A Lesson on the Elements of Drama

1
A Lesson on the Elements of Drama

• Literature and Composition

2
What is Drama?

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

3
Types of Plays

• Comedy a humorous play with a happy ending
• Tragedy a play in which a hero suffers a major
  downfall
• Drama a serious play, although the consequences
  are not as dire as those in a tragedy

4
Dialogue and Monologue

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

5
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?

6
Monologue vs. Soliloquy

• A soliloquy is a long speech expressing the
  thoughts of a character alone on stage
• 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.

7
Aside

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

8
Plot

• Plot series of events
• 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!)

9
Conflict

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

10
Structure of a Drama

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

11
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!
• Be creative!