Scene (fiction)

In fiction, a scene is a unit of drama. A sequel is what follows, an aftermath. Together, scene and sequel provide the building blocks of plot for short stories, novels, and other forms of fiction.

Characteristics of a scene

Scene has been characterized from several different perspectives. The concept of a scene in fiction comes from theater, where it describes the action that takes place in a single setting ref|fn6. Raymond Obstfeld, in "Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes", describes scene as having a structure similar to a complete novel, with a beginning, a middle, and an ending ref|fn10.

Jack M. Bickham, in "Scene & Structure, How to Construct Fiction with Scene-by-scene Flow, Logic and Readability", describes a scene as a segment of story action, written momemt-by-moment, without summary, presented onstage in the story "now." He also portrays a scene as having a fundamental pattern:
*Statement of a "goal"
*Introduction and development of "conflict"
*Failure of the character to reach his goal, a tactical "disaster" ref|fn11

The nature and characteristics of scene are a matter of ongoing discussion. [http://helium.com/tm/197378/scene-sequel-fictionscene-sequel]

Writing of a scene

Sometimes a writer may summarize events, rather than using a scene. This is exposition ref|fn1. He explains events to quickly get the reader to the next scene. At other times a writer will dramatize an event using the basic elements of fiction: dialogue, description, conflict, and suspense, among others. These scenes, told in narrative form, slow events to "real time" ref|fn2 and show the reader what the characters are actually doing and saying. Using narrative scenes, a writer attempts to make the reader forget they are reading; the writer wants the reader to live the playhi [section ended here and needs to be completed. 2008-06-05 fleisher]

Purpose of a scene

The purpose of a scene helps achieve coherence in a short story or novel. The fiction writer should have a goal to accomplish with each scene. A scene lets the reader know that the setting has changed too. Common purposes of a scene include:

* Advance story – The scene must move the story forward. This could mean introducing a problem or making a problem worse for the characters.
* Show conflict – The conflict could be between two characters, a character and nature, a character and time, and so on.
* Introduce character – The reader needs to meet each character at some point. A careful writer does not introduce too many characters in one scene. This could confuse the reader.
* Develop character – Along with introducing a character, a writer can use a scene to show the character’s good and bad points.
* Create suspense – Suspense keeps the reader’s interest going, perhaps more than any other element of fiction
* Give information – The writer can weave information into a scene so the reader knows the needed background of the story.
* Create atmosphere – Using conventions such as setting, weather, and time, the writer can create a certain mood in a scene.
* Develop theme – A piece of fiction should have a theme. Each scene should bring out the theme to the reader.

Scenes that are memorable, the ones the reader remembers, will attempt to achieve as many of the previously mentioned purposes as possible. If the scene has no purpose -- or even has a purpose, but not a sufficient one to justify the space it takes up -- the writer should cut that scene out of the story.

Viewpoint of a scene

A viewpoint exists for every scene. Each scene is observed through the thoughts and emotions of one of the characters. That character is the point of view (POV) character. As he or she speaks and interacts with other characters, the POV character reveals the story through their perceptions. A short story usually has only one point of view character; the novel, however, may have several POV characters. A novel may contain scenes in which one character serves as the POV character throughout most of the scenes. Other characters would then serve as POV characters in the remaining scenes ref|fn3.

Some writers struggle with using either first person or third person when creating a story. To find a solution, a writer may rewrite a scene in each. Each person has its advantages and disadvantages. The draft which the writer feels would be more enticing to the reader should answer the question.

Length and setting of a scene

Length of a scene may trouble a writer. How long should a scene be? Some scenes may only be a few pages or even a few paragraphs; other scenes may be dozens of pages long. The writer should consider what is being focused upon in a scene to determine length. Scenes that focus on description or exposition should be shorter. Scenes that focus on building suspense or expressing emotion should be longer ref|fn4. No right solution exists to answer the question of scene length. The writer should use his instincts.

Another question that may arise for a writer is "How many settings should be included in a scene?" Some writers argue that an ideal scene should contain only one setting ref|fn5. Since fiction writing is subjective, a scene may require several settings. The writer should keep in mind that a setting could be portable, such as inside a car, on an escalator or on an airliner ref|fn6. Just as with the length of a scene, the writer again needs to use his instincts when determining how many settings to include in a scene.

