ABSTRACT
Chapter 5, “Plot: Progressions and Structure,” begins the study of plot as a sequence of connected events. Progressions are such events arranged according to their size, beats, units, scenes, acts, and, of course, plays. French scenes and digressions are also studied. Structure refers to the particular arrangement of a play’s events and their relationship to each other and the whole play. The elements of structure examined in the chapter include primary event, point of attack, inciting action, conflict, climaxes, recognition and reversal, simple and complex plots, and resolution. The operation of progressions and structure in nonrealistic plays is also examined. The chapter concludes with a summary and exercises for a scene or short play.
