How to Learn the Art of Playwrighting

Playwrighting is an ancient fine art that requires skill and creativity. Understanding the elements of a good play is essential to developing this craft. Below are some tips and information on how to learn this art form.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Remember the Three C’ s: Conflict, Characters, and Conversation.

2. Conflict, Conflict, Conflict. Most drama teachers will tell you that you can never have enough conflict. The more conflict, the better the play will be. Some examples of conflict include domestic issues (divorce, spousal abuse, death of a family member, sibling rivalry, etc.), societal issues (racism, political views, work place conflict, etc.), and religious issues (Catholicism vs.. Protestantism, Christianity vs.. atheism, Christianity vs.. Islam, etc.).

3. Character development. Characters must be interesting and believable. Be consistent with your characters. Example: if a character starts out as a peacemaker, they shouldn’t become a trouble maker later in the play.

4. Conversation. Dialogue is the most important part of a play. When the dialogue is engaging, the audience will respond. The character should be able to convey what is happening by their dialogue. Avoid too much stage direction. Let the audience figure out what is happening by the characters’ dialogue.

5. Setting. Research is essential when writing a historical play or when you are unfamiliar with the subject of the play. The writer should be familiar with cultural customs and dialects that he/she intends to base the play on. Example: When writing a play that is based in the slums of London, the writer should incorporate the Cockney dialect into dialogue in order for the setting to be convincing.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to watch and read other plays, especially those that are in the same genre that you want to write in.
• Read your play out loud as you are writing to make sure the dialogue works. Let others read character parts that you are writing in order to hear what the audience will hear.
• Avoid using words that you wouldn’t use in normal conversation. Example: When a character addresses their spouse, they normally don’t call them by their first name. Instead, they would use a term of endearment, unless the character is upset with their spouse. Then it might be appropriate.

Resources

• plays

[goosemuffin]

on 10/1/2009 Very interesting article, I enjoyed it very much. Thanks and 5* for you!

[roseanne09]

on 10/1/2009 Excellent steps to learning the art of playwrighting. 5*