invented or fabricated The term is generally used regarding creative works of prose created in the writer's imagination. FICTION Fiction describes something imaginary or invented; the term is generally used regarding creative works written in prose or ordinary language which does not follow a meter, as in poetry. Fiction, literature created from the imagination, not presented as fact, though it may be based on a true story or situation. Fiction writing is writing that is created in the author's imagination. The author of a fictional work invents the characters, plotline, dialogue, and sometimes the story's setting TYPES OF FICTION Fable- brief story that explicitly states a moral lesson and animals or natural forces are given human traits Parable- brief narrative that implicitly states a moral lesson with humans as main characters; it is more serious and suggestive than fable Folktale- short narrative handed down from the past with strange and wonderful events or deeds of a hero Novel- a piece of long narrative in literary prose and published in book form. Short story- brief fictional prose narrative that is shorter than a novel and that usually deals with only a few characters Flash fiction -refers to super short fiction of 1,000 words or less, but still provides a compelling story with a plot Drabble -a story of exactly 100 words (not including the title). FUNCTIONS OF FICTION The function of fiction is to entertain, educate, and inspire the readers and the audience. It provides people an insight into the life of the characters, their manners, and events related to them. It also is used to point out the flaws and drawbacks of a society, race, and nation in a manner that it does not touch the boundary of criticism. GENRE Genre is a style or category of art, music, or literature. As an author, genre controls what you write and how you write it. It describes the style and focus of the novel you write. Genres give you blueprints for different types of stories. FAMOUS GENRES OF FICTION 1. Romance- These stories are about a romantic relationship between two people. They are characterized by sensual tension, desire, and idealism. The author keeps the two apart for most of the novel, but they do eventually end up together. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) 2. Action Adventure- Any story that puts the protagonist in physical danger, characterized by thrilling near misses, and courageous and daring feats, belongs to this genre. It is fast paced, the tension mounting as the clock ticks. There is always a climax that offers the reader some relief. 3. Science Fiction- This genre incorporates any story set in the future, the past, or other dimensions. The story features scientific ideas and advanced technological concepts. 4. Fantasy- These stories deal with kingdoms as opposed to sci-fi, which deals with universes. Myths, otherworldly magic-based concepts, and ideas characterize these books. They frequently take cues from historical settings like The Dark Ages. 5. Suspense Thriller- This genre involves pursuit and escape. There are one or more ‘dark’ characters that the protagonist must escape from, fight against, or best in the story. The threats to the protagonist can be physical or psychological, or both. The setting is integral to the plot. 6. Young Adult- Young Adult (YA) books are written, published, and marketed to adolescents and young adults. These are generally coming-of-age stories, and often cross into the fantasy and science fiction genres. Features diverse protagonists facing changes and challenges. 7. Horror/ Paranormal/ Ghost- These are high-pitched scary stories involving pursuit and escape. The protagonist must overcome supernatural or demonic beings. Occult is a sub-genre that always uses satanic-type antagonists. 8. Mystery/ Thriller- The central issue is a question that must be answered, an identity revealed, a crime solved. This novel is characterized by clues leading to rising tension as the answer to the mystery is approached. 9. Police Procedurals- Police Procedurals are mysteries that involve a police officer or detective solving the crime. The emphasis rests heavily on technological or forensic aspects of police work, sorting and collecting evidence, as well as the legal aspects of criminology. 10. Historical- Historical fiction takes place against factual historical backdrops. Important historical figures are portrayed as fictional characters. 11. Family Saga- This genre is about on-going stories of two or more generations of a family. Plots revolve around things like businesses, acquisition, properties, adventures, and family curses. 12. Women’s Fiction- These plot lines are characterized by female central characters who face challenges, difficulties, and crises that have a direct relationship to gender. This is inclusive of woman’s conflict with man, though not limited to that. It can include conflict with things such as the economy, family, society, art, politics, and religion. 13. Magical Realism- An unexpected alteration of reality; core elements: Reality and supernatural events Magical events are part of ordinary life in this genre. The characters do not see them as abnormal or unusual. They are a natural part of the story. