Reason • [Archetype] • An Archetypal Character who represents the qualties of Logic and Control • The Reason Archetypal Character evaluates and acts solely on the basis of calm logic, never becoming enraged, passionate or emotionally involved in a decision. Although common in simple stories, the Reason character is hard to empathize with. As a result, it is one of the characters most often altered slightly from its archetypal arrangement to provide more potential for empathy from the audience. A frequent choice is to swap the trait of calm with the Emotional character’s trait of frenzy. The result is that both characters become more interesting, the Reason character being both logical and frenetic, the Emotional character being highly passionate yet in control

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Reappraisal • [Variation] • dyn.pr. Appraisal<–>Reappraisal • reconsideration of a previous determination • When one has made an initial appraisal as to where preliminary evidence seems to be leading, there comes a time when one must make a Reappraisal of the evidence to see if its direction has changed. This tends to keep one on the right track. But characters, like everyday people, are influenced by what has occurred most recently — “What have you done for me lately?” As a result, during Reappraisal a character might discount the body of evidence in favor of that which is most fresh in his mind. • syn. reassess, rechecking, checking up, re-examining a conclusion, reevaluating a conclusion

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Reaction • [Element] • dyn.pr. Proaction<–>Reaction • actions made in response • The Reaction characteristic leads a character to strike back at the source of a problem. Reaction is less precipitous than Proaction requiring the problem to materialize before it acts. It does not take preemptive first strikes nor does it turn the other cheek. As a result, it often waits too long to tackle a problem that could easily have been prevented, then gets in a brawl that actually becomes a problem. Many authors try to pit one Proactive character against another. This actually diminishes the drama of the conflict as both characters are taking the same approach. By making one character Proactive and another Reactive, a much more real and powerful interaction is created. • syn. response, reply, acting from stimulus, goaded to action

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Reach • [Overview Appreciation] • the manner in which the audience identifies with the Main Character, through Empathy or Sympathy • The Reach of a story describes the relationship between the audience and the Main Character. An audience might Empathize with a Main Character in which case the audience identifies with the Main Character and sees the story through his eyes. Alternatively, an audience might Sympathize with the Main Character in which case it stands next to the Main Character as if it were a close acquaintance. The story dynamics that determine Empathy or Sympathy are different for men than for women. Women tend to identify and Empathize with a Main Character of either sex who is limited by a Optionlock. Men tend to only Empathize with male Main Characters. Women tend to Sympathize with a Main Character of either sex who is limited by a timelock. Men tend only to Sympathize with female Main Characters. As a result of these dynamics, sometimes both women and men will Empathize, sometimes women only, sometimes men only, sometimes neither (both will Sympathize). It should be noted that these are tendencies only. Training, experience, and personal choice in any individual audience member can slip the balance wholly to the other side. Nevertheless, at the subconscious level these tendencies will hold true.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Rationalization • [Variation] • dyn.pr. Obligation<–>Rationalization • an alternative explanation used to mask the real reason • Rationalization is the attempt to have your cake and eat it too. When a character expects that catering to his desires will bring about some cost or punishment, he tries to do what he’d like in a way he thinks will avoid retribution. One way is to come up with an excuse. Rationalization involves fabricating an artificial reason for one’s attitude or actions that will excuse them. The reason must make sense as being a possible actual cause of the character’s activities. In fact, it might very well have been the reason, except that it wasn’t, which is what makes it a Rationalization. • syn. fabricated excuse, ulterior explanation, false justification, artificial reason

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Quad • [Structural Term] • For every dramatic unit, three others can be found that possess a similar quality. A relationship exists in this group of four units that allows them to act as rheostat controlling dramatic direction and flow. These groups can be represented as a square divided into four quadrants — hence the name QUAD. In each quad of four dramatic units, special relationships and functions exist between diagonal, horizontal, and vertical pairs.

From the Dramatica Dictionary