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The Big Question

What's the Most Important Element of a Good Story?

Jul 24, 2014 | 28 videos
Video by The Atlantic

At this year's Aspen Ideas Festival, we asked a group of writers, journalists, and producers to explain what makes a story great. According to House of Cards showrunner Beau Willimon, the answer is a simple one: "The most important element in a good story is conflict. It's seeing two opposing forces collide with one another." Other panelists include Michael Eisner, Catherine Burns, Jay Allison, Jon Lovett, Yoni Bloch, Paula Kerger, and Jonathan Harris.

The Big Question is a series inspired by The Atlantic's back-page feature.

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Authors: Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg, Sam Price-Waldman, Nadine Ajaka

About This Series

Ideas and insights from leaders at the Aspen Ideas Festival