The Art Of The Reveal
Finding the subtext in your story
People communicate in many different ways. Sometimes, the words we say or write are just the tip of the iceberg of what we're trying to convey. The underlying message or meaning behind the words we use is subtext. We convey subtext through tone of voice, body language, or even the context in which we deliver a message.
Find the Subtext in Your Story
Incorporating subtext into a piece of writing, whether it's a novel, serial, or television script—can help you create a multi-layered narrative that your audience will appreciate.
Find examples of subtext in the stories you read and movies or TV shows you watch. Then study how the writers use it.
Ask: What are the characters not saying?
What information lives in the space between the facts, and how much of that information is crucial to the overall story? As a writer, you can seek new iterations of subtext in pop culture to refer to as you work on your material.