User:Quamalamalam/sandbox

Central Theme
The central theme is the basis of the story, whether it be a main idea, a key question, a focal point, or a moral. It forms the core of any story and is usually the underlying theme that all characters and events in the story represent either an aspect of or comparison to.

Premise
The time, place, and gist of the story, usually summarized in one or two sentences. The premise and subsequent parts of the story should portray the central theme in some way.

Goal and Motivation
The goal is what the main character acts towards in the story, and their motivation is the cause of that goal. (The goal and motivation are usually mentioned in the premise, but this is the step where such details are established in full.)

Inciting Incident
Not the first event in the story chronologically, but rather the event that impels the protagonist to act toward their goal. Can be regarded as the beginning of a dramatic arc.

Conflict and Constraint
Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces, of which the dynamics are chronicled to form a through line. Constraint is a combination of factors, such as limited time or dwindling options, that impels the main character to take action against the antagonistic force and would otherwise end the plot by absolutely and irrevocably preventing the main character from attaining their ultimate goal or resolving the central conflict. Gradually tightening the constraint can ramp up the tension and lead to rising action and higher stakes. Constraint is related to motivation, and both are aspects of tension. Together conflict and constraint form complication, which can be regarded as the midpoint of a dramatic arc.

Conflict Resolution
This is the denouement of a through line, where conflict is settled and constraint is loosened. This can be regarded as the endpoint of a dramatic arc.