Writing a Play “When playwrights begin to work, they must explore a theme, discover a plot, choose a central action that illuminates the theme, select diction appropriate to the time and the style of language desired, and use sound, music, scenery, and spectacle that will bring the play a vibrant life of its own.”

Aristotle’s Elements Thought – the central theme, usually embodies a truth about life Plot – the story Action – pivotal dramatic moment, a decision made and enacted by the protagonist Diction– the language (style, dialect, rhythm, and colloquialisms) Sound – everything heard (words, sound effects, and music) Spectacle – everything seen (scenery, dance, pantomime, and other physical elements)

Play Plot Events 1.The setting (who, where, why, what) 2.The audience knows where the plot is going – the forces clearly ally themselves and a conflict is set 3.The protagonist plots to overcome the forces against them 4.Seems like nothing could get worse for the protagonist 5.Protagonist makes a decision that will result in victory or eradicate the conflict 6.Winding down of story, clear result of the protagonist’s choice Exposition Inciting Incident Rising Action Crisis Climax Resolution

Order the Plot Events Climax Exposition Resolution Rising Action Crisis Inciting Incident

Script Formatting Scene Directions – start the play; provide basics of when and where Stage Directions – describe what happens on stage during a scene (character movements, lights changes, entrances, exits, etc.) Character Stage Directions – relate specifically to the character; brief and under the character tag

ACT ONE SCENE 1 Stage directions are usually given in italics. Some writers put them in UPPER CASE ITALICS. OTHERS JUST PUT THEM IN UPPER CASE. The main idea is to differentiate them clearly from the dialogue. CHARACTER 1 Dialogue is written in sentence case. Character names are given in upper case. CHARACTER 2 It’s a good idea to set a second-line tab so that dialogue always begins on the same vertical line. This makes it clearer and easier for actors to read. CHARACTER 1 Dialogue is usually double-spaced between each character’s speech, but single-spaced within a character’s speech. This again makes it easier for the actors to differentiate between characters. Script Formatting Example

Pause CHARACTER 2 If you need to write in a pause, it should go in italics or upper case, the same as other stage directions. CHARACTER 2 Left align everything. Don’t right hand justify the document. CHARACTER 1 Use a font like Times New Roman or Arial. Fonts like Courier New and Arial Narrow are hard to read, and fancy fonts are just a nuisance. CHARACTER 1 (to herself) Brief stage directions that specifically apply to one character can be put in the dialogue like this. Script Formatting Example Continued

Identify Script Components ACT ONE SCENE 1 Stoke Place at Stoke Moran. A large, oak-lined, gloomy hall, with everything in disrepair. At the back, centre, is a big double door which leads into the morning- room. To its right, but also facing the audience, is another door which leads to the outside entrance hall. A little down, right, is the door to DR. RYLOTT’S study. RODGERS: Don’t cry, my dear young lady. You’re so good and kind to others that it just goes to my heart to see such trouble to you. Things will all change for the better now. ENID: Thank you, Rodgers, you are very kind. RODGERS: Life can’t be all trouble, Miss Enid. There must surely be some sunshine somewhere, though I’ve waited a weary time for it. ENID: Poor old Rodgers! RODGERS: Yes, it used to be poor young Rodgers, and now it’s poor old Rodgers; and there’s the story of my life. (Enter ALI, an Indian servant, from the servants’ hall.)