creative writing_one act play lesson.pdf

Writing one act play

1. writing one-act
plays

2. Drama is a form of literature intended to be
performed before an audience.
One-Act Play - a short drama that takes place
in a single act, typically without intermission.
Purpose - To portray a snapshot of life, deliver
a powerful message, or develop character
quickly.
What is drama as a genre?

3. Plot - the sequence of events in the
story.
Setting - Where and when the story
takes place.
Character - the people involved in the
story.
Dialogue - the spoken words of the
characters, which drive the action.
Elements of Drama
elements

4. techniques &
literary devices

5. Refers to the shaping of a
text’s meaning by another
text. (e.g., references to
other plays or famous
works)
intertextuality

6. modality
The use of language to
express degrees of certainty,
possibility, obligation, or
necessity. (e.g., must, should,
could)

7. modeling from
playwrights
Study well-known local
playwrights like Nick Joaquin
or Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero
Study foreign playwrights like
Anton Checkhov or
Tennessee Williams
Examine how they use
structure, character, and
dialogue

8. intertextuality
To connect with audience knowledge and
deepen meaning.

9. conceptualizing a one-act play
Who is your main
character
Where is the play
set
what is the
central conflict
or goal

10. Staging modalities - are the ways a play
visually presented on stage.
Considerations - space, props and
costumes, blocking, lighting and sound
exploring staging modalities

11. Write a short scene (5-10 lines)
Set in a conflict-filled situation
(e.g., confession, farewell,
confrontation)
Include dialogue, one stage
direction, emotional tension
activity !