About This Guide The Plays and Playwrights Technical Considerations Genre Type of story Style How characters and events are depicted Dramatic Focus Main character and point of view Rules of the Game How things work in this particular story Framework Act and scene divisions, including French scenes Stage Directions Instructions for staging the play Other Script Elements What's in the script besides the play The Big Picture Title Meaning and function of title Characters Who causes the story to happen Offstage Population Who influences the story from offstage Plot Synopsis and chain of events Character Arcs Character entrances, exits, and transitions Story Arc and Main Event Most important thing that happens Subject and Theme What the story is about Dialogue Language characteristics and indigenous terms Visual Imagery How images reveal story World of the Characters Physical Realm The setting and what's in it Emotional Environment General mood or atmosphere Social Context Key circumstances, values, and beliefs Laws and Customs Social rules that affect behavior Economics How characters are influenced by money or lack of it Power Structure Who is in charge and who isn't Spiritual Realm Presence or absence of the supernatural Backstory The past that affects the present Steps of the Journey Point of Attack How the play begins Inciting Event and Quest What triggers the protagonist's dramatic journey Central Conflict Key obstacles to the protagonist's success What's at Stake The protagonist's reason to act Strategies and Tactics How the protagonist tries to complete the quest Pointers and Plants Preparation tools to engage the audience Reversals Turning points in the story Crisis Decision The protagonist's most difficult decision Climax and Resolution Showdown and final destination Acknowledgments.