The Tools (Not Rules) of Story Structure: The Craft of Storytelling with Mark Hennigan

Course Summary

Whether it’s in film, theatre, a novel, or a video game, storytelling is a craft. And like any craft, there are universal principles. These are tools we can use to help ourselves as writers, editors, or readers. In this four part course, participants will learn what makes stories really work, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what tools to use when we get stuck.

Participants should bring a story they are writing or editing, or an idea they are ready to outline to work on throughout in a supportive atmosphere.

Note: examples will be mostly film for shorthand purposes.

Course Outline

Session 1: Why Structure Is Story
Unity of Action; 3 Act and 5 Act structure; Character Want vs Need
(Prime Sources: John Yorke; Aristotle; Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna)

Session 2: The Plot and the Story
The Plot/Story Double-Helix; The 8 Story Stages; Beginnings and Endings
(Prime Sources: Mary Kate O’Flanagan; Frank Daniel; Craig Mazin; Michael Arndt)

Session 3: Why Some Stories Sag (and what to do about it)
The Two Kinds of Protagonists; Character arcs; and The Long 2nd Act
(Prime Sources: John Yorke; Robert McKee; Craig Mazin, Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna)

Session 4: Making Good Stories Great
Theme in action, Thematic Resonance, Symbolism, and Unity
(Prime Sources: Robert McKee; Hugh Travers; Michael Arndt)

Every week, participants will have a small amount of analysis or writing homework (1-2 hours) to develop their practice / story.

Course Outcomes

You will learn:

•  how to define what any story is really “about”
• tools to identify exactly why a story isn’t working
• why that beginning feels so nondescript
• why that long middle part feels so long and shapeless
• why that ending just doesn’t feel satisfying
• most importantly, the tools that will help you to act on this understanding.

Mark Hennigan is a writer, story consultant, script editor, and teacher. As a story consultant, he’s worked with producers, directors, and writers of film, TV, video games, and novels in Ireland and the UK. He’s read for competitions run by Ardán, RTÉ, and Fís Eireann; and has been a regular trusted reader for The Abbey Theatre. He’s taught for The National Film School, Griffith College, and Publishing Ireland. He is also the creator of the podcast Mark Overanalyses Film.

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email info@irishwriterscentre.ie.