1. The Playwright and the Play
Chapter 6

2. Creating the World of the Play
The playwright creates the template:
The subject (people) and verb (action) of the drama
Purpose of play
Entertain
Raise timeless questions
Make a political or social comment
Sets the tone, the agenda and the approach
Based on
History, biography, autobiography or imaginary story resembling everyday life or based on a fantasy or a nightmare

3. Creating the World of the Play
The playwright creates the template:
Chooses the focus of the play
A character
A character trait
Mood of a group of people emphasized by outside forces
The human senses
Other aspects of life
Chooses the order of events
Chooses the conflict that springboards action by characters

4. Structural Conventions: The Rules of the Game
Limited Space
The play is confined to a world of its own
Limited Time
Length of performance
Timespan inside the play
Strongly Opposed Forces
Antagonist(s) opposes the protagonist(s)
Create friction or tension
A Balance of Forces
An imbalance of forces does not make for good drama
Incentive and Motivation
Characters strive for a desired outcome
Space in sports could be the playing field
Time in sports could be the time limitations as in basketball
Opposing forces in sports are the two teams
A balance in sports is where both teams have a good chance to win
Incentive is sports is to win the game

5. Structural Conventions: The Creating Structure
Plot vs. Story
The Plot is based on a story which designs the arrangement of events and characters from the story. Particular incidents are selected and arranged for maximum dramatic impact.
The Story is a full narrative account of what people do in a chronological order of events. It may take the form of a novel, short story, or other medium.

6. Structural Conventions: The Creating Structure
The Opening Scene
Its purpose is to start the action and set the tone and style for everything that follows.
It poses a problem to be solved
Establishes an imbalance of forces or a disturbance in their equilibrium that compels them to respond

7. Structural Conventions: The Creating Structure
Obstacles and Complications
Characters move through alternating experiences of achievement and defeat through the use of obstacles and complications.
Obstacles- That which delays or prevents the achieving of a goal by a character. An obstacle creates complication and conflict.
Complications- Introduction in a play of a new force which creates a new balance of power and entails a delay in reaching the climax.

8. Structural Conventions: The Creating Structure
Crisis and Climax
A play usually builds from one crisis to another.
Crises- A point in a play when events and opposing forces are at a crucial moment, and when the course of further action will be determined. There may be a series of crises leading to the definitive climax.
Climax- The high point in the development of a dramatic plot. The scene toward the end of a drama in which all the forces reach their highest pitch and the fate of all the characters is determined.

9. Structural Conventions: Point of View
Structure, Character Portrayal and Point of View
Tragic or comic
Humorous or sad
Mixture of the two
The optimist vs. the pessimist point of view
of the action of the play
The artist makes it clear of his/her point of view. It is direct and deliberate.