Scriptwriting Essentials 3

Question 1

What is the 'inciting incident' in a story structure?

Accepted Answer

The event that sets the main plot in motion

Answer

The inciting incident disrupts the protagonist's status quo and launches the central conflict.

Question 2

In three-act structure, what generally happens at the Act Two midpoint?

Accepted Answer

A major turn that raises stakes or shifts the protagonist's approach

Answer

The midpoint is a pivotal reversal or revelation that changes the trajectory of the second act.

Question 3

What is a 'character arc'?

Accepted Answer

The internal transformation a character undergoes over the story

Answer

A character arc traces how a character changes in belief, behavior, or identity from beginning to end.

Question 4

What does 'show, don't tell' advise screenwriters to do?

Accepted Answer

Convey information through action and visuals rather than exposition

Answer

Because film is visual, it's stronger to dramatize information through behavior and images than to state it outright.

Question 5

What is the primary function of the climax in a screenplay?

Accepted Answer

The peak confrontation that resolves the central conflict

Answer

The climax is the highest point of tension where the main conflict comes to a decisive head.

Scriptwriting Practice Test