Dramatic Structure Steps to the well made play

Dramatic Structure Steps to the well made play

Exposition / Prologue • Information that sets the scene. • We meet characters and become familiar with what has happened up to the beginning of the play. • We are introduced to the plot. • Events that give background information about the characters

Point of Attack / Inciting Incident • The conflict or problem of the play is introduced at the point of attack. • The protagonist takes their first action against the conflict at the inciting incident. • The first event that suggests there will be a change in the atmosphere

Rising Action/Complication • The protagonist tries to find ways to solve or end the conflict (discovery), but the conflict continues due to another obstacle (reversal). • The antagonist may set up blocks which prevent the conflict from being solved. • Additional events in the play, where complications take place

Crisis / Climax • The moment in the play when the conflict is addressed. • The protagonist either succeeds or fails but the conflict is ended. • All moments of the play lead up to this point. • Often it is the point of the most tension for the audience. • The highest point of emotional intensity

Falling Action or Denouement • The moments after the climax of the play where the plot resolved itself. • Loose ends are tied up and the storylines other than the main plot are ended. • Brief events after the climax

Conclusion / Epilogue • The play ends. We are left with some information on what may have happened next “They lived happily forever” or “Dad went on to become president of his company. ”

The Brave Little Tailor