Compared to other forms of narrative, a script requires some serious planning. The characters’ words and actions will tell the story, but you can only write those details if you know where the story is headed and what should happen next. You need a clear understanding of your play’s plot, in other words, before you begin writing dialogue and stage directions.
You should have read several plays already if you are completing this course from start to finish. The lessons where those plays appeared as examples would have helped you understand how plays and screenplays use the elements of plot. Before sketching out the plot of your own script, use the activity below to review the purpose of each plot stage in developing a play’s story.
Most writers follow some sort of process when they write. Typically, the planning, drafting, and revising stages occur at different times. The planning stage is sometimes called prewriting—because the writer hasn’t begun writing just yet. During the prewriting stage, writers often identify the type and purpose of their work as well as generating ideas for characters, conflicts, and plot turns. They may also imagine the characters more fully and decide on each character’s motivation before they start writing.
With careful planning, you too can write a well-developed and effective script. Click the button below to access a prewriting worksheet that will help you plan your stage play or screenplay. Complete this worksheet before moving to the next page in this lesson.
