Communication Archives

How to Write a Story Outline: Advice From Robert McKee

Why should a story outline take more time than the other steps in the writing process? Should you work forward or backward? In his book Story, Robert McKee details what he believes to be the ideal writing process: Begin with an outline, flesh it out into a treatment, then polish it into a final script. McKee frames this as a process for screenwriters, but you could apply it to stories in any medium. Let’s look at McKee’s advice for how to write a story outline.

How to Write a Scene in a Script: Switch Between Points of View

When you’re writing a script, how do you come up with compelling scenes? Is there a formula to follow? In Story, Robert McKee breaks down how stories function and uses this theory to explain how you can write a gripping story—filled with compelling scenes. The book is intended for screenwriters, but its principles apply to any kind of storytelling. Continue reading to learn how to write a scene in a script, and discover why this method is so impactful.

How to Write a Treatment: Blending Text and Subtext

What’s the purpose of a treatment? What’s the best way to write one? McKee details what he believes to be the ideal writing process: Begin with an outline, flesh it out into a treatment, then polish it into a final script. McKee frames this as a process for screenwriters, but you could apply it to stories in any medium. Keep reading to explore the second step in McKee’s process and learn his advice for how to write a treatment.

How Do You Write a Story? Robert McKee’s 3-Step Process

How do you write a story? What’s the first step? At what point should you get feedback? In his book Story, Robert McKee details what he believes to be the ideal writing process: Begin with an outline, flesh it out into a treatment, and then polish it into a final script. McKee frames this as a process for screenwriters, but you could apply it to stories in any medium. Continue reading to learn McKee’s three-step story-writing process.

How to Construct an Argument: Inductive Reasoning in 3 Steps

What’s inductive reasoning? How can it help you understand an issue and build a convincing argument? Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving explains how to apply critical thinking to solve problems more effectively. A major step in the process is forming an argument from the information you’ve gathered in order to move toward a solution—and even persuade others to adopt your way of thinking. Here’s the authors’ advice on how to construct an argument that helps everyone clearly grasp the problem and embrace a path forward.

How to Praise Your Child With Empowering Words

Wondering how to praise your child using words? What do experts recommend when it comes to delivering effective praise to children? Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish believe the key to success is teaching kids a communication style that helps them be empathetic and responsible throughout their lives. In their bestselling book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, they explain how to praise your child using descriptive, empowering words. Read on to learn how to praise your child with words, according to Faber and Mazlish’s advice.

How to Make a Story Interesting: Escalate the Hero’s Risk

What does your protagonist care about most? What do they have to lose? If you want to make your story more engaging, Robert McKee recommends that you continue to escalate the risk that your protagonist faces throughout the story. Make it clear what they care about, and put them in increasing peril. Continue reading to understand McKee’s advice for how to make a story interesting.

Five Elements of a Story That Provide & Intensify Meaning

What quality is a must for your protagonist? What’s “subversion of expectation”? How can you create a story that involves high stakes? Screenwriter and storytelling expert Robert McKee says that humans are obsessed with stories because they fill a core human need: We need to find meaning—truth about the world that influences how we live our lives. The best stories are rich in meaning. Read more to learn the five elements of a story that provide and intensify meaning.

6 Ways to Promote Autonomy in Early Childhood

Want to know some techniques for promoting autonomy in early childhood? Why is autonomy important for children? Educators Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish claim that fostering autonomy in early childhood is important for children to feel empowered and to create a stronger parent-child relationship. In How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, they offer six techniques to promote early childhood autonomy. Read on to learn Faber and Mazlish’s six techniques for encouraging autonomy in early childhood.

John Gottman’s 4 Steps to Escape a “Gridlock” in a Marriage

What exactly is “gridlock” in the context of a marriage? What are the signs that your relationship has gotten stuck in a gridlock? According to John Gottman, gridlock is the struggle to resolve an ongoing marital problem. In his book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (along with co-author Nan Silver), Gottman explains that you can learn to live with an ongoing problem. But if you don’t, the problem will build up and grow into a gridlock. Here’s how to avoid getting into a gridlock and how to get out of it if you’re stuck.