How to Outline Your Screenplay With What-If Questions

Outlining your screenplay is an essential step in the writing process. It helps you to develop a solid plot, ensure that your story flows smoothly, and identify any potential problems early on.

How to Outline Your Book with "What if..." Questions

by Kylie Day

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	986 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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One of the best ways to outline your screenplay is to use what-if questions. What-if questions are simply questions that you ask yourself about your story. They can help you to explore different possibilities, develop new ideas, and identify potential plot holes.

To start outlining your screenplay with what-if questions, simply ask yourself the following question:

What if [event] happened?

For example, you might ask yourself the following question:

What if the protagonist lost their job?

Once you have asked yourself a what-if question, take some time to think about the possible consequences of the event. What would happen if the protagonist lost their job? How would they react? What would they do next?

As you think about the possible consequences of the event, write down any ideas that come to mind. Don't worry about whether or not the ideas are good or bad; just write them down. Once you have a list of ideas, you can start to put them together into a logical outline.

Here is an example of an outline that was created using what-if questions:

Act 1

* The protagonist loses their job. * The protagonist is devastated by the loss of their job. * The protagonist tries to find a new job, but they are unsuccessful. * The protagonist starts to lose hope.

Act 2

* The protagonist meets a new person who helps them to regain their confidence. * The protagonist starts to believe in themselves again. * The protagonist finds a new job. * The protagonist is happy and successful in their new job.

This is just a simple example, but it shows how what-if questions can be used to create a compelling outline for your screenplay.

Here are some additional tips for using what-if questions to outline your screenplay:

* Ask yourself what-if questions about every major event in your story. * Don't be afraid to ask yourself multiple what-if questions about the same event. * Write down all of the ideas that come to mind, even if they seem silly or unrealistic. * Once you have a list of ideas, start to put them together into a logical outline. * Don't be afraid to change your outline as you write your screenplay.

Outlining your screenplay with what-if questions is a powerful tool that can help you to develop a solid plot and ensure that your story flows smoothly. By following the tips in this article, you can create a compelling outline for your screenplay that will help you to write a successful film.

How to Outline Your Book with "What if..." Questions

by Kylie Day

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	986 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE