The Elements of Drama 6th Grade Language Arts

Essential Question How does drama provide the reader a different experience than prose (short stories, novels) or poetry? How is drama different from television?

Drama … … is a story told in front of an audience; plays that address a serious subject.

4 Elements of Drama Playwright-the author of a play Actors-the people who perform Acts-the units of action Scenes-parts of the acts

2 Types of Dramatic Speech Dialogue - conversation between or among characters Monologue - long speech by one single character (private thoughts)

Conflict The internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests that create dramatic tension.

Stage Directions Found in brackets ( ) Usually italicized Describe scenery and how characters speak Milo: This is weird! I don’t recognize any of this scenery at all. (A sign is held up before Mile, startling him.) Huh? (reads) welcome to expectations. Information, predictions and advise cheerfully offered. Park here and blow horn.

Theatre/Stage Where a play takes place “The Setting”

Set Construction on the stage that shows time/place Could be called Scenery

Props Small movable items that the actors use to make actions look real

Characterization the playwright’s technique for creating believable characters. Indirect - emotions Direct – actions Protagonist – good guy/hero of the story Antagonist – bad guy/villain of the story

Narrator the voice that moves the story along, sometimes played by a Chorus.

2 Types of Drama Comedy - has a happy ending. Humor comes from the dialogue and situations.

Types of Drama Tragedy - events lead to the downfall of the main character like a king or hero.