Theme: the soul of stories

Plot and characters make a story moving forward. Theme gives it purpose. In this training, participants will learn to identify their themes, weave them subtly into narrative, and ensure they resonate with the audience long after the final page.

Informations

Target Audience

Profile

  • assignment_indAuthors
  • assignment_indContent writers
  • assignment_indNarrative designers

Requirements

  • mindfulnessNo formal prerequisites
  • emoji_objectsParticipants are encouraged to bring a current writing project or story idea to explore its underlying themes

Learnt Skills

  • flareUnderstanding the role of theme in storytelling
  • flareIdentifying the controlling idea of a narrative
  • flareConnecting arcs and plot to a unifying theme
  • flareExploring how themes resonate with cultural, social, or personal contexts

Programme

Defining the theme

Understand what theme really is and how it shapes the meaning of a story.

  • bookEndings (and what they reveal about ourselves)
  • bookControlling idea

Weaving the theme

Learn how to embed the theme through your story and how to make it universal.

  • bookSymbolic images
  • bookBroad-spectrum audience (and how to make everyone care)

This course is originally intended to last 1 day (7 hours), but its duration and content can be adjusted to your needs.