The document outlines the definition and elements of a one-act play, emphasizing its brevity and focused narrative. Key elements include theme, plot, conflict, character, dialogue, and setting, all of which contribute to the overall structure and effectiveness of the play. The structure follows a typical dramatic arc, with exposition, inciting force, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement.

1. ONE-ACT PLAY AND
ITS ELEMENTS

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Define one-act play using their own
words;
2. Enumerate the elements of one-act
play; and
3. Create one-act play script applying
its elements .

3. ONE-ACT PLAY
• is similar to a short story in its limitations.There is a
complete drama within an act. It is brief, condensed,
and single in effect. One situation or episode is
presented, permitting no minor plots or side action
that may distract attention for the single purpose and
effect being developed. Characters are few in
number, quickly introduced, and very limited in
character development. Dialogue and plot must carry
the action forward smoothly and quickly.

4. Plays are divided into scenes to
separate the play into manageable
sections for audiences to absorb and
facilitate setting, character, costume,
and set changes. The playwright or the
writer of the play uses scenes to control
the narrative flow, and tension, develop
character and conflict and enhance

5. •Scene – is a small part of an act
which means there are many
different scenes in an act. Different
scenes may involve different actors.
•Act – A division within a play, much
like the chapters in a novel.

6. ELEMENTS OF ONE-ACT PLAY
One act plays are made up of the
same elements that are necessary
for short stories such as theme,
plot, character, dialogue, and
setting.

7. ELEMENTS OF ONE-ACT PLAY
1. Theme – The one-act play needs to have a
theme or thought just as a full-length does.What is
the play about? Revenge? Self-discovery? Whatever
your choice, it needs to be clear in your mind what
your theme is. In a full length play, all characters,
plots and subplots need to point to and support the
theme.The one-act is not much different, except the
subplots will likely be absent.

8. ELEMENTS OF ONE-ACT PLAY
2. Plot – This is much different in the one-act than in full
length. For a full-length play, the plot is the series and sequence
of events that lead the hero (and the audience) on the journey. In
a one-act play there is really only time for one significant event.
This is the determining place for the hero, where all is won or
lost. Events that lead up to this must be incorporated into the
script without the benefit of the audience seeing them. And any
events that follow must be inferred or understood by the
audience that they will occur.

9. ELEMENTS OF ONE-ACT PLAY
3. Conflict- Drama is created by conflict. It
usually involves opposing forces, sometimes
external and physical, sometimes internal and
psychological. There may be a clash of wills in a
conflict of purposes, or there may be a mental or
emotional conflict within one person.

10. ELEMENTS OF ONE-ACT PLAY
4. Character- There is limited time to get to know
one character well – the hero. Characters must be
strongly drawn, consistent, and believable. Sudden
changes in character, inappropriate gestures, wrong
dialogue, mistimed facial expressions or smiles
when the mood is sad or hostile must be avoided if
the play is to be consistent in its portrayal and
effective emotionally and intellectually for the
audience.

11. ELEMENTS OF ONE-ACT PLAY
Some characteristics of the supporting characters,
including the antagonist, will need to be portrayed for
the story to move forward, but it is the character of the
protagonist that is vital to the story line.

12. ELEMENTS OF ONE-ACT PLAY
5. Dialogue – Each line must be crafted carefully to
focus on the theme, the incident, and the character
of the protagonist. The dialogue must need not to be
terse, but must be concise and full of meaning. Any
lines that do not point to the focus of the play should
be carefully considered whether they are needed.
Yes, economy is the key here.

13. ELEMENTS OF ONE-ACT PLAY
6. Setting – The setting of a drama presented on stage must be
adapted to the limitations of the stage area. The playwright must
confine his locations to scenes that can be constructed on the
stage and limited to as few changes as possible. The actions
must be physically restricted on the stage, and depend on
dialogue, lighting, and sound effects to carry the actions and
events that cannot be presented visually. It is the physical
confinement that makes writing plays more difficult than any
other narrative form. Meanwhile, costumes, lighting, and props
are also among the elements to which modern plays pay close
attention.

14. Structure of the Play

15. Structure of the Play
The technical development or structuring of the action in a
drama is similar to that of a novel:
1. A preliminary exposition opens up the play presenting
background information and any necessary explanation of
the situation. It introduces the characters.

17. Structure of the Play
2.The moment of inciting force – follows the preliminary
exposition in which the conflict is presented, and the main
action begins.

18. Structure of the Play
3.The rising action then develops through a series of
incidents and minor crises which lead up to the climax or
the turning point of the struggle when the action turns
against the protagonist.

19. Structure of the Play
4.The falling action follows the climax as the conflict works
itself out either for or against the protagonist.

20. Structure of the Play
5.The denouement presents the final outcomes of the
struggle, sometimes referred to as the catastrophe which is
the end of the struggle, but it is necessarily a tragic ending.