Aristotle’s Algorithm for Writers and Screenwriters: A Graphical Visualization of the Secrets of Poetics. Story-Building Mode for Storytellers and Plot Designers with an Example of How to Use It Paperback – December 23, 2025

This publication is a comprehensive treatment of Aristotle's Poetics. This means it covers both:the COGNITIVE perspective, presenting all the guidelines of the Poetics, andthe CREATIVE approach, showing HOW to implement them:HOW to build a structure: where to begin and HOW to expand itHOW to create episodes and HOW to make them connect to the wholeHOW to create charactersHOW to build ‘breakthroughs’HOW to use ‘recognitions’...etc...Assuming that any 'skill' is simply knowledge of a specific work methodology, I decided to seek it out in Aristotle's guidelines.I called this methodology an ALGORITHM because, by analyzing the key insights from Poetics, we are able to construct a kind of STORY MATRIX (which can be represented graphically). This matrix – being a fixed and unchanging foundation – provides the backdrop for the changing elements of the story, and thus for the ARRANGEMENT OF EVENTS. By simply ensuring that the events we describe are held together by a simple framework of connections, we can create the perfect story.Why?Because the Algorithm allows us to control all the characteristics of a good story, as identified by Aristotle, during creative work. We should constantly maintain:the story's uniquenessthe overall story outlinethe proper story-building mode (connection to the whole)the proper plot order (probability or necessity)the hierarchy of episode importance (subordination to key episodes)‘breakthroughs’ (changes in the protagonist's happiness levels)‘recognition statuses’ of the protagonist and the audience identified with themAristotle's Algorithm is a 'pure' methodology for storytelling – accessible only from the meta-level, and therefore only to the creator. From the creator's perspective, it is therefore a simple set of non-content-related guidelines concerning only the METHOD of storytelling. This method – according to Aristotle – provides the creator with the maximum chance of achieving their primary GOAL: to evoke emotions in the audience.So, the actual subject matter and content of our novel or screenplay is completely separate from the way we construct their plots, just as the taste of any dish has nothing to do with the method of its preparation. However, it must be admitted that true artistry and professionalism (whether of a chef or a storyteller) lies precisely in their knowledge of HOW to prepare or create something. This knowledge certainly doesn't diminish the creator's talent.* *If you take storytelling seriously, you should heed Aristotle's advice.He's probably... never wrong. Read more