Differences Between Plays & Short Stories

1. Differences Between Plays & Short Stories Short StoryPlay

2. How To Write a Play The One-Act Lesson

3. Aristotle’s Parts of a Play 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: Plot 4) Dialogue Character 5) Music Theme 6) Spectacle All DRAMA springs from life: People - Problems - Particular Time & Place

4. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” 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

5. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” 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.

6. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” 2. Character “The agents of the incidents.” Types of Characters A) Protagonist E) Non-human characters B) Antagonist F) Narrator/Chorus C) Confidante

7. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” 3. Theme The central idea or meaning of the play which the playwright (a person who writes plays) is trying to get at.

8. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” 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

9. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” 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.

10. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” Examples of Dialogue

11. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” 5. Music/Song Songs in a play help establish mood, describe characters and/or provide variety and pleasure for the audience.

12. Aristotle’s “Parts of a Play” 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

13. TYPES OF PLAYS 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.

14. TYPES OF PLAYS 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. 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

15. HOW TO GET STARTED 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.

16. HOW TO WRITE A ONE-ACT 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

17. HOW TO WRITE A ONE-ACT 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.

18. COMMON MISTAKES 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