Plays are different from short stories or novels primarily in that they contain mostly dialogue. Unlike short stories and novels, which often include extensive narrative descriptions, internal thoughts, and background details, plays focus on characters' interactions and dialogue to convey the story. Here’s a breakdown of the other statements:
- Plays include fewer characters. This is not necessarily true; plays can have a wide range of characters, just like short stories or novels.
- Plays provide more detailed descriptions. Plays generally provide less descriptive detail about settings and characters, relying instead on stage directions and dialogue.
- Plays do not include a complete plot. This is inaccurate; plays typically have a complete plot, structured through acts and scenes, just like short stories and novels.
So, the primary distinction lies in the heavy reliance on dialogue and performance in plays, in contrast to the narrative prose found in short stories and novels.