Subjective Story Type Order • [Plot Structure] • the progressive sequence of activites and/or concerns engaged in to arrive at a solution to the problem between the Main and Obstacle Characters, act by act • As the Subjective Story progresses act by act, it covers the Subjective Story Perspective (the Perspective created by matching the Subjective Story Domain with one of the four Classes) Type by Type around the quad of Types which it contains. These four explorations make up the four acts and describe the kinds of things that will have to happen in order to arrive face to face with the Subjective Story Problem.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Solution • [Element] • the specific element needed to resolve the difficulties between the Main Character and The Obstacle Character • This is the item which will, if introduced, restore balance in the Subjective Story and neutralize the effects of the Problem by replacing it. It may not be actually implemented, but if it were adopted in the relationship between the Main and Obstacle Characters, it would end the source of their conflict and change their relationship.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Line • the story as it relates to the relationship and conflict between the Main and Obstacle Characters • The passionate argument of a story is carried by the relationship between the story’s Subjective Characters– namely, the Main and Obstacle Characters. The examination of their internal states and the articulation of the story’s passionate argument makes up the Subjective Story Line. This is not the view from within the shoes of either the Main or Obstacle Characters, but is rather like an objective view of their subjective relationship. It is a view of their story together which always sees both of them.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Problem • [Element] • the underlying cause of the difficulties between the Main Character and the Obstacle Character • This is the actual source of the inequity between the Subjective Characters which lies at the level of their motivations. Only by applying the Subjective Story Solution can the effects of this inequity finally be dealt with.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Issue • [Variation] • The central thematic topic of the Subjective Story • Each of the four Domains (Objective Story, Main Character, Obstacle Character, and Subjective Story) has its own theme. This occurs because each Domain is really just a different point of view examining the same central inequity at the heart of the story as a whole. Each Domain, then, sees the troubles in a different light and is therefore drawn to a different standard of values by which to measure it. The thematic Issue in each Domain is that standard. The Subjective Story Issue is the most contentious of the four. This is because the Subjective Story itself is the most incendiary of the Domains, representing the clash of two diametrically opposed belief systems. So, the thematic Issue of the Subjective Story pertains to the Main and Obstacle Characters and everything that happens between them. An author will use the Subjective Story Issue to draw philosophic value judgments about the central subject matter of the story’s passionate argument. The audience will get a sense of what the heart of the story is all about, effectively, what the moralistic message is.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Inhibitor • [Variation] • The kind of item that serves to impedes the subjective story’s progress • The Subjective Story Inhibitor is what prevents the Subjective Story from just rushing full speed to the solution. It is like a brake mechanism which can be applied as the author pleases. The introduction of this item will always slow the progress of the Subjective Story. It works as the antidote to the Subjective Story Catalyst.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Focus • [Element] • the principal symptom of the difficulties between the Main Character and the Obstacle Character, where attention is focused in the subjective story • When there is a problem in the relationship between the Main and Obstacle character, they look at it from their subjective point of view and cannot see its actual nature because it lies on the level of their motivations. Instead they focus their attention on what they believe to be the source of their problems which is really an effect of the problem. This area is called the Subjective Story Focus.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Domain • [Domain] • the realm in which the Subjective Story takes place; the background against which the relationship between the Main and Obstacle Characters is played • Stories are about meaning. Meaning is created from perspective. Perspective is the relationship between what is being examined and the point of view from where it is seen. Simply put, an author determines the subject matter of a story and how he sees it. This is what becomes the message or meaning of the story. There are four principal points of view which must come into play in all complete stories. They are the Objective, Main Character, Obstacle Character, and Subjective views. The Objective view of a story is the widest view, examining the issues that affect all the characters in the story overall. There are four principal categories of subject matter (called Classes). They are Universe, Mind, Physics and Psychology. In more conversational terms we might think of them as (in the same order) Situation, Attitude, Activity, Manner of Thinking. In reality, they represent external and internal states of affairs and external and internal processes. Anything we might consider as subject matter can be broadly categorized as being an external or internal state or process. When a point of view is attached to the subject matter, the Class of subject matter becomes the Domain or realm in which that point of view does its exploring. So, when the Objective view is associated with a Class, that Class becomes the Objective Story Domain. The Subjective Story Domain examines the issues that affect the relationship between the Main and Obstacle Characters. An SS Domain of Universe means that some fixed external situation is causing troubles for the characters, such as being stuck together as business partners. An SS Domain of Mind means that fixed attitudes are the problem, such as two ministers’ differing attitudes regarding the existence of the soul in genetically engineered fetuses. An SS Domain of Physics means that the two characters’ difficulties arise from an activity, such as a custody battle between parents. And an SS Domain of Psychology means that the way the Main and Obstacle Characters think is the source of problems between them, such as mother and daughter who vie for dominance.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Direction • [Element] • The direction of response in the subjective story; the apparent remedy for the symptom of the difficulties between the Main Character and The Obstacle Character • Subjective Characters do the best they can to deal with the Subjective Story Problem, but because the Main and Obstacle Characters are all looking at the problem from their subjective points of view, they can’t get enough distance to actually see the problem right away. Instead they focus on the effects of the problem, which is called the Subjective Story Focus, and choose to follow what they feel will be a remedy, which is called the Subjective Story Direction.

From the Dramatica Dictionary

Subjective Story Concern • [Type] • The principal area of concern between the Main Character and the Obstacle Character • The nature of the things which the Main and Obstacle Characters want from their relationship; the Subjective Story Concern describes how the audience sees the concern of the Main and Obstacle character’s relationship with each other being.

From the Dramatica Dictionary