Story Analysis Archives

Play the Dramatica Story Problem Game!

Object of the Game

At the heart of every story is a central problem that has an impact on Genre, Plot, Theme, and Characters. This game is designed to help identify this problem as one step in constructing a sound story.

About the Dramatica Game Board

The Dramatica Table of Problem Elements is arranged in a "3-D" pattern as indicated in the picture below. By moving down through the levels, you can zero in on the nature of your story's central problem.

How to Play

1. Enter the game board by clicking on the picture above. This will take you to the top level.

2. Select the item that best completes the statement, "My story is about..."

3. As a result of your choice above, you have moved deeper into the game board to level 2. Again, complete the statement, "My story is about..."

4. Each choice you make defines your story's central problem with greater precision. You are now on level three. Again, complete the statement, "My story is about..."

5. Congratulations! You are now on the bottom level of the game board. Here you will see four final items, any one of which could be the central problem of your story, based on your earlier choices. Which one you choose is completely up to you, but your selection will have a big impact on the message of your story. Ask yourself, "Which one is my story about?"

How to Use the Results of the Game

Using the choice you've made, you can write two sentences that tell a lot about your story in a minimum of space.

Follow this format:

My story is about (choice 1) having to do with (choice 2).
It explores (choice 3) in terms of (choice 4).

For example:

My story is about (an activity) having to do with (obtaining).
It explores (morality) in terms of (faith).

• Choice 1 helps narrow your genre.
• Choice 2 helps define your plot.
• Choice 3 helps specify your theme.
• Choice 4 helps focus your characters.

It's Just a Game!

The Dramatica Story Problem Game is just an interesting way to illustrate a small part of what Dramatica has to offer. In the actual Dramatica software, the game board is constantly being rearranged behind the scenes by other dramatic choices you make for your story. It is this rearranging of dramatic elements that allows Dramatica to "predict" key story points about your Characters, Plot, Theme, and Genre without locking into a formula.

In addition, the Dramatica software has Brainstorming fuctions, a fully operational "Story Engine," graphical displays of character relationships, scores of reports, a detailed Query System where you design your dramatics, a complete interactive Exploratorial of the Dramatica theory, and much, much, more.