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Narrative-A Short Story: Scenes and Dialogue Lubna Imran

A scene is a capsule where compelling characters undertake significant actions in a vivid and memorable way. Key ingredients of a scene include complex characters undergoing change, a specific point of view, meaningful dialogue, new plot information, conflict, and a rich physical setting. Scenes typically begin by establishing where the characters are in the plot and what is most important to reveal. Scene middles introduce complications that reveal characters and advance the plot. Scene endings can reveal something about a character through dialogue, end on a cliffhanger, or provide a narrative conclusion. Effective dialogue moves the story forward through meaningful exchanges between characters.

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258 views16 pages

Narrative-A Short Story: Scenes and Dialogue Lubna Imran

A scene is a capsule where compelling characters undertake significant actions in a vivid and memorable way. Key ingredients of a scene include complex characters undergoing change, a specific point of view, meaningful dialogue, new plot information, conflict, and a rich physical setting. Scenes typically begin by establishing where the characters are in the plot and what is most important to reveal. Scene middles introduce complications that reveal characters and advance the plot. Scene endings can reveal something about a character through dialogue, end on a cliffhanger, or provide a narrative conclusion. Effective dialogue moves the story forward through meaningful exchanges between characters.

Uploaded by

Lubna Imran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Narrative-A Short

Story

Scenes and Dialogue

Lubna Imran
What is a scene?

•A capsule in which compelling characters undertake


significant actions in a vivid and memorable way that
allows the events to feel as if they are happening in real
time.
Scene ingredients

 Complex characters who undergo change;
 A specific point of view;
 Significant action that unfolds in real time;
 Meaningful dialogue where appropriate;
 New plot information that advances the story
and
develops characters;
 Conflict and drama that tests and reveals
your characters;
 Rich physical setting.
Scene structure

™
BEGINNING

™Middle

™ENDING
Scene beginning

 Where are my characters in the plot? Where


will you leave them and what are they doing
now?

 What is the most important piece of information


that needs to be revealed in this scene?
Ways to start a scene
• Character Launch

• Action Launch

• Narrative Launch
Character Launch

 The majority of your scenes should involve your
main character;

 Make sure your readers know who your characters


are;

 Bring your main character into the scene as soon as


possible.
Character Launch
• What are the most immediate desires of your
character?(especially the main character)
• Who will help your characters achieve their
goals? (especially the main character)

• Who will hinder them? (especially the main


character)
Action Launch

 Get straight to the action

 Hook the reader with big or surprising actions

 Be sure that the action is true to your character


 Act first, think later
Narrative Launch

 Use specific visual details

 Allow scenery to set the tone of the scene

 Use scenery to reflect a character’s feelings

 Show the impact of the setting on the


character
Scene Middles

 Introduce complications that reveal the
characters and advance the plot;

 Complications can take the following forms:


 (1) withholding information, objects, or
emotions;
 (2) putting your main character in danger;
 (3) revealing important information.
Scene Endings

 Character summary that reveals something about
the character;
 Dialogue that reveals something;
 Cliffhanger ending;
 Setting description;
 Philosophical reflection;
 Narrative conclusion.
Do n
ot ad
Dial d t oo
o gu e m a n
s o t herw y
“Hi,” she said. Narr i se y
“Hello,” he said. ative o
w i
“Did you have a good day?” she said. ll t
u r
P u r n in to
“I sure did,” he said. laysc
“Good,” she said. r ip t

Dialogue

•“You’re red,” Jeanine said.
•“A snake. I bought a snake,” I said.
•“You bought a snake?” she said. “You bought a
snake.” “From Andy…,” I said.
•“Oh my!” Jeanine said. “It’s in the box! You brought a
•snake in here!”
•“No, no,” I said.
•“You can’t do this,” she said. “Not in my house.”
Narrative/Playscript

“You’re red,” Jeanine said quietly.
“A snake. I bought a snake,” I said hesitatingly.
“You bought a snake?” she said dryly. “You bought a
snake.”
“From Andy…,” I said tersely.
“Oh my!” Jeanine said loudly. “It’s in the box! You
brought a snake in here!”
“No, no,” I said gently.
“You can’t do this,” she said unhappily. “Not in
my
house.”
Playscript/Narrative

“You’re red,” Jeanine said when I walked in the apartment, my
arms slung around the huge box marked FRAGILE: EGGS.
“A snake,” I said. “I bought a snake.” The huge box shifted in my
arms.
“You bought a snake?” She sneered a bit, then turned a page in her
magazine. “You bought a snake.” Now she was saying it just to
hear herself.
“From Andy….” The bottom of the box was wet. My new snake.
“Oh my! It’s in the box! You brought a snake in here!” She was
screaming now, rising from the couch, arming herself by rolling
the magazine.
I turned from her. “No, no.”

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