Definition
A beat is the smallest unit of dramatic movement inside a scene: an action or line that changes the situation, even slightly, and prompts a response.
Example
She slides the contract across the table. He does not pick it up. That exchange is one beat; his silence forces the next.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Confusing beat with pause in dialogue formatting.
- Writing long scenes with no internal shifts, so nothing feels like it is moving.