Symbol

What form does the symbol take?

And what does it stand for in the context of the story or world?

What abstract idea does the symbol represent?

And does its meaning evolve, grow, or gain layers of significance?

How would the story be different if the symbol were to be removed?

What would change?

How does the symbol reinforce the story’s theme?

How does its presence in the story underline or complicate the theme?

How do changes in the symbol’s meaning reflect the development of the theme?

E.g. does it gain significance, become corrupted, etc.?

What emotional impact do you want the symbol to have on the reader?

E.g. does it trigger emotions, memories, or actions that intensify the theme’s impact? How will you achieve this?

What is the first instance the symbol appears in the story?

Write it out.

What event or moment in the story triggers the symbol’s deeper importance or meaning?

How?

Will the symbol be used to foreshadow future events?

How, if so?

Is the symbol connected to certain characters?

How?

How do characters interact with or react to the symbol throughout the plot?

How might it reflect their character arcs?

How do the protagonist and antagonist relate to the symbol?

How does this relationship create tension or define their opposition?

How do the characters perceive the symbol when it’s first introduced?

How do their initial responses shape the audience’s first understanding of the symbol?