|Listed in category:
Have one to sell?

Backwards & Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays

US $9.07
ApproximatelyRM 38.14
Condition:
Acceptable
Hurry before it's gone. 1 person is watching this item.
Giving never felt so good. This sale benefits charity.
Shipping:
Free Standard Shipping.
Located in: Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Delivery:
Estimated between Sat, 13 Sep and Wed, 17 Sep to 94104
Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is based on the buyer's proximity to the item location, the shipping service selected, the seller's shipping history, and other factors. Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods.
Returns:
30 days return. Buyer pays for return shipping. If you use an eBay shipping label, it will be deducted from your refund amount.
Coverage:
Read item description or contact seller for details. See all detailsSee all details on coverage
(Not eligible for eBay purchase protection programmes)
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
eBay item number:187448196506
Last updated on Sep 11, 2025 01:07:49 MYTView all revisionsView all revisions

All net proceeds will support Goodwill of the Great Plains

Most people know us for our donation centers and thrift stores, but we're so much more. Thanks to your green donations, Goodwill diverts millions of pounds of clothing and goods from landfills ...
  • Official eBay for Charity listing. Learn more
  • This sale benefits a verified non-profit partner.

Item specifics

Condition
Acceptable: A book with obvious wear. May have some damage to the cover but integrity still intact. ...
Book Title
Backwards & Forwards: A Technical Manual for Reading Plays
ISBN
9780809311101

About this product

Product Identifiers

Publisher
Southern Illinois University Press
ISBN-10
0809311100
ISBN-13
9780809311101
eBay Product ID (ePID)
827671

Product Key Features

Number of Pages
112 Pages
Publication Name
Backwards & Forwards : a Technical Manual for Reading Plays
Language
English
Subject
Theater / General, Theater / Playwriting, Acting & Auditioning, Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities
Publication Year
1983
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Performing Arts, Education
Author
David Ball
Format
Trade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height
0.4 in
Item Weight
5.5 Oz
Item Length
8.5 in
Item Width
5.4 in

Additional Product Features

Intended Audience
Scholarly & Professional
LCCN
82-019333
Reviews
"Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ] to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing... Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-- Stage Directions "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing… Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."- Stage Directions, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing… Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-Stage Directions, "In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing... Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."-- Stage Directions, "Ball wrote [Backwards and Forwards]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works… He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing-because it is writing meant to be staged, not read- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-Dramatics, "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works… He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing-because it is writing meant to be staged, not read- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."- Dramatics, "Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ]to help people who put on plays understand how a play works... He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing--because it is writing meant to be staged, not read-- and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."-- Dramatics, Ball wrote [ Backwards and Forwards ] to help people who put on plays understand how a play works… He argues that scripts represent a special kind of writing—because it is writing meant to be staged, not read— and thus requires special reading techniques; these techniques are what he offers."— Dramatics, "In fewer than one hundred pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing....Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this ninety-six-page book than he has in his twenty years of theater experience." - Stage Directions, In fewer than 100 pages, this marvelously instructive book shows how to unlock the secrets of plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, motivation, conflict, theatricality and pacing… Our editor says he learned more about dramatic structure in the few hours he spent with this 96-page book than he has in his 20-years of theater experience."— Stage Directions
Table Of Content
Contents Foreword to the 2017 Edition Foreword to the 1983 Edition Introduction Part One: Shape 7 1. What Happens That Makes Something Else Happen? 2. And What Happens Next? 3. But Do It Backwards 4. Stasis and Intrusion 5. Obstacle, Conflict 6. Ignorance Is Bliss 7. Things Theatrical Part Two: Methods 8. Exposition 9. Forwards: Hungry for Next 10. Missing Persons (Character) 11. Image 12. Theme Part Three: Tricks of the Trade 13. Background Information 14. Trusting the Playwright 15. Families 16. Generalities: Mood, Atmosphere 17. The Unique Factor 18. Changing Eras 19. Climax 20. Beginnings/Endings 21. Rereading 22. What Next?
Synopsis
The best-selling script analysis book for thirty-five years Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theater and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts. Ball developed his method during his work as literary director at the Guthrie Theater, building his guide on the crafts playwrights of every period and style use to make their plays stageworthy. The text is full of tools for students and practitioners to use as they investigate plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, conflict, theatricality, and the other crucial parts of the superstructure of a play. Also included are guides for discovering what the playwright considers a play's most important elements, thus permitting interpretation based on the foundation of the play rather than its details. Using Shakespeare's Hamlet as illustration, Ball assures a familiar base for clarifying script-reading techniques as well as exemplifying the kinds of misinterpretation readers can fall prey to by ignoring the craft of the playwright. Of immense utility to those who want to put plays on the stage (actors, directors, designers, production specialists) Backwards & Forwards is also a fine playwriting manual because the structures it describes are the primary tools of the playwright., Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theatre and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts., The best-selling script analysis book for thirty-five years Considered an essential text since its publication thirty-five years ago, this guide for students and practitioners of both theater and literature complements, rather than contradicts or repeats, traditional methods of literary analysis of scripts. Ball developed his method during his work as literary director at the Guthrie Theater, building his guide on the crafts playwrights of every period and style use to make their plays stageworthy. The text is full of tools for students and practitioners to use as they investigate plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, conflict, theatricality, and the other crucial parts of the superstructure of a play. Also included are guides for discovering what the playwright considers a play' s most important elements, thus permitting interpretation based on the foundation of the play rather than its details. Using Shakespeare's Hamlet as illustration, Ball assures a familiar base for clarifying script-reading techniques as well as exemplifying the kinds of misinterpretation readers can fall prey to by ignoring the craft of the playwright. Of immense utility to those who want to put plays on the stage (actors, directors, designers, production specialists) Backwards & Forwards is also a fine playwriting manual because the structures it describes are the primary tools of the playwright.
LC Classification Number
PN1661.B34 1983

Item description from the seller

About this seller

goodwillgreatplainssf

100% positive feedback28K items sold

Joined Nov 2012

Detailed Seller Ratings

Average for the last 12 months
Accurate description
5.0
Reasonable shipping cost
5.0
Shipping speed
5.0
Communication
5.0

Seller feedback (9,855)

All ratings
Positive
Neutral
Negative