The premise of a story is the basic idea or underlying concept that serves as the foundation for the plot and characters.
It is a summary of the main conflict or problem that the story will explore, and is often expressed as a statement or question.
For example, the premise of the story “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald is the tragic love story of a wealthy young man who falls in love with a woman from a different social class.
Another example is “1984” by George Orwell, the premise is how a totalitarian government uses surveillance and censorship to control the population.
What Is A Premise In Storytelling?
In storytelling, a premise is a statement that summarizes the basic idea or concept of a story. It is often expressed in the form of a question or a statement that sets up the plot and establishes the conflict or main problem that the characters will try to resolve.
A premise can also include information about the setting, characters, and themes of the story. It is a fundamental element of storytelling that guides the development of the plot and the characters, and helps the audience understand the story’s purpose and message.
What Is The Premise Of A Story?
The premise of a story is the basic idea or underlying concept that serves as the foundation for the plot and characters.
It is a summary of the main conflict or problem that the story will explore, and is often expressed as a statement or question.
The premise sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the story, and helps to establish the themes, tone, and mood.
It is the starting point for the author’s exploration of the story’s subject matter and can be considered as the backbone of the story.
What Is A Premise Of A Story Made Of?
A premise of a story is typically made up of several key elements:
The main characters: The premise should introduce the main characters and give a sense of their personalities, goals, and motivations.
The conflict or problem: The premise should also establish the main conflict or problem that the characters will face and try to resolve.
The setting: The premise should provide information about the setting, including the time and place where the story takes place.
The tone or genre: The premise should give a sense of the story’s tone or genre, such as whether it is a comedy or a drama, or if it is set in a fantasy or a realistic world.
The themes: The premise should also suggest the themes that the story will explore, such as love, power, or redemption.
All these elements come together to create a clear and concise statement that captures the core of the story, and that sets up the plot, characters, and themes.
How To Create The Premise Of A Story
Creating the premise of a story can be a multi-step process, and may vary depending on the author’s approach. Here are some general steps that could be followed to create a premise for a story:
Start with an idea: Begin by brainstorming ideas for your story. This could be a character, a setting, a problem, or a question.
Develop your characters: Create characters that are interesting and complex, with their own goals, motivations, and conflicts.
Establish the setting: Decide on the time and place where your story will take place, and consider how this setting will affect the characters and their actions.
Identify the main conflict: Decide what the main problem or conflict of your story will be. This could be an external conflict (such as a war or a crime) or an internal conflict (such as a character’s struggle with self-doubt).
Create a hook: Come up with a compelling hook that will grab the reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading.
Write a summary: Summarize your story in a sentence or two. This will help you to focus on the main idea and make sure that your story is clear and concise.
Revise and refine: Keep revisiting your premise and making adjustments as needed to make sure it is clear, compelling, and consistent with the story you want to tell.
By following these steps, you should be able to create a strong premise for your story that sets the stage for an interesting, engaging, and well-structured narrative.
What Does Premise Mean In Film And Writing?
In film and writing, a premise refers to the basic idea or concept on which a story is based. It is a statement that summarizes the main conflict, characters, and setting of a film or literary work.
The premise serves as the foundation for the plot and the development of the characters and themes.
It is the starting point for the writer and sets the direction for the story. In short, a premise is a summary of what a story is about.
Premise Examples In Cinema
Premise refers to the basic idea or concept behind a story, film, or other work of fiction. Examples of premises in cinema include:
In the movie “The Shawshank Redemption,” the premise is that a man is falsely convicted of murder and sent to prison, where he forms a friendship with a fellow inmate and eventually escapes.
In the film “The Matrix,” the premise is that humanity is trapped inside a simulated reality created by sentient machines, and a hacker must join a rebellion against the machines to free humanity.
In the movie “Forrest Gump,” the premise is that a man with a low IQ lives an extraordinary life that intersects with some of the most important events in American history.
In the film “Inception,” the premise is that a group of thieves enter the dreams of others to extract information and perform corporate espionage.
In the movie “The Lion King,” the premise is that a lion cub must overcome the betrayal of his uncle and reclaim his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands.
1. The Premise In The Matrix
The premise of the movie The Matrix is that humanity is trapped inside a simulated reality created by sentient machines.
The machines have enslaved humanity and use their bodies as an energy source while their minds are trapped in the simulated reality known as the Matrix.
The protagonist, Neo, is a hacker who discovers that the reality he knows is not real and joins a rebellion against the machines to free humanity.
He learns that he is “The One,” a prophesied savior who has the ability to manipulate the Matrix and defeat the machines.
The story follows Neo’s journey as he learns about the truth of the world and ultimately fights to free humanity from the control of the machines.
2. Premise In Before Sunrise
The premise of the movie Before Sunrise is that two strangers, Jesse and Celine, meet on a train in Europe and decide to spend one night together in Vienna before Jesse has to catch his flight the next morning.
Throughout the course of the night, they walk around the city and engage in deep conversations about their hopes, fears, and dreams.
They connect on a deep level and develop a strong bond, despite not knowing each other’s last names or contact information.
As the night comes to an end, they must decide whether they will part ways or try to find a way to be together again.
The premise of the movie is the chance encounter of two strangers and the way they connect and the impact of that connection on their lives.
3. Premise In John Wick
The premise of the movie John Wick is that a retired hitman, John Wick, seeks vengeance against the Russian mob after they steal his car and kill his dog, which was a gift from his deceased wife.
John’s past as a ruthless assassin is revealed as he sets out to take down the entire criminal organization and its leaders.
The movie follows John’s journey as he uses his skills and resources to track down and eliminate his targets, leading to intense and violent action scenes.
The premise of the movie is the story of a man pushed to the brink and seeking revenge, who utilizes his past life skills to take down the people who wronged him.
4. Premise In Pineapple Express
The premise of the movie Pineapple Express is that a stoner, Dale Denton, and his dealer, Saul Silver, accidentally witness a murder committed by a corrupt police officer and a drug lord.
They go on the run to evade the criminals and clear their names. The movie follows the comedic adventures of Dale and Saul as they try to outsmart the criminals and stay alive, while also trying to maintain their supply of the rare Pineapple Express strain of marijuana.
The premise of the movie is a comedy-action genre where the two leads are on the run from criminals and trying to clear their names, while also dealing with the challenges of being a stoner on the run.
What Is The Premise of a Story – Wrapping Up
The premise of a story is the basic concept or idea that forms the foundation of the plot. It is a summary of the central conflict or problem that the characters will face and the overall theme of the story. It is often stated in one sentence or a short phrase.
A story’s premise can set the tone, genre and direction of the story, and it is an essential element for the writer to have a clear understanding of before starting to write a story.
It is also the foundation for the audience to understand what the story is about, what to expect, and what the story will be about. In short, the premise is the backbone of any story, it sets the stage for the plot, characters, and theme and it is the foundation of the story.
