(I) Because a play is written to be performed, it uses certain conventions you do not encounter in short stories. (II) It contains stage directions that tell the actors how to speak and how to move upon the stage. (III) Most of the story is presented through dialogue, the words the characters speak. (IV) When you read a play do you try to imagine how it would appear on stage? (V) In addition, it is divided into short units of action called “scenes” and larger ones called “acts”.