ENGL 2306 20 January 2014 Todays Plan Announcements

ENGL 2306 20 January 2014

Today’s Plan • • Announcements Discuss/turn in homework In class writing What is drama? Why do we study it? How do we read it? Elements of Drama Reading Journals

Announcements • Writing Center • Email • Poor weather plan

Homework • How did it go? • What was most difficult for you in drafting the assignment? • Share your experiences.

In Class Writing • What is the first thing you think of when you hear the term drama? Why do you think that is your first thought?

What is Drama? • “art of representing, for the pleasure of others, events that have happened or we have imagined happening” • Both entertains and instructs • PERFORMANCE—almost all plays are written for the purpose of being performed • Aristotle—MIMESIS—imitation of action

Why do we study drama? • Illusion of reality • “literary mirrors in which we can examine human nature” • Greeks: representation/interpretation of myth…help audience internalize important cultural ideas • Wider use now but it still helps us understand cultures---both our own and other cultures

How do we read drama? Be sure not so skim over stage directions and notes Pay careful attention to who is speaking Try to visualize the performance whenever possible Be aware that you are making choices about how you read the play as you read. • We are always interpreting—each reading is different, each performance will be different. • •

Elements of Drama • Plot • Setting—can differ from the time period and place the play was written • Dialogue—including monologues (to audience) and soliloquys (to oneself) • Music—often difficult to analyze when the play is not performed (unless lyrics are presented or we are familiar with the music described) • Movement • Theme • Characterization

Reading Journals • First due 1/27 • Respond to a prompt posted on the discussion board within Black. Board (I will show you Thursday…or post screen shots on the blog) • Prompts will be posted the Friday before the journal is due (Tuesdays) • Your post (200 words) is due by class time on the Tuesdays noted on the syllabus • You must respond THOUGHTFULLY to another group member by 11: 59 PM on Tuesday • Agree/disagree with reasoning • Ask thoughtful questions • Approximately 100 words

Thursday • • Writing about drama Finding sources Questions about reading journals Fingers crossed for no snow day—online back up plan if there is