In 'The Art of Dramatic Writing', Lajos Egri unveils the essential principles that underpin compelling storytelling and character development. Through a blend of theory and practical insights, he explores the dynamics of conflict, moral values, and the dramatic premise that breathe life into narratives. Egri emphasizes the importance of the characters' inner motivations, asserting that true drama stems from their interactions and struggles. This book is a treasure trove for aspiring playwrights and writers looking to deepen their understanding of what makes stories resonate. Prepare to unlock the secrets of impactful dramatic writing that holds audiences spellbound.
By Lajos Egri
Published: 1972
"Conflict is the essence of drama, for without it, characters remain stagnant and the story fails to ignite."
Learn the basic techniques every successful playwright knows! Amid the hundreds of "how-to" books out there, there have been very few which attempted to analyze the mysteries of play construction. Lajos Egri's classic, The Art of Dramatic Writing, does just that, with instruction that can be applied equally well to a short story, novel, or screenplay. Examining a play from the inside out, Egri starts with the heart of any drama: its characters. All good dramatic writing hinges on people and their relationships, which serve to move the story forward and give it life, as well as an understanding of human motives—why people act the way that they do. Using examples from everything from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Egri shows how it is essential for the author to have a basic premise—a thesis, demonstrated in terms of human behavior—and to develop the dramatic conflict on the basis of that behavior. Using Egri's ABCs of premise, character, and conflict, The Art of Dramatic Writing is a direct, jargon-free approach to the problem of achieving truth in writing.
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“Conflict is the essence of drama, for without it, characters remain stagnant and the story fails to ignite.”
Art Of Dramatic Writing
By Lajos Egri
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Lajos Egri was a Hungarian-American playwright, author, and teacher best known for his influential work on the craft of playwriting. Born in 1888 in Hungary, Egri emigrated to the United States in the early 20th century, where he made significant contributions to dramatic literature and education. His most notable work, "The Art of Dramatic Writing," published in 1942, is regarded as a foundational text in understanding character development, conflict, and structure within plays. Egri's writing style is characterized by its clarity and practical approach, emphasizing the importance of premise and character-driven storytelling. His teachings have profoundly impacted generations of writers, and his insights into dramatic structure remain relevant in contemporary theatre.
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