Writing Your First Play, 2nd Edition

2

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Direct Conflict

Exercise 2.1  •  Direct Conflict

Place two characters in a scene of direct conflict. Write the scene in stage terms indicating how the scene should be staged. Use dialogue as needed, and resolve the scene. Minimum length: 2–3 pages.

This chapter asks you to compose a scene that places two characters in a situation of direct conflict. The exercise encourages you to conceive a dramatic scene in terms of conflict. Taken in combination with the first exercise, it attempts to substitute for the notion of people sitting around talking the more dramatically functional notion of people doing things that are in conflict.

The idea that conflict is essential to drama is hardly a new one. Ferdinand Bruntiere ...