1. Elements of Drama
Literature
Lovelace

2. What is a Drama?
A Drama, or a play is a story written to be performed by actors.
It features Characters, conflicts and a plot.
Dialogue: speech of the characters; tells the story; voice of the narrator.

3. Drama Acts or scenes are the basic units of drama.
A drama can consist of one or more acts which can contain any number of scenes.
Playwright: Author of a play; writes the script.
Script: The text of the play; contains the dialogue and stage directions.

4. Stage Directions
Stage Directions tell how the work is supposed to be performed or staged.
Provides details about the set, lighting, sound effects, props, costumes, and acting.
Often printed in italics and are bracketed.
Example: O.S means off stage, D.S means downstage or closer to the audience

5. Sets and Props
Sets: The constructions that set the scene for the drama.
They can represent the historical period of the play or just simply the mood or theme.
A set may include: painted backdrops, frames, or trap doors.
Props are movable objects like swords or pens that actors use onstage .

6. Dramatic Effect & Theme
All the elements of drama combine in a performance to produce the vivid illusion of reality known as the Dramatic Effect.
Through this effect, the dramatist explores a theme, or a insight into life.

7. Types of Drama Ancient Greeks developed drama.
They created two types of plays: Tragedy and Comedy .
A Tragedy shows the downfall or death of a tragic hero, the main character.
A Comedy has a happy ending, usually after and amusing series of predicaments.

8. More Tragedy
In ancient Greek drama, the hero was the outstanding person brought down by a tragic flaw.
Tragic Flaw: A mistaken action or defect in the character.
Greek tragedy included a chorus, or a group of performers who commented on the action.

9. Comedy
While tragedy has a happy ending and emphasizes human greatness, comedy stresses the weaknesses of ordinary people or of society itself.

10. Dialogue Helps develop characters and further the plot.
In addition to dialogue involving conversations between two or more characters, dramatists use these types of Dramatic Speech: monologue, soliloquy, and aside.

11. Types of Dramatic Speeches
Monologue: a long, uninterrupted speech delivered by a character to other character onstage but remain quiet. Example: Romeo’s speech to Juliet
Soliloquy: a speech in which a character who is usually alone on stage reveals private thoughts that the audience is allowed to overhear.
Aside: a brief remark in which a character expresses private thoughts to the audience rather than to the characters.

12. Types of Characters
Protagonist- the character the story revolves around.
Antagonist- the character or force that opposes the protagonist.
Minor Character- the character that often provides support and illuminates the protagonist.

13. Types of Characters Flat/Static Character- A character
that remains the same.
Round/Dynamic Character- A character that changes in some important way due to the conflict of the plot.

14. Characterization Indirect Characterization- Characterization-
The author provides clues about a character by describing what a character looks like, does, and says, as well as how other characters react to him or her.
The more effective indirect characterizations usually result from what the characters do or speak.
Characterization-
The act of creating and developing a character.
Direct Characterization-
The author directly states a character’s traits.

15. Elements of Plot
1) Exposition- Background information regarding the setting, characters, conflict.
2) Rising Action- The process the story follows as the main conflict builds.
3) Climax- the high point of interest or suspense.
4) Falling Action- the events that occur because of the climax.
5) Denouement/Resolution- the resolution of the story. 3 2 4 5 1

16. More elements of plot
Foreshadowing- When the writer clues the reader in to something that will eventually occur in the story; it may be explicit (obvious) or implied (disguised).
Suspense- The tension that the author uses to create a feeling of discomfort about the unknown.

17. Irony
Irony- the difference between appearance and reality (what is expected and what actually happens).
Verbal Irony- words are used to create the opposite of what is meant. (Similar to sarcasm)
Dramatic Irony- there is a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the audience knows to be true.
Situational Irony- an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters or audience.