The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives - Hardcover

by Lajos Egri (Author), Gilbert Miller (Introduction by)

The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri is a comprehensive guide for aspiring playwrights and screenwriters. The book explores the fundamental principles of dramatic writing, emphasizing the importance of developing well-rounded characters that are driven by clear and believable motivations. Egri argues that every great story is built upon a solid foundation of human psychology, and he provides numerous examples from classical and contemporary literature to illustrate his points.The book is divided into three sections, with the first section focusing on the importance of premise and character development. Egri argues that a strong premise is the foundation of any great story, and he provides a detailed method for creating a compelling premise that will drive the action of the play or screenplay. He also emphasizes the importance of creating well-rounded characters, and provides a detailed analysis of the various types of character arcs that can be used to create dynamic and engaging characters.The second section of the book focuses on the importance of conflict and structure in dramatic writing. Egri argues that conflict is the driving force behind every great story, and provides a detailed analysis of the various types of conflict that can be used to create tension and drama. He also provides a detailed analysis of the various structures that can be used to organize a play or screenplay, including the three-act structure and the five-act structure.The final section of the book focuses on the importance of theme and style in dramatic writing. Egri argues that every great story has a central theme that is explored through the actions of the characters, and provides a detailed analysis of how to develop and explore themes in dramatic writing. He also provides a detailed analysis of the various styles that can be used to create a distinctive voice and tone in dramatic writing.Overall, The Art of Dramatic Writing is an essential guide for anyone interested in writing for the stage or screen. With its emphasis on character development, conflict, and theme, the book provides a comprehensive framework for creating compelling and engaging stories that will resonate with audiences.This is a new release of the original 1946 edition.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.