Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. About This Guide ix
4. The Plays and Playwrights xv
5. Technical Considerations
6. Genre. 1
7. Style. 6
8. Dramatic. Focus 10
9. Rules of the Game. 16
10. Framework. 20
11. Stage Directions. 26
12. Other Script Elements. 33
13. The Big Picture
14. Title. 37
15. Characters. 42
16. Offstage Population. 56
17. Plot. 62
18. Character Arcs. 74
19. Story Arc and Main Event. 82
20. Subject and Theme. 87
21. Dialogue. 94
22. Visual Imagery. 102
23. World of the Characters
24. Physical Realm. 107
25. Emotional Environment. 117
26. Social Context. 122
27. Laws and Customs. 132
28. Economics. 137
29. Power Structure. 140
30. Spiritual Realm. 143
31. Backstory. 146
32. Steps of the Journey
33. Point of Attack. 155
34. Inciting Event and Quest. 162
35. Central Conflict. 168
36. What’s at Stake. 172
37. Strategies and Tactics. 176
38. Pointers and Plants. 183
39. Reversals. 191
40. Crisis Decision. 196
41. Climax and Resolution. 201
42. Acknowledgments 207