- Act: A major division of a play, usually consisting of several scenes.
- Action: The events that take place in a play; the plot.
- Character: A person or animal in a play.
- Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces in a play.
- Dialogue: Conversation between characters in a play.
- Exposition: The information provided at the beginning of a play that sets the scene and introduces the characters.
- Falling action: The events that occur after the climax of a play and lead to its conclusion.
- Foreshadowing: Hints or clues in a play that suggest future events.
- Inciting incident: The event that sets the conflict of a play in motion.
- Monologue: A speech delivered by a single character on stage.
- Plot: The sequence of events in a play; the story.
- Resolution: The final resolution of the conflict in a play.
- Scene: A subdivision of an act, consisting of a continuous action in one location.
- Setting: The time and place in which a play occurs.
- Stage directions: Instructions in a play script that describe the setting, movement, and actions of the characters.
- Theme: The main idea or message of a play.
- Tragedy: A play that ends in disaster or defeat for the main character.
- Comedy: A play that ends in happiness or good fortune for the main character.