Download How To Write a Play

Differences Between Plays & Short Stories
Short Story
Play
The One-Act Lesson
DRAMA: Greek origin meaning “to do” or “to act”
The Greek scientist and philosopher Aristotle (384-322
BCE) divided “poetry” or plays into six main parts as
outlined in his Poetics. These parts are still useful
today for understanding and writing plays:
1) Plot
2) Character
3) Theme
4) Dialogue
5) Music
6) Spectacle
1. Plot:
“The arrangement of events or the selection and
order of scenes in a play.”
Elements of a Plot:
A) Exposition/Intro
B) Conflict
C) Climax
D) Resolution
Types of Plots
A) Climactic: Usually a simple linear structure where biggest
action occurs at the climax, setting is often restricted to
one location and characters are limited.
B) Episodic: Often several short, fragmented scenes with many
threads of action and parallel sub-plots. There are many
characters and the setting shifts to many different places.
2. Character
“The agents of the incidents.”
Types of Characters
A) Protagonist
B) Antagonist
C) Confidante
E) Non-human characters
F) Narrator/Chorus
3. Theme
The central idea or meaning of the play which the
playwright (a person who writes plays) is trying to get
at.
4. Dialogue
Language is one of the most important parts of a
play. Since a play is led by its dialogue, that
dialogue must be able to:
1) Move the plot along
2) Reveal Characters
3) Describe Characters
4) Direct attention
5) Reveal themes
6) Establish mood/tone
Types of Dialogue
Conventional Dialogue is conversation between two or more characters.
Monologue is a lengthy speech that one character addresses on stage, where other
characters may or may not be able to hear. The character often describes an action that
he is going to take.
Asides are speeches, often short, made to the audience or even to another
character, but out of earshot of some characters on stage.
Soliloquy is a long speech that reveals a character’s true thoughts or feelings, heard only by
the audience.
*Stage directions are the instructions for performing a play and the descriptions of settings,
characters, and actions. Helps the reader visualize the play.
Examples of Dialogue
5. Music/Song
Songs in a play help establish mood, describe
characters and/or provide variety and pleasure
for the audience.
6. Spectacle
These are the accompaniments or extra frills of a
play. Today, we refer to them as visual elements:
1) Scenery
2) Costumes
3) Lighting
4) Movement
5) Gestures
Tragedy: Themes are serious in depth and worthiness; the central
character (hero) struggles to overcome overpowering obstacles, but
instead is overcome by them, resulting in death.
Drama: Themes are serious in nature; but unlike tragedy, the central
character, in overcoming obstacles, does not die at the end of the
play.
Comedy: A humorous play with light or serious themes whose central
characters succeed in overcoming all obstacle.
Fantasy: A serious or humorous play in which “unreal” characters with
human traits overcome obstacles in a land of make-believe.
One-Act Plays: A play that impress upon its audience one basic idea
or theme explored as fully as possible within a short time span.
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Should have only ONE single dramatic action
Should have only a FEW characters
Should NOT contain long “talky” speeches – monologues, soliloquies, etc.
Should use only ONE setting
GET AN IDEA: Ideas come in two forms - Personal Experience &
Imagined Experience
KEEP A JOURNAL FOR IDEAS & NOTES.
SHARE IDEA WITH CLASSMATES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO SEE IF IT
MAKES SENSE TO THEM.
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT YOUR THEME OR THE POINT OF THE PLAY TO
BE BEFORE YOU WRITE IT.
CREATE PLOT FIRST – THEN WRITE DIALOGUE.
SHOW VS. TELL
The essential difference is that a story TELLS what took
place, while a play SHOWS what is actually taking place
(The stage shows what we see in our minds on the page)
DRAMATIC CLOCK
On the stage there is a built in urgency, a “dramatic
clock” of sorts, which helps to merge elements of conflict,
crisis, and suspense to heighten the emotional response of
the audience
PAST VS. PRESENT TENSE
The action of the play takes place in a “present
time.” On the stage it is always “now.”
UNITY OF ACTION, TIME AND PLACE
The incidents of the play occur in a unifying way that
will make sense to an audience member.
DON’T OVERLOAD THE INCIDENTS IN A PLOT
DON’T USE A NARRATOR OR CENTRAL CHARACTER TO
TELL EVENTS - WHEN THE EVENTS CAN BE ACTED OUT
DO NOT CRAM AN IDEA DOWN THE AUDIENCE’S
THROAT - YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A PHILOSOPHER OR
PREACHER