Writing a Play
In some ways, writing a play is similar to short story writing; however, you will find there are
various differences as well. Below are tips and steps to follow when writing your script:
1. Brainstorm a Plan
 A play should not be about a character, a situation or a theme. It should be about all
three. Great plays are all encompassing and include all those elements. The important
thing for the author is to write about is what is important to him/her. If a writer isn’t
moved by his/her own story then no one else will be.
2. Plotting the Plot
 The first act is the exposition, the second act is the complication, and the final act is
the resolution. Your play must have a beginning, middle, and end. The conflict should
build as the play progresses. Make sure there is a good reason, an "event," for your
play. It's not enough for two characters to sit around and talk for a while and then
leave. There needs to be some important reason why we're watching them now, at this
particular moment.
3. Developing Characters
 Put characters in conflict wit other characters. Write characters who want something
and try to get what they want at every moment. This could be an object or something
intangible like an apology or comfort.
 Make sure that each character has something at stake—a consequence— if he/she
doesn't get what he/she wants.
 Create a "ticking clock" putting the characters under pressure to get what they want
right away.
3. Writing Dialogue and Stage Directions
 Make each character speak in a distinctive voice. If you have trouble with that, try
imagining a specific actor you know - even if it's someone who will never play the part in the role.
 Do not have a character tell us something she can show us instead. For example, it's
much more effective to hide under the bed than to say "I'm afraid."
 Give each character a "moment," something that justifies the character's existence in
your play and that makes him/her attractive for an actor to play.
 Character name (who is speaking) should be written in capital letters followed by a
period or colon. The dialogue should follow the name single-spaced.
 Stage directions always follow and precede a blank line, and are either inserted single
spaced within dialogue or on their own between brackets. Your stage directions are
just as important as your dialogue. Remember that your reader will read them first, so
make them concise and as readable as possible— perhaps even entertaining.
4. Format
 Here is the order of the pages:
a. Title Page (the title of the play and your byline)
b. Cast Page (Names and short descriptions of the characters)
c. Act/Scene Heading Before each Act/Scene (a little description of how the set
and lighting should look like)
d. Transitions (how each act/scene will end with lighting and curtain)
"How to Write A First Play: Tips on Play-Writing for Beginners |
Suite101.com." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. Web. 01 June 2011.
Playwriting 101: How to Write a Play. Web. 01 June 2011. <http://www.playwriting101.com/>.
4 – commendable
Organization
Content and
Characters
Story is organized well with a clear beginning, middle and end;
clearly communicates character, setting, objective and problem. The
plot is well-developed.
The dialogue and stage directions are clear and well written. They
depict the story with clarity and help the reader to understand the plot
better.
The characters are well-developed through dialogue and stage
directions.
Script Format
The script follows the format mentioned above.
Grammar and
Spelling
There are no errors present.