The Play and its Dramatic Structure
A play tells a story through dialogue and action that use specific structures and devices. A central conflict usually drives the story. Groups of dialogue or episodes are called scenes. Scenes are used to show when time or place change. Large shifts in time or place are marked by acts, which are usually composed of several scenes.
Classic Five Act Dramatic Structure
Dramatic structure refers to the plot structure of a play and other dramatic works. A drama can be divided into three basic parts: a beginning, middle, and an end. German dramatist and novelist, Gustav Freytag is well known for his extensive analysis of the ancient Greek and Shakespearean drama.
According to Freytag, a drama can be divided into five parts, or acts:
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax, or turning point
4. Falling action; and
5. Denouement or catastrophe (i.e., the resolution)
A play tells a story through dialogue and action that use specific structures and devices. A central conflict usually drives the story. Groups of dialogue or episodes are called scenes. Scenes are used to show when time or place change. Large shifts in time or place are marked by acts, which are usually composed of several scenes.
Classic Five Act Dramatic Structure
Dramatic structure refers to the plot structure of a play and other dramatic works. A drama can be divided into three basic parts: a beginning, middle, and an end. German dramatist and novelist, Gustav Freytag is well known for his extensive analysis of the ancient Greek and Shakespearean drama.
According to Freytag, a drama can be divided into five parts, or acts:
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax, or turning point
4. Falling action; and
5. Denouement or catastrophe (i.e., the resolution)
