Question

Tory was excited to sign up for a screenwriting class, but it was full. Her mother suggested that Tory should just take the novel-writing class instead, since there’s no real difference between writing novels and writing screenplays. Why is Tory’s mother wrong?

A.
A screenwriter’s intention differs from a novelist’s intention.
B.
Unlike a screenwriter, a novelist must have a strong grasp of dialogue.
C.
A screenwriter and a novelist each have their own, entirely unique set of fictional strategies.
D.
Writing a screenplay is a much simpler endeavor than writing a novel.

Answer 1

Tory's mother is incorrect because screenwriting and novel-writing require different skill sets, with screenplays focusing on visual storytelling and dialogue, and novels providing deeper character insights and detailed world-building.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tory's mother is wrong because screenwriting and novel-writing involve different artistic aspirations and techniques. Screenwriting is specifically crafted for visual storytelling, involving collaboration with directors, actors, and other production members to bring the script to life through film. Unlike a novelist, a screenwriter relies heavily on dialogue and visual descriptions to convey the story, since there is less room for the internal thoughts and extensive world-building that novels often provide.

Novels, on the other hand, allow for a deeper dive into characters' internal monologues and detailed world-building that cannot be directly translated to the screen without adaptation. Novels are not restricted by the time constraints and practicalities of film production and can explore complex themes and narratives over a longer duration and broader scope. Therefore, the skill sets required for novel-writing and screenwriting are particular to their respective mediums, with shared elements but distinct challenges and conventions.