Lesson 1

Distinguishing
Features of One-Act
Play
Objectives:

•Define one-act play

•Enumerate and explain the
distinguishing features of one-act
play.

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What is One-Act
Play?

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One-Act Play

• It is a play that has

only one act, as
distinct from plays
that occur over
several acts.
• It may consist of
one or more scenes.

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One-Act Play

• It is a short piece of
drama that consists
of only one act.
• It usually has one or
more scenes, but
does not exceed one
act

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Elements of One-
Act Play
1. Theme
2. Character
3. Plot
4. Dialogue

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Theme

• What is it all about?

Revenge? Humor?
Love?

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Character
• These are the people
presented in the play
that are involved in the
perusing plot.
• Each character should
have their own distinct
personality, age,
appearance, beliefs,
socio economic
background, and
language.
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Plot

• There is really only time

for one significant
event.

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Dialogue
• Each line must be crafted
carefully to focus on the
theme, the incident, and
the character of the
protagonist.
• The dialogue need not be
terse, but must be concise
and full of meaning.

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Task 1: Do the talk

1. Define one-act play in a

sentence using your own
words.
2. Choose one of the
distinguishing features of one-
act play and explain it. 11