Concepts in this guide are presented in an order that will get people writing and interested enough to dig deeper. The remainder is improving on the basics. The phrase, what this story is about, is often substituted for concept, plot, theme, and premise . Concept is an excellent tool for focusing dramatic structure. Theme and premise can be useful tools, but are less often used, even though they are evident in stories.
Plot is the most useful tool and has been explained in some depth.
Contemporary wisdom has it that characterization is the essential starting point for a screenplay and that story follows from character. However, many writers need some idea of what their story is about before they can even begin developing characters. For example, as people confront questions in their life they often choose to write about them. Characters become a device for exploration. This idea is central to the Writers Workshop pilot program with high schools, giving students both the motivation to write, and an avenue of exploration.