D1, Section 3: Drama

• Features of Drama: all important in setting the tone and contributing to the mood

  1. Writing intended to be performed by actors for an audience
  2. Script combines dialogue with stage directions
  3. When reading drama, "set the stage" in your mind by visualizing scenery, lighting, costumes, and actors


  Key Terms:

  1. Dialogue - words actors say
  2. Stage Directions - author's comments on how and where the actors should move and speak
  3. Tone - general character or attitude of a piece or situation, etc.
  4. Mood - general feeling or atmosphere that a piece of writing creates within the reader
• Types of Plays:

  • Not all plays are same in tone, style, or message
  • According to Aristole's "The Poetics," plays should have unity of time, place, or action
  • some plays employ the technique of beginning in media res., meaning in the middle of things


  Key Terms: (note: Comedy-tragedy ex. - "Romeo and Juliet")

  1. Comedy - a humorous play with a happy ending
  2. Tragedy - a play in which a hero suffers a major downfall; ex. of tragedy: death
  3. Drama - a serious play, although the consequences aren't necessarily as dire as those in tragedy; not as sad as tragedy, but not lighthearted like comedy
• Plot and Conflict: are two important aspects of a play

  • In a story / play, the plot revolves around tension builds to the climax and, by the final scene, conflict has been resolved - either happily or unhappily - for the main characters


  Key Terms:

  1. Play - much like a short story, contains a plot involving a conflict that one or more characters face
  2. Plot - a series of events
  3. Conflict - a problem; is introduced early in play, perhaps in opening scene
• Stage Directions:

  1. Stage Directions - the instruments for performing the play and the descriptions of settings, characters, and actions

  • helpful in visualizing a play when reading dramatic literature