24 Questions for Analyzing a Story

• You just finished a Story.
• Wherever it is a Film, Book, Video Game or a Song.
• Wherever you’ve Watched/Read/Played/Listened to it.
• Or you’ve written it, and now want more insight on your own tale.
• Here’s a Set of 24 Questions allowing you to encompass this Story.

Summary – 6 steps to an Analysis

1. Define/Identify the Themes of the Story.
2. Link these Themes to Characters, Environments & Items.
3. Picture the Story – Try to draw it.
4. What are the Most Memorable moments of the Story?
5. Draw all the Characters in the same Place.
6. Imagine their Interactions & their Behavior in this Location.

• These Questions should allow you to comprehend Stories wholly.
• And maybe, push you to rewrite Stories.



6 questions regarding the Story

• How do I start my Story?
• What are the Main Themes of this Story?
• Start with 4 Themes.
• Define 4 main Fields of Interest.
• Wherever it is in the Dialogues or in the Environment’s Description.
• Generally 1 or multiple Main Characters will represent a Theme.
• You can then look for 2 more Themes.
• Try to limit yourself to 6 Themes which encompass the story.

• What makes the Story Memorable?
• Give each Chapter, Scene, Character & Environment Quirks.
• As well as Peculiarities in the Narration.
• Even in the Writing: Symbols, Abbreviations, the use of Stylistic figures.

• How could you Clarify it?
• Only the Main Story needs to be Clear.
• Stories have hidden parts.
• Even if you haven’t written the Story you can see them.
• Some episodes are left unfinished.
• Or the outcome is unclear.
• These parts are hidden for reasons.
• You should be able to find these reasons.
• If you can’t figure out the reasons maybe there are none.

• How Consistent is the Story according to you?
• How can I make this Story more Consistent?
• You want to balance the Resources & the Issue.
• You may have noticed some loss of Rhythm.
• Some scenes may be too long.
• Or appear to be too short.
• Maybe the Characters were given too much time to solve an issue.
• Maybe they shouldn’t be able to solve an issue this fast.
• Finally, you want to consider the Evolution of 2 Factors :
  • The Characters Behaviors
  • The Characters Relationships

• How Coherent is the Story according to you?
• How can I make this Story more Coherent?
• You may have noticed that some Elements appeared or disappeared inexplicably.
• The Characters may have found an Item which appeared to be Essential.
• But they didn’t use it in the whole Story.
• Or they may have forgotten it.
• The Characters are able to pass a Trial with a new found Strength or Ability.
• But this Ability was never mentioned before.

• How Satisfying is the End according to you?
• How can I make the Ending more Satisfying?
• The Ending is supposed to end most plots.
• If some parts of the Stories are left Unfinished there must be a reason.
• The Last Setting is also fundamental.
• Was it chosen properly?
• Which Setting would you have chosen?
• Some Characters will disappear in the End.
• Which Characters should have disappeared according to you?
• How would you rewrite it?

If you want to know more about immersive Stories.



6 questions regarding the Characters

• What is the Character’s Identity?
• How do you define this Character’s Identity?
• Is the Identity of each Character defined clearly?
• Characters need Origins.
• They need a Name.
• And Goal.
• None of these 3 elements may be Stated in the Story.
• However, you’ll need Hints.
• Suggestions on their previous and in some cases future Identity.

• What makes the Character Likable?
• Strengths create Likeability.
• Stories may benefit from some Sympathetic Characters.
• Or some not Sympathetic, but still funny.
• Tales need to drive Entertainment.
• And the simplest way to Entertain is through Characters.

• What makes the Character Relatable?
• Weaknesses create Relatability.
• Character will display weaknesses.
• These Weaknesses make them Relatable.
• There are Weaknesses no one wants to relate to.
• Though, this reaction may be seen as a success on the behalf of the author.
• Balance the Weaknesses your choosing depending on the level of Attachment you want to generate.

• What makes the Character Memorable?
• Quirks.
• Hairstyles.
• Silhouettes.
• The Shape of their Bodies.
• Their Expressions & Habits.

• How will you Remember this Character?
• It can be the Character’s Introduction.
• The Character’s disappearance.
• It can be a Unique Phrase she uses.

• Would you like to Interact with this Character?
• If you could speak to this Character would you?
• Or Start a relationship with her.
• Characters are Ideals.
• Which Ideal do they represent to you?

If you want to know more about diverse Characters.

6 questions regarding Groups

• What is the Role of this World’s Organizations?
• Every World is Administrated by Organizations.
• These Organizations may not be apparent.
• And their Goals may not be Clear.
• As always, there is no need for a Definitive answer.
• A Story only needs Suggestions.
• Most often their Goal will be to Acquire Resources.
• You only need to define which Resources are most Desirable in your World.

• What are the Relationships between these Organizations?
• If the Organization are Clearly defined there must be a way to establish their Relationships.
• Their Alignments.
• Their Alliances.
• You don’t need to present all Organizations in a Single Story.
• Their Hierarchy & Structure may be developed through a Series.

• Did the Main Characters create Groups?
• Who are the Main Characters?
• What are their Beliefs?
• Do they intend to Administrate an Organization?
• If multiple Characters share Mutual Interests they may be willing to regroup.
• It could be a contingency alliance.
• Or the will to develop an intimate relationship.

• How was the Group created?
• There are 2 Dimensions to the Group’s Formation : Reason & Rhythm.
• Characters may join Voluntarily.
• They may have been Forced.
• For Survival, perhaps.
• The construction may be Progressive.
• Or it may be Brutal.

• Where did the Group form?
• Were they familiar with the Location?
• Where they put there?
• Where they trapped?
• The Characters must have a relationship with the Setting.

• How did the group affect each Character’s Evolution?
• Characters may change drastically after joining a group.
• It may be a change in their routine.
• A Different/Unexpected reaction when facing a Crisis.
• Groups have effects on an Individual.

If you want to know more about Groups & Teams.



6 questions regarding the Environments

• How is the Atmosphere of this World?
• Atmosphere depends of the Kind of Emotion you’re targeting.
• This Emotion will help you to define your Scene’s Genre.
• Each World has specific Colors.
• Specific Forms.
• And ways the Public will relate to these Forms & Colors.
• For they will evoke specific Sensations.

• What makes it Unique?
• Every World should have specific Component.
• It may be its Cities.
• Its Inhabitants.
• Its Technology.
• Its Beliefs.

• What are Rules of this World?
• A World needs to create a Synergy between Natural Rules & the Rules established by Sentient beings.
• It needs an efficient Economic system.
• Or, an Economy aligned on the resources available.
• Meaning the Economy of a World should be aligned on its Ecology.
• And as the Ecology is often largely misunderstood, the Economy should be flexible enough to adapt to natural discoveries.

• In which Order do you discover the different Settings?
• The Introduction defines the rhythm of the Story.
• The Story then Unfolds through a combination of Settings.
• Most of them linked to the subsequent one.

• How developed is the description of each Setting?
• The most important Settings have the most elaborate description.
• Except if the Author decided to hide aspects of these Settings.
• Some elements are hidden in order to Highlight others.

• Is there a way out of this World?
• Did the Author define the limits of her World?
• How were they define?
• Can the Characters quit this World?
• How so?
• Where would they arrive?

If you want to know more about memorable Environments.