Writing Intelligence.
Everybody has that character, sometimes they’re good problem solvers, other times they’re omniscient, but everyone has the smart one.
The main two types of intelligence is Knowledge vs Speed. You can figure out which a character is by asking this question: When they have their “smart” moments, would an average person know what the hell they’re talking about? If yes, they’re fast, if not, they’re knowledgeable.
A knowledgeable person will be:
An expert in their field.Possessing of heavenly/otherworldly knowledge.Know how to do whatever the plot requires.The one with seven PHDsThink:
Up above are fabulous characters, when they’re having a “smart moment” they spout rapid fire space/medical jargon to emphasise just how smart they are. No one can fully understand their thought process, (and everyone who can is getting offended because TV is ridiculously inaccurate).
A quick person will be:
A rapid problem solver.
The fastest learner in the history of learning.Able to come to conclusions anyone with common sense could come to, just in a millisecond.The world champion of brain teaser games and riddles.Think:
Now you may say the characters up above do have specialised knowledge, rightly so. But more often than not they’re basing their smartness on stuff the audience has already seen. This makes the audience feel stupid when they explain their reasoning, while also being more in awe at how fast they’ve figured it out.
Think of this Sherlock deduction: “The wedding ring, ten years old at least. The rest of her jewellery has been regularly cleaned, but not her wedding ring - state of her marriage, right there.” No sciencey words, no mention of Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, a logically sound deduction that the audience can understand.
Many people mention their fast characters as knowledgeable, sure, Sherlock is an expert chemist, but the majority of his deductions use common sense. And sure, House is sharp and quick-witted, but the majority of his deductions are based on his extensive medical knowledge.
It’s all about how you want to portray your character, child prodigies have no knowledge other than common sense to work with. While an immortal time traveller’s knowledge of who built the pyramids, and quantum mechanics enhance their awesomeness.
