Final answer:
In plays, backstory is not presented at the beginning as in novels but is revealed through characters' dialogue. The plot advances and necessary background information is provided through what the characters say to each other, rather than through descriptive narration. Playwrights integrate exposition into the dialogue to help the audience understand where, when, and why the action is taking place.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plays are different from novels in the way that they convey essential background information about the narrative. In plays, unlike novels, there is typically no backstory provided at the outset to help the audience understand the context of the action taking place. Instead, the necessary exposition is woven into the dialogue between characters. This strategy often involves revealing secrets or details of the past that are pertinent to the story's current situation as the play unfolds.
Playwrights use dialogue as the primary tool for advancing the plot and revealing the backstory, since plays lack the detailed descriptions of settings and characters' internal thoughts that are commonly found in novels. Moreover, the plot in a play is communicated through the characters' spoken words and actions, requiring the audience to infer much about the setting and the internal states of the characters.
In addition, the point of attack in a play's narrative can vary, starting either early with minimal backstory or late with significant events having already occurred. The choice of where to start the play affects how much backstory needs to be incorporated into the dialogue as a form of exposition to provide the audience with the necessary context to understand the unfolding action.