5.03 Playwriting for Dummies

Dialogue

Remember that dialogue is the conversation between two or more characters. A play can have more than one type of conversation; however, sometimes it is not between characters.

1. A monologue is a speech that one character speaks on stage.

2. An aside is a speech made to the audience that is out of range of the other characters on stage.

3. A soliloquy is a long speech that reveals a character's true thoughts or feelings. This is also unheard by other characters.

When writing dialogue in a play, follow the guidelines below.

• Characters' names should appear in all capital letters or in bold type.

• Text should be single spaced until the character who is speaking changes; then double space to signal the character change.

• Do not use quotation marks around character's speech in a script.

Open the Script Format template from the Playwrights' Center of San Francisco to see an example of a script and how to format text, characters' names, and dialogue correctly.

Read 9 Rules for Writing Dialogue to learn more.

 

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Characters

Creating characters is an artistic process that is very important in playwriting. Playwrights must create characters that appeal to the audience, convey a message, and capture the audience's attention. These characters must work to effectively dramatize the story because the action of the play is presented through such characters.

There are many different types of characters in drama. Let's review.

The term protagonist is from the Greek word protagonistes, which means one who plays the first part or chief actor. The protagonist is the main character, in conflict with the antagonist, the central figure with whom the audience is intended to identify, and is usually the good guy but can be the villain, too.

The antagonist in a work of drama is a character, group of characters, idea, or element of nature that represents the opposing force with which the protagonist must contend. The antagonist is in conflict with the protagonist.

Character Types

• Round characters are complex characters who represent more than one personality trait (usually both good and bad) and are capable of change and evolution throughout a story. Usually, these characters are more like real-life beings who display emotion and respond in different ways to different situations.

  For example, Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol would be a round character because he displays emotion in different situations, alters his personality, and is obviously capable of change.

• Flat characters are characters who are one-dimensional in that they only display one character trait and are not capable of or have no reason to change throughout the course of the story. These characters are not central to the story.

  For example, the wicked stepsisters from Cinderella or the grandmother in Little Red Riding Hood.

• Dynamic characters are similar to round characters because they experience some form of change throughout the course of a story. This change could be a change in behavior, thought, and / or personality. An example is King Midas and the Golden Touch where King Midas learns that most good things often come with a price.

• Static characters are similar to flat characters because they are usually minor characters, do not play a central role in a work of literature, and do not experience any form of change throughout the story.

• Stereotypical characters are also called stock characters. These characters are usually the same in every play, for example the villain, wise elder, honorable hero, clever servant, village fool, mad scientist, or good-hearted heroine.

Not all characters must be human. In drama, some characters may be animals or abstract ideas, such as "Honesty," "Loneliness," "Isolation," or "Truth." Character traits can be determined through character names, dialogue, action, and other characters' thoughts, reactions, and responses toward a character.

 

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Characterization

The term characterization refers to the techniques and methods that an author or playwright uses to allow the readers or audience to get to know the characters. Just like in real life, there are many different ways that you can get to know a person.

Readers and audience members can get to know a character through

• appearance - what the character looks like;

• dialogue - what the character says and how he or she says it;

• thoughts and feelings - the emotions the character feels toward a subject;

• actions and behavior - what the characters does and how he or she does it; and

• other characters' thoughts, feelings, reactions, and responses to the particular character.

Other characters provide insight to a particular character. However, if a character always has something negative to say about everyone, then that person isn't a reliable source.

The process of becoming a character for a dramatic production is a process that takes quite a bit of thought. Characters can be complex beings, just as real people are; however, unlike real people, characters are only able to communicate their wants, desires, and needs through voice and actions. Real people have inner thoughts and feelings, but characters onstage must speak their thoughts and feelings aloud and use action (behavior, responses, facial expressions, and gestures) to indicate inner character.

When creating an original character as a playwright or as an actor, one of the most important qualities is the ability to observe other people and watch their responses, reactions, and interactions with other people. Once you begin to notice and observe people's mannerisms and responses in various situations, then you will be able to create realistic characters. When creating characters, not only should you think about their appearance, such as clothing, hair styles, age, but also their posture and stance, the way they move, and the pitch of their voice.

Remember, the actions show the audience what it needs to know and the dialogue supports the actions.

 

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