Literary Elements

ScriptDefinition: the written dialogue, description, and directions provided by the playwright

•Describe the setting of the play so that the crew can determine the setting, scenery, and props•Put the characters’ names in bold before their line of dialogue•Separate the characters’ names and dialogue with a colon•Put stage directions in parentheses

Storyline (Plot)Definition: The storyline or arrangement of action

•The main events of the story •Should be simple and easy to understand•Usually, the author or playwright base the plot on experiences that they have had

CharacterDefinition: a person portrayed in a drama, novel, or other artistic piece who is doing the action

•Should be one central character•Characters should be interesting and believable

Story OrganizationDefinition: how the story is told

•The beginning, middle, and end of the story

Setting

Definition: where the action of a play takes place

•Includes time and place•Affects how the story is told

Dialogue

Definition: the spoken conversation used by two or more characters to express thoughts, feelings, and actions

•Can explain the plot•Allows us to learn more about the characters and who they are

Monologue

Definition: a long speech made by one person

Conflict

Definition: the internal (inside a person) or external (between people) struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests

•Causes tension•The reader/audience wants the problem to be resolved