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Nigeria's free digital learning hub. Videos, lecture notes, practice questions and leaderboards aligned with CCMAS, NBTE, NCCE, WAEC, NECO, IJMB and JAMB curricula.
Literature in English · 300 Level
This is the complete lecture note for LIT 308 Creative writing 3, prepared for Literature in English students at 300 Level. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course Code: LIT 308 Course Title: Creative Writing III Course Credit Load: 2 Units Series 1: Writing the One-Act Play Series 2: Composing a Slim Volume of Poems Series 3: Crafting the Convincing Short Story Series 4: Developing the Novelette Series 5: Applying Technical Rules of Creative Writing Proposed Outline for Series 1 Part 1.1: Understanding the one-act play • Sub-Part 1.1.1: Definition and characteristics • Sub-Part 1.1.2: Historical development and relevance Part 1.2: Elements of dramatic writing • Sub-Part 1.2.1: Plot and structure • Sub-Part 1.2.2: Characterisation and dialogue Part 1.3: Techniques for writing the one-act play • Sub-Part 1.3.1: Developing themes and conflict • Sub-Part 1.3.2: Stage directions and performance considerations Part 1.4: Drafting and revising the one-act play • Sub-Part 1.4.1: Writing the first draft • Sub-Part 1.4.2: Editing and refining for performance Introduction Plays have long been a powerful medium for storytelling, combining dialogue, action, and performance to engage audiences. Among the different forms of drama, the one-act play is particularly effective because it delivers a complete narrative within a short span, making it both
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS accessible and impactful. For learners of creative writing, mastering the one-act play provides a strong foundation in dramatic writing and performance. The aim of this Series is to guide you through the process of writing a one-act play, equipping you with the skills to create compelling plots, believable characters, and effective dialogue, while also considering stage directions and performance. We shall commence this Series by understanding the one-act play, including its definition, characteristics, and historical relevance. Next, we will explore the essential elements of dramatic writing, focusing on plot, structure, characterisation, and dialogue. Following that, we will examine techniques for writing the one-act play, such as developing themes, conflict, and stage directions. Finally, we will conclude with drafting and revising, where you will learn how to produce a first draft and refine it for performance. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the one-act play and explain its characteristics, • SLO 1.2 analyse the historical development and relevance of the one-act play, • SLO 1.3 describe the essential elements of dramatic writing including plot, structure, characterisation, and dialogue, • SLO 1.4 apply techniques for developing themes, conflict, and stage directions in a one-act play, and • SLO 1.5 draft and revise a one-act play for effective performance. 1.1 Understanding the One-Act Play 1.1.1 Definition and characteristics A one-act play is a short dramatic work that tells a complete story within a single act. Unlike full-length plays, which are divided into multiple acts, the one-act play presents its narrative in a concise form, often lasting between fifteen minutes and one hour. Its brevity requires careful focus on plot, character, and dialogue, ensuring that every element contributes meaningfully to the overall impact. One-act plays are popular in educational and community theatre because they are easier to stage and allow writers to experiment with themes and techniques. Fill in the blank: A one-act play tells a complete story within a single __________.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.1: Features of a one-act play 1.1.2 Historical development and relevance The one-act play has a long history, with roots in classical drama and folk performance. In the twentieth century, it became a recognised form in modern theatre, used by playwrights to explore experimental ideas and social issues. Its relevance today lies in its accessibility: audiences can engage with a complete narrative in a short time, while writers can practise dramatic techniques without the demands of a full-length play. For students of creative writing, the one-act play provides an excellent training ground for mastering dialogue, conflict, and stagecraft. Fill in the blank: The one-act play became a recognised form in modern theatre during the __________ century. Plate 1.1: Performance of a one-act play
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Feature Pedagogical & Practical Value Accessibility The shorter duration makes performances more accessible to diverse audiences, particularly in community or rural settings where long-form theatre may be less common. Resource Efficiency One-act plays typically require fewer actors, minimal set changes, and less technical equipment, making them ideal for schools or troupes with limited budgets. Experimental Freedom Because the "stakes" are lower in terms of production time, writers and directors often use this format to test radical ideas, non-linear structures, or avant-garde aesthetics. Foundational Training For emerging playwrights, the one-act play is a laboratory for mastering the "inciting incident" and the "climax" within a strict timeframe. Thematic Focus The brevity of the form forces a sharp focus on sharp dialogue and immediate conflict, stripping away subplots to reveal the rawest elements of the human condition. Box 1.1: Reasons for the relevance of one-act plays Pilot questions 1.1 1. A one-act play tells a complete story within a single __________. 2. State one feature of a one-act play. 3. The one-act play became a recognised form in modern theatre during the __________ century. 4. Give one reason why one-act plays are relevant today. 5. Why are one-act plays considered useful for students of creative writing? 1.2 Elements of Dramatic Writing 1.2.1 Plot and structure The plot is the sequence of events that make up the story in a play. In a one-act play, the plot must be concise, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Because of the short length, the structure often focuses on a single conflict or situation that is resolved within the act. A well-structured plot ensures that the audience remains engaged and that the story feels complete despite its brevity.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Fill in the blank: In a one-act play, the plot often focuses on a single __________ or situation. Figure 1.2: Structure of a one-act play 1.2.2 Characterisation and dialogue Characterisation refers to the way characters are created and developed in a play. In a one-act play, characters must be introduced quickly and clearly, since there is limited time for development. Each character should serve a purpose in advancing the plot or highlighting the theme. Dialogue is the spoken exchange between characters, and it is the primary tool for revealing personality, conflict, and emotion. Effective dialogue should sound natural, yet purposeful, driving the story forward while keeping the audience engaged. Fill in the blank: Dialogue is the primary tool for revealing personality, conflict, and __________. Plate 1.2: Characterisation and dialogue in performance Technique Implementation Strategy Pedagogical Goal Rapid Introduction Use immediate action or a specific physical "quirk" to establish a character's essence within the first two minutes. To teach the economy of stage time.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Technique Implementation Strategy Pedagogical Goal Functional Casting Ensure every character is a "cog in the machine." If a character doesn't create or resolve a conflict, they should be cut. To demonstrate structural efficiency in drama. Subtext in Speech Dialogue should rarely be "on the nose." What a character doesn't say often reveals more about their conflict than what they do. To illustrate the psychological depth of performance. Natural Purpose Avoid "info-dumping." Use natural-sounding back-and-forth to reveal necessary backstory through the heat of an argument. To master the flow of realistic stage interaction. Box 1.2: Tips for effective characterisation and dialogue Pilot questions 1.2 1. In a one-act play, the plot often focuses on a single __________ or situation. 2. State one reason why structure is important in a one-act play. 3. Dialogue is the primary tool for revealing personality, conflict, and __________. 4. Give one example of how characterisation can be achieved in a one-act play. 5. Why should dialogue in a one-act play be both natural and purposeful? 1.3 Techniques for Writing the One-Act Play 1.3.1 Developing themes and conflict A theme is the central idea or message that a play communicates. In a one-act play, the theme must be clear and focused because of the short length. Common themes include love, betrayal, justice, or survival. A conflict is the struggle between opposing forces, and it drives the action of the play. Since the one-act play is brief, the conflict should be introduced early and resolved by the end. Together, theme and conflict give the play its emotional depth and dramatic tension. Fill in the blank: In a one-act play, the __________ should be introduced early and resolved by the end.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.3: Relationship between theme and conflict 1.3.2 Stage directions and performance considerations Stage directions are written instructions in a play that describe movement, gestures, tone, or setting. They guide actors and directors in bringing the script to life. In a one-act play, stage directions must
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