Playwriting Basics and Key Terms

What is the primary purpose of the protagonist in a play?

• To create obstacles

• To drive the story forward

• To provide comic relief

• To serve as a narrator

What is the term for the central struggle or problem in a play?

• Dialogue

• Conflict

• Climax

• Resolution

Which of the following describes subtext?

• The lines spoken directly by characters

• The underlying meaning of dialogue or actions

• The stage directions in a script

• The backstory of the characters

What is the climax of a play?

• The introduction of the setting and characters

• The turning point or moment of greatest tension

• The resolution of the conflict

• The first major event in the story

What are stage directions?

• The actor's lines

• Instructions for technical crew only

• Descriptions of actions, movement, and settings in the script

• The director's commentary

Which term refers to the background information provided about characters or events?

• Dialogue

• Exposition

• Subtext

• Monologue

What is a monologue?

• A conversation between two or more characters

• A solo speech by a character expressing thoughts or emotions

• A series of quick, short lines of dialogue

• A detailed explanation of the play's theme

What is the difference between a script and a play?

• A script is the written text; a play is the performance

• A script includes the actors; a play does not

• A script is acted out, while a play is only read

• A script is for movies, and a play is for the stage

What is the resolution in a play?

• The setup of the initial conflict

• The moment the conflict reaches its peak

• The conclusion where loose ends are tied up

• The introduction of new characters

Which term describes the overall message or insight of a play?

• Subtext

• Exposition

• Theme

• Resolution