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) Lesson 2 Second Grading ELEMENTS OF FICTION I. Character In fiction, character refers to a textual representation of a human being (or occasionally another creature). The action in fiction depends on the characters' situations and how they respond to it. In fiction writing, character development is the process of building a unique, three-dimensional character with depth, personality, and clear motivations. Characterization In literature, authors need a way of describing characters in a way the reader will understand best. This can be through examples of what they say, how they act, how they look, or what they do. Similarly, this can be through examples of what they think or how they react to certain situations. The process of developing characters and creating images of the characters for the reader/audience is referred to as characterization. Physical Description: Character’s physical appearance (height, skin, hair, eye color, clothing) Action: Character’s attitude or behavior throughout the story. Inner Thoughts and Feelings: By what the character thinks and feels (personality) Speech/ Dialogue: What the character says and how the character says it. Types of Characterization Direct/ Explicit characterization- an author tells readers what a character is like. Indirect/ Implicit characterization- an author shows what a character is like by portraying his or her actions, speech, or thoughts Examples of Characterization: A. George was cunning and greedy. B. On the crowded subway, George slipped his hand into the man's coat pocket and withdrew the wallet, undetected. Three Basic Categories of Characters A. ANTAGONIST - Greek word, ANTI(against) and AGON (struggle) B. PROTAGONIST - Greek word, PROTOS (first) and AGON (struggle) C. SUPPORTING CHARACTERS 7 Character Roles in Stories A. Protagonist: The main character of the story is the protagonist. They should be carefully crafted with a logical backstory, personal motivation, and a character arc over the course of the story. Often the story will be told from their point of view. B. Antagonist: The villain of the story is the antagonist. Main goal: to block the protagonist. Anti-heroes are villainous people who function in a protagonist’s role C. Love interest: The love interest is the protagonist’s object of desire. D. Confidante: Someone whom the protagonist confides. Often the protagonist's goal flows through the confidant— although not every story needs one. E. Deuteragonists: These characters often overlap with confidants. A deuteragonist is close to the main character, but the story’s main plot does not directly correspond with their own character arc. F. Tertiary characters: Tertiary characters populate the world of the story but do not necessarily link to the main storyline. G. Foil: A foil character primarily exists to bring the protagonist’s qualities into sharper relief. This is because the foil is effectively the opposite of the protagonist. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) Keys in Characterization Character Arcs: These are moments of a character that he has to change for the better or worse. Overtime, the character changes significantly because of his experiences and events encountered. SLOW and EARNED changes/transformation Character Breaks: Opposite of Character Arcs because they are immediate, unearned, out of nowhere and temporary change of a character. Oftentimes, writers do this for a plot device or to joke around the character or reader. Character Names: Do not underestimate the POWER of NAMING. Avoid using Common Names like Ana, John, Jenny. Avoid using Weird Names that only Science Fiction Stories are using. These are the hard to spell names, double vowels, and hard to pronounce. Use Unusual Names instead like Ophelia, Lorelie, Bernard and the like. Vulnerabilities are anchored to the following sources of pain/hurt: FEAR IDENTITY LOVE SHAME Additional Aspects to Consider: PHYSICAL (Appearances) PSYCHOLOGICAL (State of Mind, temperaments,) SOCIOLOGICAL (All Statuses, Ethnicity, Religion) Example: Rapunzel Strengths: Smart, strong, brave, good artist, love animals, loves and respects her mother and adventure Weaknesses: a little naive, a little timid Vulnerability: love II. SETTING- Setting establish the atmosphere or mood of a story or a specific scene. 1. Place- Geographical location 2. Time- Historical period, time of the day, year, etc 3. Weather conditions 4. Social conditions- (Local Color -writing that focuses on the speech, dress, mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place) 5. Mood or atmosphere Types of Setting: Integral Setting- considered as an important element in the story; time and place are described in detail. It dictates the language, norms of society, culture, clothing, activities of the time. Nearly ten years had passed since the Dursleys had woken up to find their nephew on the front step, but Privet Drive had hardly changed at all. e sun rose on the same tidy front gardens and lit up the brass number four on the Dursleys’ front door; it crept into their living room, which was almost exactly the same as it had been on the night when Mr. Dursley had seen that fateful news report about the owls. The room held no sign at all that another boy lived in the house, too. Backdrop Setting- considered as moderately less important in the story. It creates a visual charm but is not significant to the whole plot. It is nonspecific and vague. Once upon a time in midwinter, when the snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven, a queen sat sewing at her window, which had a frame of black ebony wood. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) III. POINT OF VIEW Point of view is the standpoint and angle from which the story is told. 1. First Person- Story told by the protagonist or character who interacts closely with the protagonist or other characters. “I, me my, our, us, we, myself, ourselves”, 2. Second Person- Story is told by a narrator who addresses the reader or some other assumed “you”; speaker uses pronouns “you, your or yours.” 