In Poetics by Aristotle the six elements of drama are outlined.

It is the first three which are most relevant to the novelist.

First Element - Thought/Theme/Ideas
What the play means as opposed to what happens (the plot). The abstract issues and feelings that grow out of the dramatic action.

Second Element - Action/Plot
The events of a play; the story as opposed to the theme; what happens rather than what it means.
In the plot characters are involved in conflict that has a pattern of movement. The action and movement begins from the initial entanglement, through rising action, climax, and falling action to resolution.

Third Element - Characters
These are the people presented in the play that are involved in the perusing plot. It is essential that each character should have their own distinct personality, age, appearance, beliefs, background and language.

Over 2,000 years later, he still knows what he's talking about.