A Lesson on the Elements of Drama Literature

What is Drama? n Drama is written to be performed by actors. The script

Types of Plays… Comedy – a humorous play with a happy ending n Tragedy

Dialogue and Monologue n n Dialogue – a conversation between two or more characters

What is this an example of ? ISMENE: Antigone, you are mad! What could

Monologue vs. Soliloquy n A soliloquy is a long speech expressing the thoughts of

Aside A speech directed to the audience that supposedly is not audible to the

Plot n Plot – series of events n n Incidents in a story that

Conflict A conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces. n Types: n n

Structure of a Drama A dramatic text is divided into two sections, ACTS and

Now you try! Write a short script that includes dialogue and conflict. It can

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A Lesson on the Elements of Drama Literature and Composition

What is Drama? n Drama is written to be performed by actors. The script consists of dialogue and monologue and stage directions.

Types of Plays… Comedy – a humorous play with a happy ending n Tragedy – a play in which a hero suffers a major downfall n Drama – a serious play, although the consequences are not as dire as those in a tragedy n

Dialogue and Monologue n n Dialogue – a conversation between two or more characters Monologue – a lengthy speech that one character addresses to others on a stage

What is this an example of ? ISMENE: Antigone, you are mad! What could I possibly do? ANTIGONE: You must decide whether you will help me or not. ISMENE: I do not understand you. Help you in what?

Monologue vs. Soliloquy n A soliloquy is a long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage n A monologue is a speech by one character in a play, story, or poem. A monologue may be addressed to another character or to the audience.

Aside A speech directed to the audience that supposedly is not audible to the other characters onstage at the time. n TYPE of monologue. n EXAMPLE: Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell n

Plot n Plot – series of events n n Incidents in a story that shape the action and give the story a particular focus. Plot is not just what happens, but also how and why things happen the way they do. (Label the plot chart below!)

Conflict A conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces. n Types: n n n Internal – a character in conflict with himself or herself External – a character struggles against an outside force

Structure of a Drama A dramatic text is divided into two sections, ACTS and SCENES. n ACT – larger unit of a play. Nearly all Shakespearian plays have five acts. n SCENE – smaller unit of a play. Multiple scenes are in each act. n EXAMPLE: Act I, scene ii (First Act, second scene) n

Now you try! Write a short script that includes dialogue and conflict. It can be a comedy or a tragedy. You must have at least 10 lines of dialogue. You can work with a partner! n Be creative! n