Every Scene Must Have a Purpose
Advance the Plot, Reveal Character With Scene Writing Exercises
Apr 30, 2009
No matter how beautifully a scene is written, how detailed the setting, how evocative the mood, each scene must still serve a purpose.
"The writer must know exactly what each scene accomplishes in and for the novel. Whether or not any one scene can be called 'obligatory,' nothing in a novel can exist unrelated to the rest," said author William Sloane in The Craft of Writing.
Three Functions of a Scene
According to Sandra Scofield, author of The Scene Book, the three functions of a scene are:
- To introduce new plot elements,
- To set up a situation that will be important later, or
- To reveal something about a character.
Scenes Advance the Plot
A scene advances the plot by showing introducing a conflict, expanding and complicating it, or resolving it. Plot is all about problems characters have to face, and without them, there is no story.
These are the action scenes, where something happens to a character or between characters. Two people argue, have a fist fight, or even decide not to have a fight. Or a fire breaks out, a driver has a car accident, a neighbor is found murdered. One way or another, the story’s plot moves forward.
Scenes Set Up Situations
If it will be important later in the story that a couple have an argument, the reason for that argument may need to be set up earlier. If the set-up requires a full scene, write it as such – it serves an important purpose, even if the reader doesn’t recognize it at the time. If it doesn’t require its own scene, the purpose can be accomplished with a phrase or two in another scene, or in a section of summary.
Scenes Reveal Character
Some scenes don’t seem to have much action, but nevertheless serve an important function. A scene that shows a character acting dishonestly may not advance the main plot, but gives the reader a good sense of his motivations. A gentle picnic scene on the beach could include dialogue or subtle actions that reveal kindness or cruelty.
Scene Writing Exercises
- Summarize each scene in one sentence. For example: "Mary and John go on a date." "Mary finds her house broken into, papers missing." "John meets Susan for coffee."
- Determine the purpose of each scene and write it next to the summary sentence. The stolen papers scene will be obvious – advancing the plot. The scene with John and Susan could be character development (John is cheating on Mary) or plot advancement (John is selling the papers to Mary). Mary’s date with John could have a purpose (shows John’s character, reveals up relationship, sets up John’s stealing the papers), or it could simply be a fun scene to read.
- If a scene serves no important function, determine what could be added or changed so it does. The “fun scene” of Mary and John’s date could be rewritten to include character or plot advancement, and thus become necessary instead of fluff.
If every scene in a story is written with a purpose, the result with be a tighter plot, better characters, and a more seamless story.
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