Information Package / Course Catalogue
Storytelling
Course Code: İLT334
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 1
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The objective of this course is to convey the core components of classical and contemporary narrative structures, to enable students to design story universes suitable for diverse media platforms, and to teach the methodology of structuring a narrative from conception to execution.

Course Content

The course covers the historical development of narrative, archetypes, the Three-Act Structure, and Hero's Journey models. Creating character archetypes, elements of conflict, space-time relationships, transmedia storytelling, and micro-story design for digital platforms form the main focus areas. Alongside theoretical analyses, students produce their own original scripts and narrative drafts through weekly workshops.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains classical and contemporary storytelling theories and structural models.
2.Structures a concept along the axes of character, conflict, and plot in accordance with narrative principles.
3.Analyzes the inner workings of narrative structures in media texts with a critical approach.
4.Develops story formats suitable for the technical and aesthetic dynamics of the targeted media platform (cinema, digital platforms, social media).
5.Presents original narrative projects at professional standards using written and oral presentation (pitching) techniques.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Field, S. (2005). Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. Delta.
2.McKee, R. (1997). Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting. ReganBooks.
3.Vogler, C. (2020). The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers (4th ed.). Michael Wiese Productions.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Origins of narrative and its function in human life; the transformation of storytelling from oral to digital culture. Initial concept exercises through the structure of classical texts.
Week 2 - Theoretical
Aristotle's Poetics and the foundations of dramatic structure; concepts of mimesis, catharsis, action, and plot. Deconstruction of dramatic structure in classical film scenes.
Week 3 - Theoretical
The Three-Act Structure; setup, confrontation, inciting incident, plot points, climax, and resolution. Mapping selected short stories according to the three-act model.
Week 4 - Theoretical
Joseph Campbell and "The Hero's Journey" (Monomyth); the concept of monomyth and the steps of the departure stage. Students drafting the departure phase for their own characters.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Initiation and return stages in the Hero's Journey model; obstacles, the supreme ordeal, and reward mechanisms. Mapping the journey layout over popular cinema examples.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Character design and psychology; internal/external motivations, character arc, flaws, and desires. Workshop on creating character biographies and personal conflict files.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Archetypes in narrative; Jungian and Voglerian approaches. Functions of the hero, mentor, threshold guardian, shadow, and trickster. Designing an inter-character relationship matrix.
Week 8 - Theoretical
Types of conflict and antagonist design; man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. self conflicts. Writing escalating conflict dialogues between characters.
Week 9 - Theoretical
Construction of time and space in narrative; non-linear narratives, flashbacks, parallel editing, and the use of space as a character. Designing scenes with time leaps.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Visual storytelling; translating words into visuals, the "show, don't tell" principle. Applications of descriptive language in screenwriting and staging.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Transmedia storytelling; expanding and spreading story universes across different platforms (comic books, games, web series). Mapping a transmedia universe based on a single core concept.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Micro and macro storytelling on digital platforms; narrative formats for YouTube, podcasts, and social media platforms, creating hook effects. Production of content flow plans for short-form video media.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Project development and presentation techniques (Pitching); logline, synopsis, and treatment writing standards. Written dossier preparation and revision session for students' end-of-term projects.
Week 14 - Theoretical
Oral project presentations; presenting developed story universes to the committee, receiving feedback, and final submission of projects.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Quiz1%10
Midterm Examination1%25
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142370
Assignment45124
Project110111
Individual Work60212
Midterm Examination110111
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)128
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
OÇ-1
3
3
3
1
4
4
2
4
2
2
2
3
2
2
3
OÇ-2
3
3
5
2
3
4
2
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
OÇ-3
3
3
4
2
4
5
3
5
3
3
3
4
3
2
4
OÇ-4
4
3
4
3
4
4
2
4
3
4
4
4
4
3
4
OÇ-5
3
3
4
2
3
3
2
3
4
3
3
3
4
4
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026