My Account Log in

1 option

The architecture of story : a technical guide for the dramatic writer / Will Dunne.

LIBRA PN1661 .D858 2016
Loading location information...

Available from offsite location This item is stored in our repository but can be checked out.

Log in to request item
Format:
Book
Author/Creator:
Dunne, Will, author.
Series:
Chicago guides to writing, editing, and publishing
Language:
English
Subjects (All):
Drama--Technique.
Drama.
Playwriting.
Physical Description:
xviii, 207 pages ; 24 cm.
Place of Publication:
Chicago ; London : University of Chicago Press, 2016.
Summary:
Through his workshops and his book The Dramatic Writer's Companion, Will Dunne has helped thousands of playwrights and screenwriters develop successful scripts. Now, in The Architecture of Story, he shows them how to master the building blocks of dramatic storytelling "by analyzing a trio of award-winning contemporary American plays: Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley, Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks, and The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl. Each self-contained chapter focuses on one storytelling component, ranging from "Title" and "Main Event" to "Emotional Environment" and "Crisis Decision." Dunne explores each component in detail, demonstrating how it has been successfully handled in each play and comparing and contrasting techniques. The chapters conclude with questions to help writers evaluate and improve their own scripts. The result is a nonlinear reference guide that lets writers work at their own pace and choose the topics that interest them as they develop new scripts. This flexible, interactive structure is designed to meet the needs of writers at all stages of writing and at all levels of experience. Book jacket.
Contents:
Genre
Style
Dramatic focus
Rules of the game
Framework
Stage directions
Other script elements
Title
Characters
Offstage population
Plot
Character arcs
Story arc and main event
Subject and theme
Dialogue
Visual imagery
Physical realm
Emotional environment
Social context
Laws and customs
Economics
Power structure
Spiritual realm
Backstory
Point of attack
Inciting event and quest
Central conflict
What's at stake
Strategies and tactics
Pointers and plants
Reversals
Crisis decision
Climax and resolution.
ISBN:
9780226181912
9780226181882
022618188X
022618191X
OCLC:
919341774
Publisher Number:
99967721947

The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.

Find

Home Release notes

My Account

Shelf Request an item Bookmarks Fines and fees Settings

Guides

Using the Find catalog Using Articles+ Using your account