There are a few fundamental concepts that should be introduced first. These are:

1. The Story Mind: A story is an analogy to a single human mind trying to resolve an inequity. Characters enact the motivations of the story mind. Plot documents the problem-solving methods employed by the story mind. Theme examines by what standards values are determined in the story mind. Finally, genre establishes the story mind’s overall attitude that influences the characters, plot, and theme.

2. The Grand Argument Story: A grand argument story must consider all points of view of a problem and provide the most appropriate solution to solve it. Dramatica explores four perspectives to present all sides of the issues. They are the Objective Story throughline, Subjective Story throughline, Main Character throughline, and Obstacle Character throughline.

3. Objective Story Throughline: The objective story throughline represents the dispassionate argument of the story, emphasizing events and relationships in a cause and effect way. Characters in the objective story are either archetypal or complex.

4. Main Character Throughline: The main character is the conduit through whom the audience experiences the story subjectively.

5. Obstacle Character Throughline: To completely explore the issue at the heart of a story, an obstacle character must present an alternative approach to that pursued by the main character. The obstacle character throughline is the advocate of this alternative path and the manner in which its impact on the main character develops.

6. Subjective Story Throughline: The subjective story throughline is the passionate argument of a story carried out by the two subjective characters--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 throughline.

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