Analyzing Structure of a Drama JOHNSON 4 22

Analyzing Structure of a Drama JOHNSON 4 – 22 – 2020 "HAPPY EARTH DAY"

Lesson Objectives Develop an understanding of the structure and elements of drama, including acts, scenes, characterization, dialogue, and stage directions. Analyze the ways in which a drama's structure helps an author organize ideas and convey meaning.

Identifying a text's setting, characters, plot and theme Recognizing the general structure of a text The Learning Progression Explaining how a particular act, scene, set of stage directions, or line of dialogue functions within a larger text Describing how a particular act, scene, set of stage directions, or line of dialogue contributes to a text's setting, characters, plot, or theme. Grade 8 will be where you will deepen your understanding of form and its impact by comparing texts and considering how form contributes to the meaning of each.

• A drama or play has other story elements as well as characters, setting, and plot. • Drama contains dialogue, or characters' spoken words, and a stage directions, information about how characters speak or move and descriptions of setting. Genre Focus – Literary Text: Drama • Dramas are divided into acts that are further divided into scenes. They are acted out on a stage. They use a script with dialogue and stage directions. A script tells each character, or actor, what to say. • A script may include a monologue, or a speech that one character says to other characters. Or it may have a soliloquy, which is a speech that a character directs to the audience that reveals the character's feelings. • Stage directions are often shown in a separate format such as in an italicized font. It describes the setting and tell the actors how to speak, move, or behave on stage.

Let's Tap Your Prior Knowledge Mr. Davidson spoke out loudly at the meeting, voicing his concerns about the proposed stadium. Can you tell us what character traits might describe Mr. Davidson?

Let's Tap Your Prior Knowledge Mr. Davidson (fervently): A stadium of this size will bring increased traffic to our neighborhood, negatively affecting our quality of life! Moderator: Your comments will be included in our community response, Mr. Davidson. Can you identify the tone of voice used by Mr. Davidson and words that show his level of concern? What kind of stage direction or setting would you want for this scene?

1. Cast of Characters – The actors in a drama or play (must have a protagonist & antagonist). 2. Setting – When and where the story takes place (time & location). The 5 Elements of Drama 3. Dialogue – The lines that the actors speak (conversation between characters). 4. Stage Directions – The instructions that tell the actors what to do on stage. 5. Acts and Scenes – • Acts – Divide the play into smaller parts like chapters in a book • Scenes – Divide the acts each time the setting changes

Matilda on Broadway – Opening Scene "Revolting Children" Can you tell me about setting, characters and plot?