3. Third Person- Story is told by a narrator who sees all action. Frequent use of “he, she, them, they, him, her, his, her, and their”. Types of Third Person POV Third-Person Limited- the narrator reveals the thoughts and feelings of one character through explicit narration. Sometimes called third-person sympathetic. Third Person Omniscient- the narrator grants readers the most access to characters’ thoughts and feelings. The base word “omni” means all and “scient” means knowing, so it roughly means to all knowing. Point of View Examples: Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. Moby Dick by Herman Melville You have friends who actually care about you and speak the language of the inner self. You have avoided them of late. Your soul is as disheveled as your apartment, and until you can clean it up a little you don't want to invite anyone inside. Bright Lights, Big City by Jay Mclnerney IV. PLOT Aristotle’s PLOT STRUCTURE Middle Beginning End FREYTAG’S PYRAMID (Gustave Freytag) NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) PLOT- Plot is an element of fiction that writers use to structure what happens in a story. Plots must present an event, action, or turning point that creates conflict or raises a dramatic question, leading to subsequent events that are connected to each other as a means of “answering” the dramatic question and conflict. To have a story plot, you need: a character a problem that the character is facing. The character's battle with the problem provides a central thread for the story. And it gives readers a reason to keep reading. Readers want to find out if the character will succeed in solving the problem or not. SEVEN ANCHOR SCENES (Big moment in the story that escalates the central narrative conflict) 1. Inciting Incident- the start of the conflict kicks off the story 2. Engage with Conflict- acceptance and recognition of the conflict. The situation escalates. 3. Midpoint Reversal- It is the moment where the protagonist is looking for some answers just not to mind the conflict. (reactive to proactive) 4. No way out but through- the point of no return. The decision is final. A major setback for character 5. Dark moment- It is where the protagonist believes that he loses the battle... But decides to keep fighting 6. Climax- It is the moment where the skill, the courage, and the values and morals of the protagonist are tested. The conflict comes to an end. 7. Resolution- It shows the world has changed. The end state of your story. V. CONFLICT Literature would be a little boring without conflict. As painful as it is to read about our favorite characters going through hardships, these struggles are necessary to keep us engaged, entertained, and turning pages. Serves as a spine of your story Your story begins when the conflict begins Your story ends when the conflict ends Internal Conflict Happens when a character struggles with something within themselves. These two contradicting wants, needs or desires help to build a character. Man vs. Self In this type of conflict, a character finds him or herself battling between two competing desires or selves, typically one good and one evil. External Conflict A struggle that takes place between the main character and some outside force. Therefore, it is outside the body of the protagonist. Usually, it occurs when the protagonist struggles against the antagonist, a character that opposes the protagonist in the main body of the story. Man vs. Man Conflict that pits one person against another is about as classic as a story can get. This type of conflict is pretty much self- explanatory, with one person struggling for victory over another. Man vs. Fate/God(s) This type of conflict occurs when a character is trapped by an inevitable destiny; freedom and free will often seem impossible in these stories. Man vs. Nature In this type of conflict, humankind comes up against nature, battling for survival against its force. The hero may be forced to confront nature, or the protagonist may be seeking the conflict, trying to exert dominance over nature. Man vs. Society The person-against-society conflict follows the storyline of an individual or a group fighting (sometimes successfully, sometimes not-so-successfully) against injustices within their society. Man vs. the Unknown/Extraterrestrial NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) This is a common thread in science fiction and supernatural horror movies and books. In this type of conflict, the protagonist battles against an entity that isn't entirely known or comprehensible, whether it is extraterrestrial or metaphysical. Man vs. Technology/Machine This type of conflict focuses on a person or group of people fighting to overcome unemotional and unsympathetic machinery that believes it no longer requires humanity. END NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) Lesson 3 Second Grading Elements of fiction: IRONY AND LITERARY DEVICES Objectives: a) Explain the irony in the given situations; b) Explore fiction key elements, and literary devices; c) Apply the techniques of developing the different elements of fiction discussed as evidence of learning in drafting their original fiction IRONY Irony is a literary device where the chosen words are intentionally used to indicate a meaning other than the literal one. Irony is often mistaken for sarcasm. Sarcasm is actually a form of verbal irony, but sarcasm is intentionally insulting. TYPES OF IRONY 1. Verbal Irony- occurs when a speaker’s intention is the opposite of what he or she is saying. It occurs when a character uses a statement with underlying meanings that contrast with its literal meaning. 