1. The Elements of Drama
7th Grade Language Arts

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

3. Drama Comes from the Greek Word, “Dran” Means “To do” or “To Act”
The Doing/Acting Makes Drama

4. Drama…
…is a story told in front of an audience

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

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

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

8. Stage Directions Found in brackets [ ]
Describe scenery and how characters speak
C, Center Stage
L, Stage Left
R, Stage Right
U, Upstage or Rear
D, Downstage or Front

9. Theatre
Where a play takes place

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

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

12. Characterization
Is the playwright’s technique for creating believable characters.
Indirect
Direct

13. Types of Drama
Drama is used to describe plays that address a serious subject.

14. Types of Drama
Comedy is a form of drama that has a happy ending. Humor comes from the dialogue and situations.

15. Types of Drama
Tragedy is a form of drama in which events lead to the downfall of the main character, often a person of great significance, like a king or hero.

16. Conflict
Problem of the Play. A.K.A. a disagreement between characters or ideas in a play.

17. Costumes

18. Dialogue

19. Improvisation To adlib or invent dialogue not in the script.
Improve video

20. Mimicry The act or practice of imitating another person or action.
Example. Someone is talking and someone in the back is pretending to say the same thing and perform the same actions.

21. Monologue
A dramatic presentation made by one person, also called a soliloguy.