Playwrights may use an early point of attack or a late point of attack. Explain the differences between these and

the resulting effect on both the play’s structure and on the audience’s experience.

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER:Early
point of attack: the play starts near the beginning of the story and events unfold
chronologically
Late point of attack: much of the story has already taken place when the play starts
Plays with an early point of attack require little exposition
In dramatic works with a late point of attack, such as those of the ancient Greek
playwrights, many previous events need to be summarized for the audience's benefit
Plays with an early point of attack, such as many by Shakespeare, might take place over a
greater period of time and ask the audience to follow a more sprawling, spread out story
The stories in plays with a late point of attack likely end not very long after they begin,
perhaps with the audience following along in "real time"