Beginning of a scene

Beginning a scene can enhance or detract from a writer's style. To capture the reader’s interest, which is the ultimate goal of creating fiction, a writer can begin a scene "in medias res" ref|fn7. This means "in the middle of things". Starting the scene in the middle of some dialogue, such as an argument, or action, such as someone pointing a weapon at someone else, would possibly hook the reader. If done well, description of a character or a setting can begin a scene; however, the writer risks boring the reader if description is provided in large chunks. A solution would be to insert description among the dialogue and action. Many ways exist for a writer to begin a scene, but he should remember this goal: grab the reader’s attention as soon as possible.

Ending of a scene

Ending a scene properly can make the reader want more. When a point of view character has failed to reach a goal, the end of the scene is usually about to fall upon the reader. Sometimes a situation gets worse for the character; sometimes the character must consider their next course of action. The end result should be that the reader wants to see what happens next. The writer can facilitate this by showing the character's upcoming plans to achieve the goal ref|fn8.

Miscellaneous

"Scene" comes from a theater term that describes action taking place in a single setting ref|fn9.

References

External links

* Scene & Sequel: The Ebb and Flow of Fiction, [http://helium.com/tm/197378/scene-sequel-fictionscene-sequel]
* Scenes and half-scenes: [http://teenwriting.about.com/library/weekly/aa111102g.htm Writing Fiction: A Beginner’s Guide]
* Dialog-Scene: [http://www.smalladdictions.com/Skateboard/articles/NFW-031.htm Writing a Scene]

ee also

*Plot
*Fiction

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

Scene — NOTOC Scene may refer to: Music * Scene (youth subculture), related to emo and post hardcore music * Scene (album), a noise album by Merzbow * Scenes (album), a music album by Marty Friedman * Scenes (band), Irish Jazz/Rock/Experimental Band *… … Wikipedia
Fiction — is the telling of stories which are not real. More specifically, fiction is an imaginative form of narrative, one of the four basic rhetorical modes. Although the word fiction is derived from the Latin fingo, fingere, finxi, fictum , to form,… … Wikipedia
scène — [ sɛn ] n. f. • 1595; « représentation théâtrale de l Antiquité » v. 1375; rare av. XVIIe; lat. scæna, gr. skênê « tente », à cause de la construction édifiée sur la scène des théâtres grecs I ♦ 1 ♦ Dans un théâtre, L emplacement où les acteurs… … Encyclopédie Universelle
Fiction Scene — were a popular early 1990s synth techno pop band consisting of Brian Michael Travers, John Beninati, Billy Canell, Steve Williams and Vinny Gubin. The band had a faithful underground following and were regular featured headliners at local New… … Wikipedia
Fiction Préhistorique — La fiction préhistorique est un genre comportant des points communs avec la science fiction mais dont la particularité est de mettre en scène, avec plus ou moins de réalisme, des évènements se déroulant au cours de la Préhistoire. Ce genre s est… … Wikipédia en Français
Fiction prehistorique — Fiction préhistorique La fiction préhistorique est un genre comportant des points communs avec la science fiction mais dont la particularité est de mettre en scène, avec plus ou moins de réalisme, des évènements se déroulant au cours de la… … Wikipédia en Français
Fiction-writing modes — A fiction writing mode is a manner of writing with its own set of conventions regarding how, when, and where it should be used. Fiction is a form of narrative, one of the four rhetorical modes of discourse. Fiction writing also has distinct forms … Wikipedia
Fiction writing — This article is about writing fiction prose. For fiction as a concept, see fiction. Fiction writing is any kind of writing that is not factual. Fictional writing most often takes the form of a story meant to convey an author s point of view or… … Wikipedia
scene — n. 1 a place in which events in real life, drama, or fiction occur; the locality of an event etc. (the scene was set in India; the scene of the disaster). 2 a an incident in real life, fiction, etc. (distressing scenes occurred). b a description… … Useful english dictionary
fiction — (fi ksion ; en vers, de trois syllabes) s. f. 1° Invention de choses fictives. • Elle y perdait [dans la lecture de l histoire] insensiblement le goût des romans et de leurs fades héros ; et, soigneuse de se former sur le vrai, elle méprisait … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Scene (fiction)

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Wikipedia

Scene (fiction)

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link