How To Write A Script

HOW TO WRITE A SCRIPT
Members: Ali, Alonto, Elias, Mala,

and Usman
Table of Contents:
 Get Inspiration
 Create Plot
 Pick a Structure
 Make an Outline
 Write Using the Outline
 Edit and Rewrite
 Play Script Example
Writing a Play Script
When writing a play script, your script should
include the settings, dialogue, and actions that take
place throughout your play. This type of script
outlines who says or does what when and how as well
as describes the setting of the stage, like backdrops,
lighting, and props. It is specifically for live visual
stories on the stage, including dramas, comedies, and
musicals.
How to write a Play Script
1. GET INSPIRATION
The first step is to read and watch as many plays as possible. During your research, take
note of what other playwrights do well. If you notice dialogue you especially enjoy or useful
stage directions, consider emulating them in your own play script. Reading a play first and
then seeing a live performance of that play is a great way to see what a script can turn into.
2. CHOOSE A THEME
• Genre: This is the style, tone, and subject matter of your play, whether that be serious and
somber or funny and insightful (see examples of movie genres here)
• Character growth: This is how your characters develop over the course of your play.
• Key takeaways: These are morals or lessons that the audience learns by the end of the
play.
CREATE A PLOT
The plot of your play is the events that take place and lead the entire story. You need to
decide if you want your play plot-driven, meaning the story pushes characters from scene to
scene, or character-focused, where characters’ actions direct the story. You may choose a
combination of the two.
• Characters: Decide who the main character of your play is. Make an effort to develop them
into a believable person. You may also want to add supporting characters that support or
challenge them. Consider the relationships between all of your characters, especially ones
that have a conflict with each other. Having a conflict creates more tension in your play and
keeps the audience interested in the fate of your main character.
• Settings: Where is your play taking place? How does this add to the story? Determine how
the setting impacts each scene or character and contextualizes themes. Limiting the number
of different settings keeps your play grounded and improves its producibility. Consider how
your crew could quickly transform one setting into another.
• Time: When is your play taking place? You need to figure out a way to convey this to the
audience, whether that be through narration, costume, or dialogue.
• Story: The story of your play focuses on the characters’ reactions and emotions
surrounding events of the plot.
• Narrative arc: Many plays follow a structure of exposition, rising action, and resolution.
• Exposition: In your play, you need to establish the who, what, where, when, and why of
your plot. If you have a central conflict in your play, this may be the time to present it.
• Rising action: Toward the middle of your play, more obstacles or challenges unfold. The
conflict may deepen until you reach the climax of the play. This is the tensest moment,
typically when characters fully address conflicts.
• Resolution: After the climax happens, the tension of your play lessens. During the
resolution, your characters may overcome their conflicts or learn to live with them. Even if
your ending is tragic, you may want to include a key takeaway or lesson.
PICK A STRUCTURE
Plays are made up of acts. Within each act are multiple scenes. When writing your play, you
need to decide which kind of structure you want. As a new playwright, you may want to begin
with a simple structure, such as a one-act play.
These are the most common play structures:
One-act play: The play runs all the way through without an intermission. You still need a
narrative arc, but you may have fewer settings and scenes.
Two-act play: Most contemporary plays use the two-act structure. A two-act play consists of two
parts with an intermission in between. They allow for more complex sets since your crew can set
up a new scene during the intermission.
Three-act play: This is the most complex play structure to write. These types of plays tend to be
longer due to the extra intermissions and length of the acts. In many three-act plays, act one is
typically the exposition, act two is the rising action, and act three is the resolution.
MAKE AN OUTLINE
Before writing the entire play from scratch, create a general outline of your play. Include the
following in your outline:
• Acts – An act consists of several scenes and can run for a long time in a performance.
• Scenes – The scene features a brief situation of action and dialogue.
• When characters appear – They appear in the beginning and end of the play.
• Narrative arc – Is a literary term for the path a story follows. It provides a backbone by
providing a clear beginning, middle, and end of the story.
• General stage actions – It is part of the script of a play that tells the actors how they are to
move or to speak their lines. Enter, exit, and exeunt are stage directions.
WRITE USING THE OUTLINE
Once you have a done your outline, you can start writing your play
script. Filling in the outline with your actual script is a smart way to stay
organized.
• Dialogue: This is one of the main components that guide your play.
Consider what dialogue each character has and how this develops who they
are.
• Actions: Within the script, you need to note what each character is doing.
Make it clear so the actors have a better understanding of what they need to
do.
• Technical elements: This includes things like costume changes, props,
lighting, and settings.
EDIT AND REWRITE
After writing your first draft, it’s time to read through the entire
play script and start making adjustments. For instance, if your
dialogue feels a bit flat, you need to rewrite it in a way that sounds
more natural. Consider how people talk in real life, and try to make
your characters feel human and emotional. Have someone else read
through your play to see if it makes sense to them. Ask them to note
anything that is a bit confusing or needs more development. Since
the story is in your head, you may not realize that it’s not as
straightforward on paper.
PLAY SCRIPT EXAMPLE
Follow these formatting rules when writing a play script:
• Center act and scene headings.
• Center and capitalize your characters’ names before each
line of dialogue.
• Capitalize your characters’ names in action lines.
• Indent and italicize stage directions.
Here is a brief example of a play script:

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