Suggested Syllabus:
THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE
Create Great Villains
& Dangerous Situations
by
Pamela Jaye Smith
THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE introduces readers to concepts of evil and divisions of the Dark Side. With that foundation the next sections explore individuals and groups who do bad things; how they got that way; how to counteract the Dark Side; and how to use the concepts in stories.
Writing instructors will find relevant examples, suggestions, and assignments for all the above in THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE.
You can create a stand-alone lecture from any chapter category, or combine the chapters and/or sections for courses of varying length and depth.
Examples in each Chapter afford many film clips and other media to view, attend, read, play.
Each category within a Chapter affords homework assignments that can generate in-class discussions, verbal and written reports, and story-writing assignments.
Depending on the size of your class, the time spent in each session, the number of examples you present, and the nature of your assignments, each Chapter could cover from one to ten lessons +/-
The Chapter breakdowns show the number of topics within a category.
Because THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE explores human nature, mother nature, and story-telling, the applications of its principles, examples, and exercises are limitless.
*****
SUGGESTED LESSONS:
Section One “What Dark Side?”
Covers many different perspectives on what is evil, why does it exist, whose fault is it, why is it attractive, what we can do about it. These are deep questions individual characters often explore and around which many stories are centered. This section can help when teaching story Theme and Premise.
8 topics for discussion and assignments
Section Two “Three levels of the Dark Side”
Explains the Personal, Impersonal, and Supra-Personal oppositions a hero can face, and every protagonist needs at least one strong antagonist plus a few other problems in the way of his goal. This section shows how to use the various levels of the Dark Side to create effective, believable conflict for the hero.
- The Dweller on the Threshold – Personal
- 6 topics for discussion and assignments
- The Dark Forces – Impersonal
- 8 topics for discussion and assignments
- The Dark Brotherhood – Supra-Personal
- 5 topics for discussion and assignments
Section Three “They Walk on the Dark Side”
Explores various individuals and groups on the Dark Side: the Anti-Hero, Mad Scientists, Seducers, Pirates, Rebels, Evil Twins, Bumblers, Big Brother, Vampires, Ghosts, and many more. Each category offers:
- Characteristics
- Examples from real life
- Examples from media
- Suggestions on how to use them in your stories
Section Four “The Lure of the Dark Side”
The all-important Character Arc requires that a character start one way and end up another way. This section explores the various ways people move onto the Dark Side, be it by accident or intention.
Each category offers examples and suggestions for using that particular Lure to the Dark Side, be it Sleeping with the Enemy, Drinking the Kool-Aid, Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time, etc.
Section Five “Confronting the Dark Side”
Drama is all about conflict, so pitting your heroine against the baddies is the core of a story. Whatever a story’s style or genre there are plenty of approaches here: charms, laughter, deception, nonviolence, seduction, etc.
- Defense Against the Dark Side
- 17 topics for discussion and assignments
Section Six “Working with the Dark Side”
These specific tools for writers offer ways to more effectively use the Dark Side in their stories.
- Selecting the Worthy Opponent
- 13 topics for discussion and assignments
- The Sliding Scale
- 1 topic for discussion and assignments
- The Dark Side of Our Future
- 6 topics for discussion and assignments
SUGGESTED MEDIA AIDS:
Film clips, viewing assignments, games, reading assignments, etc. are throughout the chapters and specific to each category.
SUGGESTED STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS:
Find examples and write reports or bring examples to show the class.
*****
The book contains a bibliography, web-links, and a glossary.
*****
Author:
Pamela Jaye Smith
MYTHWORKS
7231 Franklin Ave. #5
Hollywood, CA 90046
323-874-6042 phone/fax
www.pamelajayesmith.com
THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE
ISBN-13: 978-1-932907-43-8
ISBN-10: 1-932907-30-0
Publisher:
Michael Wiese Productions
www.mwp.com