Lucy Burroughs answered
If by "story" you mean novel, the main difference between a novel and a play is form. A story is actually the sequence of events (or what happens), so both a novel and a play will have a story.
What Are The Characteristics Of A Novel?
What Are The Characteristics Of A Play Or Drama?
So, essentially, you read a novel and you watch a play. You can read a play too, obviously - you'll have probably read some Shakespeare at school - but the form is intended to be performed.
What Are The Characteristics Of A Novel?
- Written in prose
- Story is made up of a beginning, middle and end (unless the novel is literary fiction, which tends to place less emphasis on plot)
- Usually divided into chapters
- Over 40,000 words (although this has varied over the centuries).
- Intended to be read rather than performed
What Are The Characteristics Of A Play Or Drama?
- Consists of dialogue and stage directions, and no literary prose.
- Usually divided into acts and scenes
- Can be any length
- Written to be performed and watched
- Predates the novel
- Has its roots in Ancient Greece
So, essentially, you read a novel and you watch a play. You can read a play too, obviously - you'll have probably read some Shakespeare at school - but the form is intended to be performed.
