Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [structure]

For questions about the connections between and ordering of elements within a written work.

Questions about the different ways the elements of a piece of writing can be put together and how they affect the reader, including transitions from one section to another, time-line presentation and flashback usage, viewpoints, and writing approach.

For questions about the structure of sentences, use instead.

Related tags:

386 questions
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People like my book, starting halfway through

This is kind of an alternate take on my other recent question, as well as the inverse problem to this question. I've been told by more than one beta reader that there's a specific chapter where they went from "meh" on my book to really feeling…
Chris Sunami
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How do I balance action and life?

When writing stories, I tend to get really caught up in the small interactions and lives of my characters. I explore their state of mind, their relationships, their habits. However, because of this; a story that by genre convention should be dense…
Weckar E.
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How can I write well-structured ideas without overusing connectors such as "moreover" and "in addition to"

When I write, I find some obstacles in forming well-structured ideas and my writing does not sound natural because of overusing connectors. How can I overcome this issue?
Lucy Brown
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Story Structure

I gained a lot of momentum from the answers to my first question. I've read a couple of writing books and read a lot of articles online. Although I'm still quite 'green', I have a much better idea as to what writing is all about. I am currently…
JBP
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How can I reconcile the exposition of the three act scheme vs. starting out with a bang?

I am a few thousand words into my newest draft and starting to question if I picked the right beginning. As usual, when I get back into the habit of writing regularly, I have also gotten back into the habit of reading about how to write. There are…
StrixVaria
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Is there a name for this kind of sentence structure?

I've seen this construction quite a bit, although only in the last five years or so. It's a transcription of a way of speaking, where the speaker is emphasizing something by using a verbal full stop after several words in a row, no matter where it…
Lauren-Clear-Monica-Ipsum
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Can i have two low points in a story?

It's a TV episode. the heroes reach a low point where they think they're defeated, one of the characters has an idea to make things work, they follow him and it eventually leads to a combat scene, they lose and are hopeless again, but another…
Ahmed Khattab
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How do you effectively denote a non-"heading-ed" transition into a concluding section?

Consider a piece writing that makes three points, all prefaced by some type of heading: Multiple paragraphs of introduction Heading 1 Multiple paragraphs explaining Argument 1 Heading 2 Multiple paragraphs explaining Argument 2 Heading 3 Multiple…
Deane
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How do you describe a methodology of writing?

How do you describe your methodology of writing? I am submitting the outline of my novella for a competition and this is one of the requirements: The outline must include a summary of the Novella as well as the methodology and approach.
elle6677
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What does "telling and not showing" mean?

I have been told that my writing had the right idea and aim, but my words weren't strong enough to support that. I need some tips and tricks to help strengthen my writing. I've been told that I have been "telling and not showing". What does that…
Nate_Writes
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Avoiding "and" as a sentence structure

I have a horrific habit I'm finding it very difficult to break. A disturbingly large portion of my sentences consist of the same structure-- two parts separated by "and." I don't know how to break the habit. Please help. Example: After awhile our…
temporary_user_name
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Categorizing paragraphs in a stack exchange answer

I stumbled across the question on Writing Beta about "How do you write a stack exchange answer?". The best answer says use headings. What would the headings be for? The main idea/topic of each paragraph or of each "section"? Or would it be the…
Sweet_Cherry
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How much outlining should I use in writing my book?

In my writing style, I make an outline of what I'm going to write, and I have fun in between. I was kidding myself in thinking outlining contrasted with "stream of consciousness" in which thoughts just flow onto the screen (paper?) My goal is to…
Matthew Paul Chapdelaine
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Events happening in two places in one short story?

Events happening in two places in one short story? Is this ethical to happen in one short story (craftwise) or is it unprofessional to break the linear flow? Eg: A wakes up thinks, wait get dressed and leave to place X. In place X a bunch of…
user21564
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Text structure in a fictional diary

I began writing a novel. It's something I'm preparing for a long time and I now have enough material. Given the fact that I will concentrate on my main character's poitnt of view, and that I want to show his toughts on a daily basis, I decided that…
Koblenz
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