* Plays are written to be performed: Plays are fundamentally dramatic literature designed for the stage. The text is a blueprint for actors, directors, and designers to bring a story to life through performance. The reader is therefore implicitly invited to visualize the action, dialogue, and staging rather than having it described in detail. They focus on dialogue, stage directions (describing action and setting), and character interactions to drive the narrative.
* Stories are written to be read: While some stories might *be adapted* for stage or screen, they are primarily designed for readers to engage with the narrative through description and narration. The author provides rich detail about setting, character thoughts and feelings, and often a deeper exploration of the internal world of the characters. The narrative is driven by description and the author's voice, not solely dialogue.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Play | Story |
|-----------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| Primary Purpose | Performance | Reading |
| Narrative Drive | Dialogue, action, stage directions | Narration, description, internal thoughts |
| Description | Sparse, focuses on essentials | Rich and detailed |
| Character Development | Often revealed through dialogue and action | Often revealed through narration and internal monologue |
| Setting | Primarily indicated through stage directions | Described in detail by the author |
| Reader's Role | Visualizes the performance | Absorbs the written narrative |
Essentially, reading a play is like reading a script; you're getting the skeletal framework of a story, and the full experience relies on imagination or a later performance. Reading a story provides a more complete, richly detailed experience delivered directly through the author's words.