Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution and a four-act play are both complex structures with distinct parts that work together to achieve a common purpose. The Constitution, in this case, outlines the relationship between the states and the federal government, addressing issues such as the admission of new states, fugitive extradition, and the protection of states' rights. Similarly, a four-act play is a narrative structure that guides the pacing and plot of a story, typically consisting of an introduction, rising action, a climax, and a resolution. Each act serves a specific function, introducing conflict, escalating tension, and ultimately leading to a satisfying conclusion. While the Constitution and a four-act play serve very different purposes, they both rely on a well-defined framework to guide their respective processes, whether it be the governing of a nation or the telling of a compelling story.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Act | Setup/Introduction |
| First Act Plot Points | The Hook, The Inciting Event, The Key Event, The First Plot Point |
| Second Act | Conflict/Crisis |
| Third Act | Climax |
| Fourth Act | Resolution |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution's four acts are comparable to the four stages of a well-paced story
- Act One introduces the Virginia Plan to revise the Articles of Confederation
- Act Two depicts a stalemate, with delegates questioning the Virginia Plan's validity
- Act Three should include a pinch point to increase tension and pressure
- Act Four covers the final three weeks of the Convention, with a focus on resolution
The Constitution's four acts are comparable to the four stages of a well-paced story
The Constitution's four acts can be compared to the four stages of a well-paced story, each with its own unique purpose and contribution to the overall narrative arc.
Act One, as described in the Constitutional Convention, involves Governor Randolph's introduction of the fifteen-point Virginia Plan, which aimed to "revise the Articles of Confederation." This act sets the stage and provides the necessary background information, similar to the setup phase in a story's structure. It introduces the characters and the initial conflict, presenting the need for change and setting the direction for the rest of the narrative.
Act Two portrays a crisis within the Convention, as delegates question the validity of the Virginia Plan and argue over the republican form of government. This act functions as the rising action, where tension and conflict increase. It is during this act that the stakes are raised, and the protagonists may face greater challenges or obstacles, creating a sense of uncertainty and anticipation for the audience.
Act Three, though not explicitly mentioned, likely involves further debates, negotiations, and the exploration of alternative solutions. This act can be likened to the climax and falling action of a story. It is where the confrontation occurs, and the protagonists make crucial decisions or take decisive actions to address the central problem. This act builds towards the resolution, as the narrative pieces start to fall into place.
Act Four covers the final three weeks of the Convention in September, during which the final revisions and agreements are made. This act serves as the resolution, providing closure to the story. It is where the remaining conflicts are resolved, and the consequences of the decisions made in the previous acts are realized, concluding the narrative arc and leaving the audience with a sense of completion.
By comparing the Constitution's four acts to the stages of a well-paced story, we can better understand the progression and significance of each act, highlighting the dramatic elements and the journey towards a final outcome.
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Act One introduces the Virginia Plan to revise the Articles of Confederation
In a four-act play, Act One is all about setting up the scene and introducing the characters and the central conflict. Similarly, in the context of the US Constitution, Act One introduces the Virginia Plan, which sets the stage for the debate and discussion that will follow in the subsequent acts.
Act One of the Constitutional Convention took place in May 1787, when Virginia's governor, Edmund Randolph, introduced the fifteen-point Virginia Plan. This plan was designed to "revise the Articles of Confederation" and proposed a radical departure from the existing structure. The Articles of Confederation had established a wholly federal system, with only the states being represented and the central government exercising limited powers.
The Virginia Plan, on the other hand, called for the creation of a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It advocated for proportional representation in a bicameral legislature, with each state's representation in Congress based on its population. This plan favoured the interests of large states and aimed to diminish the powers of the states, giving Congress the freedom to act in areas where the states were incompetent.
The introduction of the Virginia Plan sets the tone and context for the rest of the play, or in this case, the Constitutional Convention. It presents the initial proposal and lays the groundwork for the discussions, debates, and compromises that will unfold in the following acts as delegates grapple with the best way forward for the nation.
The Virginia Plan's decisive features included the complete structural exclusion of states in terms of both election and representation. It proposed the diminution of state powers and the establishment of an extended national republic with institutional separation of powers. The plan also introduced the possibility of abandoning traditional republicanism's standard features, such as short terms of office and term limits.
