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How should you develop the plot of your play?

After introducing your play's characters and setting, it's time to turn your attention to the rising action. This part of your play must keep your audience engaged and wanting to know more. To maintain this sense of suspense, you'll need to avoid rushing through the action or dragging it out too much.

Before you draft the next section of your script—the rising action, click the images below to read some tips.

A group of multicultural friends. Use enter key to open full-screen view.
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Use the relationships among characters to show different sides of each character's personality.

A boy jumping over hurdles. Use enter key to open full-screen view.
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Make sure that each obstacle you include helps advance the plot and reveals more about a character.

A young boy and girl looking surprised. Use enter key to open full-screen view.
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There should be an element of surprise in every scene. Irony is a great source of surprise, whether you're using it to keep information from the characters or the audience.

Characters acting in a play. Use enter key to open full-screen view.
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Each scene should teach the audience something about the characters. Writers show character development through what characters say and how they say it.

Continue writing your play or screenplay. Use the suggestions above to write the rising action. Only write until you reach the play's climactic scene.