TELOS STORY
ARISTOTELIAN STORY ANALYSIS
We don’t just read your script.
We diagnose it.
Most coverage tells you what isn’t working. We tell you why.
The first objective diagnostic system for story. Built on Aristotle's philosophy. Executed with AI precision.
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The Problem With Coverage
You've gotten the notes before. "The protagonist feels flat." "The second act drags." "I didn't connect."This is symptom-spotting. It tells you what went wrong, but not why. You're left guessing at the mechanics of the failure—rewriting blind, hoping the next draft lands.The problem isn't the reader's effort. It's the method. Most coverage—human or AI—lacks a diagnostic framework. It can register that something is off. It can't explain the structural reason.
When is a story true?
A story is true when it accurately imitates human action within a coherent narrative structure. This is not our definition, but the definition given by perhaps the greatest philosopher to have ever lived: Aristotle.Telos is a diagnostic system grounded in Aristotle's philosophy, fusing his virtue ethics (the mechanics of character) with his poetics (the mechanics of story). It applies 2,400 years of time-tested principles to understand human action and narrative logic.Rather than asking if your script looks like other scripts, we ask: Is this character coherent? Do their beliefs, desires, and capabilities align? Do they behave like a human being? Do they change like a human being? And does that change drive a coherent story?
"A character can break every convention and still feel undeniably true. A story can ignore every formula and still hold together perfectly."
TRADITIONAL AITraditional AI coverage asks the machine to figure out what works. It analyzes thousands of screenplays, identifies patterns, and codifies them into rules. You get feedback, but no one—not even the machine—can tell you why.The AI is a black box.
TELOSWith Telos, we input the expertise—the philosophical principles of character and narrative coherence that explain why—and the AI applies those principles to your script.The AI is the instrument. The expertise is human.
From Symptoms to Root Causes
We replace vague impressions with structural proof.
| WHAT YOU HEAR | WHAT TELOS TELLS YOU |
|---|---|
| "The protagonist feels flat." | The character defends their flaw as a strength, but the story frames it as a problem. This mismatch means the audience expects transformation while the structure supports tragedy. |
| "The ending didn't land." | The protagonist defeats a superior opponent without a credible bridge—the victory feels unearned because established capabilities were ignored. |
| "I didn't connect with them." | The character is grieving a loss rather than confronting a flaw. We're watching them suffer, not grow. |
Choose Your Diagnosis
$125
*as fast as same day
The Verdict
Is your script working? Get a clear answer with professional ratings, a concise diagnosis, and one Diagnostic Insight that shows you the difference between symptom and root cause.
Includes:
+Ratings Grid + Recommendation
+Strengths & Concerns
+Diagnosis (What's Working / What Needs Work)
+One Diagnostic Insight (symptom → root cause)
+Comparable Titles + Bottom Line
Best for: Writers who need a quality check before submission.
$425
*as fast as same day
The Deep Dive
Why isn't it working, and how do you fix it? Get the complete diagnostic breakdown with dimensional analysis, full root cause mapping, and prioritized revision pathways.
Everything in Standard, plus:
+Diagnostic Summary (beliefs, desires, capabilities)
+Character Classification + Arc Assessment
+Structural Synopsis (plot mapped to arc)
+Full Root Cause Analysis (5-8 items)
+Revision Pathways with structural options
Best for: Writers in active revision who need actionable diagnosis.
*Actual turnaround depends on current queue. You'll receive an estimated delivery date when you order. Both products use the same rigorous verification protocol. The difference is depth, not accuracy. Standard clients can upgrade to Full Diagnosis for the difference in price.
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See the Diagnosis in Action
We don't deal in vague impressions. We deal in structural proof. See how the Telos framework diagnoses character and story.
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What Writers Are Saying
“Telos provided an incredible analysis and synthesis of a complex story and plot. It helped us see our own project with greater clarity and even pitched us back a better logline than we were already using. The ability to tell us where ideas are clear and where they need further development was most insightful. And not only did it identify areas for improvement, but it made great revision suggestions as well."— Kyle Smithers, Film Producer | MFA, USC Film Production
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“I've used all the major script coverage services over the course of my career, and Telos is right up there with the best of them. Their analysis was fast, thoughtful, and grounded in the kind of Aristotelian story theory I love. I found it immensely helpful and would encourage any writer looking for smart, honest feedback to check them out."— Morgan, MFA in Screenwriting, NYU | Script Pipeline Contest Winner | Story Editor, Paw Patrol
Make the implicit explicit.
Stop guessing. Start diagnosing.
Questions welcome.If you're ready for a diagnosis, include:+Your script (Google Drive or Dropbox link)
+Your preference: Standard ($125) or Full ($425) Diagnosis
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