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Act Two depicts a stalemate, with delegates questioning the Virginia Plan's validity
The Constitution and a four-act play can be compared based on their structure and narrative flow. The four-act structure is a common framework used in storytelling, where each act represents a different stage of the story, with plot points that hook the audience and drive the narrative forward.
Act Two of our four-act play depicts a stalemate, with delegates questioning the validity of the Virginia Plan, which was introduced in Act One. The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan, was proposed by Governor Edmund Randolph and drafted by James Madison. It was presented at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 as a plan for a strong central government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative branch would have two houses, with representation based on population, favouring large states.
Act Two's stalemate arises as delegates from Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Mr. Martin from Maryland, defenders of the old system, challenge the Virginia Plan. They argue that the Convention has exceeded its mandate by scrapping, rather than revising, the Articles of Confederation. They claim that the proposal of a large country under one republican form of government will never be accepted by the electorate. This challenge creates a crisis, as the Convention appears to be at an impasse.
The delegates from smaller states prefer alternatives that guarantee equal representation regardless of population. They propose the New Jersey Plan, which includes a single-chamber legislature where each state, regardless of size, has one vote. This plan also calls for multiple leaders of the executive branch and the appointment of judges by the executives.
The conflict between the supporters of the Virginia Plan and those defending the old system or advocating for the New Jersey Plan sets the stage for negotiation and compromise in the following acts of our play. The challenges presented in Act Two create an opportunity for the delegates to shape the Virginia Plan into a more acceptable document, leading to the eventual formation of the United States Constitution.
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Act Three should include a pinch point to increase tension and pressure
The Four-Act Structure is a common framework used by writers to create captivating plots. Each act contains unique story beats and phases, serving the purpose of helping writers craft a well-paced story that readers will not want to put down.
- Advance the conflict and raise the stakes: Pinch points escalate the conflict, making it more challenging for the protagonist to reach their goal. By reinforcing the antagonist's power and intentions, these key scenes drive the story towards its climax.
- Keep the reader engaged: Pinch points create a sense of urgency and drive the story forward, preventing the narrative from losing steam. They rekindle curiosity and suspense, compelling readers to stay invested in the narrative.
- Add depth to characters and their motivations: As pinch points put pressure on the characters, their true personalities and motivations emerge.
The placement of the pinch point in Act Three is crucial. It should be strategically positioned to maximise its impact on the narrative. This act is often the longest and contains the rising action, making it the perfect setting for a well-crafted pinch point to intensify the tension and pressure.
In the context of the Constitutional Convention, Act Three could introduce an unexpected conflict or a new challenge for the protagonists to navigate. For example, it could showcase the power of those opposed to the Virginia Plan, intensifying the pressure on the delegates to find a resolution. This pinch point would serve as a reminder of the challenges and obstacles faced by the protagonists, driving the story towards its climax in Act Four.
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Act Four covers the final three weeks of the Convention, with a focus on resolution
The four-act structure is a common framework used by writers to create captivating plots and pacing. Each act contains unique story beats and phases that work together to form a cohesive narrative.
Act Four of the Constitutional Convention, covering the final three weeks of the Convention in September, serves as the resolution to the preceding acts. This act brings the story to a close, tying up loose ends and providing a sense of closure.
During this period, the delegates work towards finalizing the Constitution, addressing any remaining concerns and ensuring a comprehensive document. The focus shifts to ensuring that the various components of the Constitution are coherent and consistent.
Act Four also provides an opportunity for reflection on the journey of the Convention. It allows for the exploration of how the delegates' perspectives may have evolved since the earlier acts, and how they have navigated the complexities of their task.
Additionally, this act emphasizes the impact of the Convention's outcomes. It highlights the significance of the decisions made, the compromises reached, and the vision for the future that has emerged.
The final act of the Constitutional Convention is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of those involved. It showcases their commitment to creating a robust and unified document that will shape the nation's future.
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Frequently asked questions
Act One of a four-act play is about setting up the story. It introduces the protagonist and other characters, and presents the central conflict of the story.
The inciting incident is the event that sets the story in motion. It occurs in the first act and leads to the formation of the major dramatic question, which holds the rest of the play together.
The four-act structure serves as a guide to plot and pacing for writers. It provides a framework for creating a well-paced story with rising action, a climax, and a resolution.
