Teaching Playwriting in Schools - Center Stage

Common Problems in Student Plays
Conflicts
Problems:
1. No Conflict—There are no obstacles to characters’ wants. The obstacles she or he is presented
with are easily overcome. The problems are minor and the resulting conflict lacks
consequence.
2. Conflict resolved too quickly—The change the characters present is not believable because it
occurs too soon or too easily. The conflict does not sufficiently challenge the characters.
3. Unfocused conflict—It is unclear what the conflict is about and/or why the characters are
involved in it. Perhaps there are too many characters or not enough dialogue.
4. Conflict does not progress—The central conflict or dramatic action does not effect change in
the scene. Change happens independent of the main conflict of the play.
Questions for the Playwright to ask:
• Does the character have to sacrifice anything to achieve his or her goal? How big a sacrifice?
• Can you clarify the goal of each character and the obstacles to achieving his or her goals?
• How did the character change and what initiated the change?
• What needs to happen between these two characters to make their change believable?
• Who is this play about?
• What does this character want?
• What is stopping this character from getting what he or she wants? (Insisting on one-sentence
answers assists in focusing.)
• What is the conflict in this scene?
• Why is there a conflict?
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