Classwork: Tuesday, 4/4

Do Now:

• Write about a fight, argument, disagreement between two people, from a first person perspective (the perspective of one of the characters in the fight)
  • It can be a real one from your life, or one you make up. It can be realistic or fantastical.

Notes about Multi-Strand Plotlines
The best writers work in television. One of their most effective techniques are multi-strand plotlines.
Some stories work fine with a single hero pursuing one goal, but occasionally, a story will get boring in the middle, especially if there isn't enough conflict to sustain it. Although the use of a single hero pursing a single desire is the best way to explore that character fully, the use of multiple plotlines is a great way to explore the story in new ways, while increasing conflict at the same time.

The use of multiple plotlines allows the writer to keep the story moving when things begin to slow down. To keep the story alive, the writer simply jumps between storylines at the height of action, so the audience is constantly engaged.
So, when using multiple plotlines in your stories, make sure that they affect each other in some way, or make them about the same kind of thing. In a typical sitcom, there may be three separate stories, all about the same subject. Each story will demonstrate a different aspect of the theme.
Brainstorming: What TV shows or movies can you think of that have Multi-Strand plotlines?

Watch and Analyze: an episode of Bob's Burgers: "Weekend at Mort's" (on Netflix) and take notes on each 6-point plot line for:

• The kids: Tina, Gene, and Louise
• The parents: Bob and Linda,
• The friend: Mort

Homework: Rewrite the argument story from your Do Now, but from the perspective of the other person in the argument. Due Thursday.