How to Create a More Resonant Story Using Thematic Conflict

If you are writing a script with a theme, you won’t find a better model than The Fountainhead. Its author, Ayn Rand, stated that the theme of her story was “individualism versus collectivism…in man’s soul.” The structure of how Rand stated this theme can be very useful to writers, producers, and all creatives.

Let’s look at some positive consequences of Rand stating her theme so essentially in a three-word conflict statement, “Individualism versus Collectivism.”

When a writer has their theme exactly clear in a short, essentialized conflict statement, it is a great handle for the writer to keep their theme clearly in mind when developing and writing their story. A story has thousands of moving parts and it is only broad principles that can organize these in the writer’s mind.

More specifically:

Having a short three-word thematic conflict statement distinctly in mind helps a writer to construct character motivations, internal conflicts,and the character and relationship arcs of their story. These key story elements are predicated on a theme. The theme being in such a short, blunt, and memorable conflict form greatly helps a writer to work with the multitude of elements in their story.

A classic film that shows the value of having a principled theme conflict statement is Casablanca. The three-word thematic conflict statement for Casablanca is “Isolation versus Involvement.” Watch the film and see how this thematic conflict expresses the motivations of the protagonist (Rick Blaine) and undergirds the structure of the story.

 (I believe that I first learned about Thematic Conflict from Dr. Leonard Peikoff in a literary analysis class of his that is now the book Discovering Great Plays: As Literature and Philosophy.)  

Actionable Creative Takeaway

When you are developing your story, especially if it’s adrama, work out precise versions of your Theme, Thematic Conflict, and Premise statements. Write these down at the top of every version of the story you are writing -- synopsis, beat sheet, script, for example.

Theme:

Thematic Conflict:

Premise:

Doing this will force you to develop these vital components of your story to be integrated and clear in your mind so they best aid the development and writing of your script. In the long run that means a stronger more marketable story!

For your current story can you state your theme in a 3-word thematic conflict statement?

If you want help with the theme, thematic conflict, and premise of your story, email me.  

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Scott McConnell is a story coach and script consultant helping creatives develop better and more marketable stories.  

 “Scott McConnell is an excellent Script Editor.”                                    Snorri Þórisson,  CEO Pegasus Pictures 

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