2. Situational irony occurs when the actual result of a situation is totally different from what you’d expect the result to be. Situational irony allows writers to show the characters' intentions versus the outcomes, appearance versus reality. This experience often leads the reader to a better understanding of the work’s central theme or purpose. 3. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows a key piece of information that a character in a play, movie or novel does not. When the audience knows more than the character, it creates tension and suspense. LITERARY DEVICES Literary Devices refers to the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her messages in a simple manner to the readers. When employed properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate, interpret and analyze a literary work. 1. Foreshadowing- A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. Foreshadowing often appears at the beginning of a story, or a chapter, and helps the reader develop expectations about the coming events in a story. Foreshadowing in fiction creates an atmosphere of suspense in a story, so that the readers are interested to know more There are various ways to create foreshadowing. Character’s dialogues Event or action as hint about the future Title of the story or chapter title as clue/ suggestions A writer may use characters’ dialogues to hint at what may occur in the future. In addition, any event or action in the story may throw a hint to the readers about future events or actions. Even a title of a work or a chapter title can act as a clue that suggests what is going to happen. 2. Flashback- Flashback is a section of the story that is interrupted to tell about an earlier event. The technique may be used to provide the reader with background information, to create contrast, or build up tension. It focuses more on why things happen, rather than on what happens. 3. Motifs are images, ideas, sounds or words that help to explain the central idea of a literary work or its theme. It recurs throughout the novel and helps develop the theme of the narrative. Symbols, on the other hand, are images, ideas, sounds or words that represent something to help understand an idea, but it may appear only once or twice in a story. 4. In Medias Res means narrating a story from the middle after supposing that the audiences are aware of past events. In medias res demands beginning a narrative in the very middle of its action from some vital point when most of the action has occurred. The author then freely moves backward and forward at his leisure, connecting the dots of the story. 5. In Extrema Res The plot starts at the end of the story. Like in medias res, it contains a lot of flashbacks. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) THE DIALOGUE It also guides the readers to see if the characteristics the text says about the characters reflect on the way they talk. A dialogue narrates through conversations between characters in the story. It helps the characters involved in the conversation to evolve. END NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) Lesson 4 Second Grading Elements of Drama: One-Act Play, Aristotle’s 6 Elements Drama A drama or play is a story written in dialogue form to be acted out by actors before a live audience as if it were real life. Dramas can be performed on stage, on film, or the radio. Dramas are typically called plays, and their creators are known as “playwrights” or “dramatists.” Origin of Drama The word drama comes from the Greek verb “dran” which means ‘to act’, ‘To Do’ or ‘to perform’. In literature, a drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialogue (either prose or poetry). Drama is literature written for performance. The two iconic masks of drama—the laughing face and the crying face—are the symbols of two of the ancient Greek Muses: Thalia, the Muse of comedy and Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy. Stage Directions: Instructions in a play for technical aspects of the production, such as lighting, sound, costume, scenery or props and, most importantly, the movement of actors onstage. One-Act Play Similar to short story in its limitations. There is complete drama within one act. It is brief, condensed and single in effect. One situation or episode is presented, permitting no minor plots or side action that may distract attention for the single purpose and effect being developed. Characters are few in number, quickly introduced and very limited in character development. Dialogue and plot must carry the action forward smoothly and quickly. Tragedy An imitation of an action that is serious, complete in itself, and of certain magnitude - Aristotle in Poetics The oldest type of dramatic literature It deals with a serious situation in a serious way. In a tragedy, the protagonist dies or is defeated at the end of the play. The character is confronted with a difficult moral choice and usually ends in his or her death. Comedy NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) A humorous entertaining performance with a happy ending. Comic heroes are usually ordinary people. Satiric Comedy, satire exposes human folly, criticizes human conduct, and aims to correct it. Romantic comedy portrays characters gently, even generously. The humor of romantic comedy is more sympathetic than corrective, and it intends to entertain than instruct, to delight than ridicule. Melodrama Often a play is a mixture of both comedy and tragedy. It is an exaggerated, fast-moving play in which action is more important than characterization. In the melodrama, there is a clear-cut distinction between good and evil. In the end, we see the “good guys” win and the “bad guys” punished. Drama Plot SIX ELEMENTS OF DRAMA ACCORDING TO ARISTOTLE The dramatic structure of a play dates back to 335 B.C., when Aristotle described the six basic parts, or elements, of a play. Playwriting has changed through the years, but Aristotle’s basic components of plot, character, thought/ theme, dialogue, song/music, and spectacle still exist. 