27 Essential Principles of Story: Master the Secrets of Great Storytelling, from Shakespeare to South Park

What makes a good story? Offhand, you might list such things as an engaging plot, believable characters, and an interesting setting – and you would be right. But each of those elements has a lot more to it. Author Daniel Rubin breaks down exactly what stories need to be compelling and memorable, even meaningful, in this wonderful book that is both literary analysis and writer’s handbook. Taking those three main elements, he divides each further into nine principles, which he then explains in depth. First, he gives an overview of what the principle entails, then a deeper explanation, followed by a quick synopsis of a story that illustrates that principle well. His illustrations are taken from extremely disparate sources, from classic literature to film and television and even to video games – showing how a good story uses these same principles no matter in which media it is presented. As you read and work your way through this book (definitely use it as a writer’s guide!) you will enjoy the author’s synopsis of various masterworks (and probably find many you will want to further explore) and you will delight in your increasing ability to notice how the storytelling masters around you put these principles in practice while honing your own storytelling skills.