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A parenthetical indicates how a line of dialogue should be delivered. It can offer insight into the subtext or emotion behind a line, ensuring the actor's delivery is aligned with the character's intentions.

In playwriting, an action description guides actors and directors on how the playwright envisions physical movements and behaviors in a scene. It's essential for visualizing the script and facilitating the intended emotional and narrative impact on the audience.

The character name appears above dialogue blocks to indicate who is speaking. It is important for keeping track of dialogue and maintaining the flow of the play, as well as informing actors which lines belong to their character.

A scene heading—or slug line—indicates the location and time of day of a scene. It is critical for the technical crew to set the stage and helps in establishing the setting for the audience.

The act structure breaks the play into larger sections, typically denoting a significant shift in the narrative or tone. Understanding act structure is important for organizing the story progression and the characters' journeys.

A dialogue block consists of a character's spoken words. It is fundamental to the play's story, driving the plot and revealing character traits, relationships, and conflicts.

A beat is a small pause or moment in the script for dramatic effect or to allow a character to reflect. It can indicate a change in tone or a significant moment and is key for pacing and emotional impact.

Stage directions give actors and directors specific instructions about where and how to move on stage. Essential for blocking and ensuring that the movement aligns with the narrative, they often include emotional context for the characters' actions.

Subtext refers to the underlying meaning or intention behind lines of dialogue. It's pivotal for adding depth to characters and situations, often conveying more than the spoken words.