1. Plot: Plot: the storyline, and what happens during the drama. Aristotle tells us that the plot is the arrangement of the incidents that take place in a play. A plot has three basic parts: the beginning, middle, and end. The beginning introduces the audience to who, what, where, when, and why through revealing information called exposition. The middle is composed of a series of complications or conflicts, which result in a climax or turning point. In the final part of the plot, the conflict is resolved and the story ends. Every element of the plot—each scene, each line—exists in service of answering that question. There are myriad plot devices that can bolster the main story; these are considered subplots. Exposition (the setup) Inciting Incident (start of conflict) Conflict and Complications Crisis (Climax) Resolution Catharsis (“purification” or “cleansing”)- -The release of emotions such as pity, sadness, and fear through witnessing dramatic art -Literature cleansing the emotions and/or mind. -Allows the reader to experience intense emotions by living through actors on stage in an indirect way. 7 Types of Plot Archetypes The nature of the dramatic question informs the plot and what kind of story it will be. Are the characters threatened by something external or internal? What genre will the story be? NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) Tragedy. In a tragedy, your main character should undergo a major change of fortune — almost always from good to bad, happy to sad. Tragic characters have to suffer. Comedy. In comedy, even though your characters have defects, their defects should never wind up being painful or destructive. Comic characters make it through unscathed. Hero’s Journey. In a “hero’s journey,” the hero of a story must undergo two things: recognition and reversal of a situation. Something has to happen from the outside that inspires the hero in a way that he/she didn’t realize before. Then he has to undertake a quest to solve the situation. Rags to Riches. Remember Cinderella? The classic fairy tale follows a simple rags-to-riches plot: the protagonist is downtrodden, impoverished, or otherwise struggling, and through a series of events--either magical, like in the case of Harry Potter, or more realistic, like in Great Expectations--achieves success. This type of plot often features a happy ending. Rebirth. The rebirth style of plot follows a character’s transformation from bad to good. The character will frequently have a tragic past that informs their current negative view of life, however, a series of events (usually set in motion by the protagonist or a narrator) will help them see the light. See: Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, or the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Overcoming the Monster. Otherwise known as the good versus evil plot, this type of story features a protagonist (good) fighting an antagonist (evil). The protagonist can be a singular character or a group united in their mission. The antagonist is generally a big, bad evil (like Darth Vader in Star Wars) who continuously throws obstacles in the protagonist’s way—until the final battle. Voyage and Return. This plot is a simple point A to point B and back to point A plot. The protagonist sets off on a journey, only to return to his or her starting point having gained wisdom and experience (and sometimes treasure too). Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is a beloved contemporary illustration of this plot. 2. Theme: the overall meaning of the drama; overall meaning, or basic idea, that they wish to get across through the play. The thought or theme ties the characters and events together and gives the play purpose. The theme provides a universal way to engage with the drama’s specific subject matter. For the audience, the theme provides a universal way to engage with the drama’s specific subject matter. Strong themes are also what make a drama stick with you long after the initial viewing. For drama makers, the theme is the main idea and a guide during the creative process. When choosing between different possible plot developments as you write, you can ask yourself, “Which option relates more to my theme?” 3. Characters: the players who move the plot forward. For thousands of years, narrative artforms have featured archetypes—characters built on a set of traits that are specific and identifiable. The heroes and villains of today’s books and films may be based on the same heroic and villainous archetypes found in fairy tales, the novels of Charles Dickens, the poetry of John Milton, and the theater of the ancient Greeks. An archetype is an emotion, character type, or event that is notably recurrent across the human experience. In the arts, an archetype creates an immediate sense of familiarity, allowing an audience member to relate to an event or character without having to necessarily ponder why they relate. Thanks to our instincts and life experiences, we’re able to recognize archetypes without any need for explanation. 