A Step Outline - Example


A step outline might begin this way:

  1. The First Lady (Gwen) and the President (John) are arguing at breakfast. Gwen storms out.
  2. Across the street, she's being watched by Carlo and Andres. When she leaves in a limo, they follow her.
  3. They follow her on a series of good will visits: to a hospital, a retirement center, a dedication.
  4. When the limo stops for gas, Carlo and Andres seize the moment and take her hostage. A gun fight ensures but they get away.

And so on. The purpose here is not to demonstrate "good writing" but to put down the structural foundations of the story.

I like to keep the scene descriptions brief and put one scene each on an index card.

Sometimes the next step is to expand the step outline into a treatment.

[Other step outline examples: E.T., Field of Dreams, Frankenweenie]


SCREENWRIGHT: the craft of screenwriting

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