Prewriting: The Socratic Method
Hello, Neophyte! Still cozy in the broom closet? Don’t mind the actual brooms; the janitor got a bit suspicious about everything being in another closet, so I had to share the space. Now, about your persistent loyalty to that Corpo – we’ll discuss that another time. Today, let’s delve into an unconventional yet useful method for prewriting: The Socratic Method.
This approach is more suited for conversation than the written word, especially when crafting a story. Granted, you could have a conversation with yourself about an essay; sometimes, hearing your thoughts aloud is better than keeping them bottled up. After all, we can both agree that throughout life, there are many moments where we say, “That sounded a lot better in my head.”
Now, what exactly is this Socratic Method? It’s a method of inquiry, an investigation into a concept, idea, or situation. In essence, two people engage in a discussion where one asks and the other answers. Importantly, the one asking isn’t an accuser, attacker, defender, or judge. Their role is to guide the second party in exploring every facet of the subject. The goal is to keep asking questions until there are no more questions to be answered about that topic – at least in theory. This method is a legacy of Socrates, a heavyweight in philosophy. No, Neophyte, I won’t delve into details about the man or the era he hails from just to pad the word count. Who do you think I am?
Applying the Socratic Method to Story Crafting
You may wonder, as you sit there – and pardon me for putting words in your mouth – how can the Socratic Method be applied to story crafting? It’s a valid question, especially given that this series is all about tools in the prewriting phase. I asked that very question myself, specially because it is a method designed for conversations, which yes can be applied by a lone individual working on a subject, like an essay, particularly when they find themselves stuck, but nevertheless it wasn´t intended for creative writing. Yes, Neophyte, I speak from experience; writing a novel isn’t so strange when you’ve talked to a wall without the excuse of being on a psychedelic trip. But how can this method be tailored for story crafting?
The Socratic Method revolves around having a conversation, as I said before. Have you ever tried having a conversation with your characters? Don’t give me that look; I mean it. Since characters play a pivotal role in shaping the story, wouldn’t it be intriguing to pose questions to the paper and have your characters respond right back at you? Yes, it sounds a bit eccentric, but that doesn’t make it impossible.
Once again, Neophyte, I’ve mentioned the mysterious aura characters possess, seemingly able to write the story themselves. So, why not attempt a dialogue with them? Don’t be so crazy as to assume you’ll have a conversation with a wall; it doesn’t work like that. Just follow these simple steps:
- Set a scene, placing yourself and a character in a room or somewhere relevant to your story.
- Begin asking questions and have your character answer them.
It’s that simple. Remember, your role is to ask questions until you’ve exhausted all your possibilities. Engaging in this trippy and fantastic method offers a unique way to get to know your characters. Be prepared to be both terrified and amazed by what emerges from these dialogues. The secret is to keep it honest, to not force your own words into what the characters are asnwering, no matter if it hurts you. Because if it does hurt then you are doing it right.
Now, Neophyte, that is the first application of the Socratic Method, but the prewriting phase has more parts than that. It deals with themes, ideas, all the nine yeas. The dialogue with characters is good but limited with them, you want to cover as much ground possible, so the second application involves employing the Socratic Method when dealing with themes and ideas. It’s beneficial to audibly pose questions to yourself, essentially having a conversation out loud. This process allows your thoughts to be exposed to sunlight, clearing them of doubt. Since the inner world of the mind can be treacherous, there’s nothing better than the sunlight of open dialogue to refine and clarify ideas.
Lastly, you can use the method to interrogate yourself. While it might sound unconventional, you’ve already engaged in conversations with fictional characters and even with a wall. Just as sunlight is a remedy for the inner madness of the mind, the same principle applies to self-reflection. Remember, our thoughts inside our heads may differ from our external expressions. An honest and thorough examination of your motives and ideas could prove beneficial for your work.
In summary, the Socratic Method, a legacy of the famed Greek philosopher Socrates, is typically employed in conversation and teaching. However, in creative writing, it can be utilized in three ways: conversing with characters to understand them better, exploring themes and ideas releated with the story outside of it, and getting to know your own motives and ideas more intimately.
As for tips, there are none – it’s about sitting down and doing it. This approach can be highly experimental and may break a few writing rules, but remember, rules are meant to be challenged, Neophyte. Now, back to the broom closet with you; I’ll fetch you a cushion eventually.
Until Next Time.
