This document provides an overview of key concepts for writing a one-act play, including definitions of drama, plot elements, character types, and genres. It discusses that drama springs from life experiences and problems faced by people. When writing a play, the theme should emerge from the dramatic action rather than being imposed. Key elements of plot include the point of attack, exposition, conflict, climax and resolution. Advice is given to keep the play focused on a single dramatic action with few characters and settings.

1. The One-Act Seminar

2. DRAMA: Greek origin meaning “to do” or “to act”
All DRAMA springs from life:
People - Problems - Particular Time & Place

3. Writing a Play is an Art as well as a Craft

4. 1.Theme: The ability to say what the circumstances
allow and what is appropriate to them
(the central idea that emerges from the dramatic
action of the play)
THEME IS NEVER A MESSAGE OR A STATEMENT
IMPOSED UPON THE ACTION BY THE PLAYWRIGHT

5. 2.Plot: The arrangement (structure) of the incidents in
a story
WHO IS DOING WHAT TO WHOM WHERE, WHEN AND
WHY?

6. ELEMENTS OF PLOT
A. Point of Attack: The point of time in the play when
the dramatic action begins
B. Exposition: Incidents or events from the past or
happenings outside of the play of which the
audience must be aware of in order to
comprehend characters and plot

7. ELEMENTS OF PLOT
C. Preparation: The earlier “planting” of certain
information, so that a particular character or
scene will be believable
D. Conflict: An internal struggle within one person or
between two or more characters; THE HEART OF
THE PLOT

8. ELEMENTS OF PLOT
E. Complications: The introduction of a fact or
character already in the play that grows out of
the conflict and delays the climax
F. Crisis: The protagonist has to make a major decision
that is also a key turning point in the dramatic
action.

9. ELEMENTS OF PLOT
G. Dramatic Question or Problem: The suspense
question related to the fate of the central
character’s major goal.
H. Climax: The highest emotional peak in a play.

10. ELEMENTS OF PLOT
I. Resolution: The point after the climax, during which
any remaining questions are answered

11. 3. Characters: The agents of the incidents
A. Central Characters: These are characters
around whom the dramatic action revolves or
who have the dominant objective in the play
B. Opposing Characters: These are characters
who provide the basic obstacles by blocking the
central character’s objective
C. Contributing Characters: These are characters
who line up with other characters

12. 4. Music: Any music that may appear in the play
5. Dialogue: The diction of the play. Simply, it is what
the character says and how he or she says it, be it
street language, poetry or slang
6. Spectacle: The embellishments of a play. All the
visual elements: scenery, costumes, lighting,
movement, gestures, and other elements.

13. Aristotle’s Two Major Production Styles
STAGE AS A PICTURE
These are attempts to create a realistic picture or
illusion of life as though you were peeking through a
fourth wall
STAGE AS A PLATFORM
Presents life on stage rather than represents a picture.
State is a stage, no pretense of realism

14. A. 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
B. Drama: Themes are serious in nature; but unlike
tragedy, the central character in overcoming
obstacles does not die at the end of the play

15. C. Melodrama: Themes are exaggerated in their
seriousness; the central characters overcome villains
in sensational plots usually crowded with action and
conflict
D. Comedy: A humorous play with light or serious
themes whose central characters succeed in
overcoming all obstacles (High Comedy, Serious
Comedy, Satire, Farce, Situation Comedy & Low
Comedy)

16. E. Fantasy: A serious or humorous play in which
“unreal” characters with human traits overcome
obstacles in a land of make-believe
F. Allegory: A play serious or humorous, often written
in a poetic or fairy-tale style feature abstract
characters

17. DON’T GET TRAPPED BY DEFINITIONS OR TERMS - WRITE
YOUR PLAY AND LET OTHERS TELL YOU WHAT THEY
THINK IT IS.

18. G. One-Act: One Sitting - One Setting - One Sighting
• Should 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
• Should use only ONE set

19. 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 coalesce elements of
conflict, crisis, and suspense to heighten the
emotional response of the audience

20. PAST VS. PRESENT TENSE
The action of the play takes place in a “perpetual
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

21. 1. GET AN IDEA: Ideas come in two forms - Personal
Experience & Imagined Experience

22. 1. DON’T OVERLOAD THE INCIDENTS IN A PLOT
2. DON’T USE A NARRATOR OR CENTRAL
CHARACTER TO TELL EVENTS - WHEN THE EVENTS
CAN BE DRAMATIZED
3. DO NOT CRAM AN IDEA DOWN THE AUDIENCE’S
THROAT - YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A PHILOSOPHER
OR SAINT YOUR ONLY REQUIREMENT IS ART

23. 1. KEEP A JOURNAL FOR IDEAS & NOTES
2. WRITE A BUNCH AT ONE TIME
3. NOTHING IS TRULY ORIGINAL – DON’T STRESS
ABOUT COPYING OR FOLLOWING ANOTHER PLOT
4. PLOT OUT FIRST – THEN WRITE DIALOGUE
5. VOICE IT FOR PARTICULAR PEOPLE