Video Essay Outline and Narrative Script
Build an argument with a story arc.
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[ADD SOURCE] [VERIFY] is an editorial flag, not a blank to fill. Wherever the prompt shows [VERIFY], check that item against a reliable source before you use it.
Plan a video essay. Topic and thesis: [TOPIC_AND_THESIS]. Audience: [AUDIENCE]. Length: [LENGTH]. Sources, clips, and evidence I have (with permissions and citations): [SOURCES_AND_EVIDENCE]. My tone: [TONE]. Return: 1. A thesis refinement: three versions of the central claim, from safe to bold, and which is supportable with my evidence. 2. A narrative structure: cold open (a scene or question), setup (context), complication (what makes the question hard), three argument beats, each with evidence, a counterargument and a rebuttal, then the turn (the insight), and the ending (what it changes for the viewer). 3. A beat sheet table: Time | Beat | Narration notes | Evidence or footage | Transition. 4. A full draft of the opening 90 seconds and the final 60 seconds. 5. A research and citation plan: every factual claim mapped to a source; mark unsupported claims [ADD SOURCE]; avoid misleading edits of quotations. 6. Rights and fair use cautions: licensed or original footage, music, and images; I should check the law in [JURISDICTION] and the platform rules [VERIFY]. 7. Pacing notes: where to vary tone and visuals, and where to cut. 8. Title and thumbnail concepts that match the content honestly. Do not invent quotes or facts; keep the argument fair to opposing views.
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