12 Archetypal Characters to Use in Your Writing 1. The Lover The romantic lead who’s guided by the heart. Strengths: humanism, passion, conviction Weaknesses: naivete, irrationality Lover Archetype Examples: Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Noah Calhoun (The Notebook), Scarlett O’Hara (Gone With the Wind), Belle (Beauty and the Beast) 2. The Hero NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) The protagonist who rises to meet a challenge and saves the day. Strengths: courage, perseverance, honor Weaknesses: overconfidence, hubris (pride) Hero Archetype Examples: Achilles (The Iliad), Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman), Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) 3. The Magician A powerful figure who has harnessed the ways of the universe to achieve key goals. Strengths: omniscience, omnipotence, discipline Weaknesses: corruptibility, arrogance Magician Archetype Examples: Prospero (The Tempest), Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings), Morpheus (The Matrix), Darth Vader (Star Wars) 4. The Outlaw The rebel who won’t abide by society’s demands. Strengths: independent thinking, virtue, owes no favors Weaknesses: self-involved, potentially criminal Outlaw Archetype Examples: Han Solo (Star Wars), Dean Moriarty (On the Road), Humbert Humbert (Lolita), Batman (The Dark Knight) 5. The Explorer A character naturally driven to push the boundaries of the status quo and explore the unknown. Strengths: curious, driven, motivated by self-improvement Weaknesses: restless, unreliable, never satisfied Explorer Archetype Examples: Odysseus (The Odyssey), Sal Paradise (On the Road), Huckleberry Finn (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes) 6. The Sage A wise figure with knowledge for those who inquire. The mentor is often based on this archetype. Strengths: wisdom, experience, insight Weaknesses: cautious, hesitant to actually join the action Famous sages: Athena (The Odyssey), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars), Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs), The Oracle (The Matrix) 7. The Innocent A morally pure character, often a child, whose only intentions are good. Strengths: morality, kindness, sincerity Weaknesses: vulnerable, naive, rarely skilled Innocent Archetype Examples: Tiny Tim (A Christmas Carol), Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men), Cio-Cio-san (Madame Butterfly), Buddy the Elf (Elf) 8. The Creator A motivated visionary who creates art or structures during the narrative. Strengths: creativity, willpower, conviction Weaknesses: self-involvement, single-mindedness, lack of practical skills Creator Archetype Examples: Zeus (The Iliad), Dr. Emmett Brown (Back to the Future), Dr. Moreau (The Island of Dr. Moreau), Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Frankenstein) 9. The Ruler A character with legal or emotional power over others. Strengths: omnipotence, status, resources Weaknesses: aloofness, disliked by others, out of touch Ruler Archetype Examples: Creon (Oedipus Rex), King Lear (King Lear), Aunt Sally (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), Tony Soprano (The Sopranos) 10. The Caregiver A character who continually supports others and makes sacrifices on their behalf. Strengths: honorable, selfless, loyal NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS. UNO-RECOLETOS Grades 11 & 12 AY 2024-2025 CREATIVE WRITING (CREWRI080) Weaknesses: lacking personal ambition or leadership Caregiver Archetype Examples: Dolly Oblonsky (Anna Karenina), Calpurnia (To Kill a Mockingbird), Samwell Tarly (The Game of Thrones series), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins) 11. The Everyman A relatable character who feels recognizable from daily life. Strengths: grounded, salt-of-the-earth, relatable Weaknesses: lacking special powers, often unprepared for what’s to come Everyman Archetype Examples: Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Leopold Bloom (Ulysses), Leslie Knope (Parks & Recreation), Winston Smith (1984) 12. The Jester A funny character or trickster who provides comic relief, but may also speak important truths. Strengths: funny, disarming, insightful Weaknesses: can be obnoxious and superficial Jester Archetype Examples: Sir John Falstaff (Henry V), King Lear’s Fool (King Lear), Frank and Estelle Costanza (Seinfeld), R2D2 and C-3PO (Star Wars) 4. Dialogue: the words the characters speak in the drama. The playwright tells the story of the play through words, or language. Careful selection of language gives the audience a better understanding of the type of play, the characters, and the plot. The lines of the play and even the stage directions are all considered the language of a play. 5. Song: traditionally, the rhythm of the actors’ voices as they deliver their lines. Song also called music: traditionally, the rhythm of the actors’ voices as they deliver their lines. (Instruments, Singing, Use of language) 6. Spectacle: the visual elements and technical elements of the film, including body language, facial expressions, sound effects, and special effects. Lighting, scenery, sounds, costumes, combat and special effects IMPORTANT: READ THE LITERARY, TECHNICAL AND PERFORMANCE ELEMENTS IN YOUR CREATIVE WRITING BOOKS PAGES 130- 133. END NO PART OF THIS FILE IS ALLOWED TO BE POSTED ONLINE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF UNO-RECOLETOS.