Part A
Use what you've learned about elements of fiction, characterization, and the structure of a three-act play to plan a play in
three short acts, meant to be enacted in less than half an hour. Your play should
feature at least two major characters,
the protagonist and the antagonist. Spend time sketching the characters of
your protagonist and antagonist, including
their traits and motives. Consider using other characters, such
as a foil to set off your main character.
Consider what kind of play you want to write: a tragedy, a comedy, or a tragicomedy. Build the play around a major
conflict that relates to the protagonist's weakness or motives
. Plan the structure of your play so that the first act
presents
the exposition and some of the rising action, the second
act the bulk of the rising action, and the third act the falling
action and the resolution of the conflict. Place the climax
of the play at the end of the second act or the beginning of
the
third act. Plan your plot as a series of key events. To keep
the length of your play manageable, avoid an excessively
complicated plot with a lot of twists and turns.
Think of a theme for your play. The theme is an idea that unifies the action in the play and refines a spectator's view of
the action in the play.
Plan the setting of the play, including its relation to the action. Consider if you wish to use the setting to create a mood or
atmosphere. If you wish to set your play in the
past or in a different country, research the time and place to include
realistic details and references in the directions
and dialogue. Mentally picture the scenes in your play and summarize
them in your notes. Your mental picture
will be useful when you write the stage directions for the play. If
possible,
think
of
objects that you can present on the stage
as symbolic clues to your major characters' qualities, thoughts
, or motives.
Use the table to organize your ideas for your play.