Dramatic Technique

"Dramatic Technique" by George Pierce Baker is an instructional book for aspiring playwrights. It serves as a bridge that links natural playwriting talent with actual understanding of drama and what goes into crafting a successful play. It discourages the idea that playwrights are only born with talent, rather than developing it through an understanding of the formal dynamics of drama. Baker shows the need to study methods from the past and present to build compelling works, and sets the stage for the rest of the book with a focus on action, character, and conversation as foundational components in touching an audience.