1. dramatic structure Page 36
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dramatic structure Page 36

2. Dramatic Structure

3. a play’s sequence of events, often represented on/by a triangle

4. Dramatic Structure
1. Exposition
is off the triangle

5. #1--Exposition
What we know about the play before the real action starts
It can come from the dialogue
It can come from visual elements
costumes, setting, or props
It can come from the program
It is off the triangle

6. #1--Exposition All the background so we can understand the play:
who is protagonist [main character]?
who is the antagonist?
what is the setting, including season & time of day?
what is the basic conflict?

7. #1--Exposition Examples
Romeo & Juliet
R&J = dual protagonist
setting = Verona
Basic conflicts = R&J’s families hate one another
Season = summer
Juliet’s dad is having a party

8. Exposition “The Three Little Pigs”
3 Pigs get kicked out of their homes by Mom
Each pig must go his own way & build his own cozy home

9. On page 37 in your notebook, please select 2 of the following to complete:
Some of the components of exposition are ___ and ___.
An example of an expositional element from a play is ___.
One can find information about the exposition from ___ and ___.
Exposition is ___.
Collect cards from really great students

10. Dramatic Structure
2. Inciting Incident

11. #2--Inciting Incident Point at which the story actually begins
Inciting incident = Exciting incident

12. #2--Inciting Incident
So important that most playwrights wave a flag just before it's introduced
They do this with a
(Pause) stage direction
(General stage direction) involving a physical action
note that stage directions are usually in italics

13. #2--Inciting Incident Examples
When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time
When Macbeth meets up with 3 Witches who tell him that he will be king
When Oedipus sends for Tiresius who says to back off on the search for the killer

14. Inciting Incident “The Three Little Pigs”
The wolf wants some lunch...and blows on the first pig’s door

15. Dramatic Structure
3. Rising Action

16. #3--Rising Action
All the important events that occur before the climax
All series of events that lead up to the most important moment in the play
Short plays have few events
Long plays have more events
Typically you will be asked to record for any play we analyze
FYI: Don’t write this...

17. Rising Action “The Three Little Pigs”
Pig #1 goes to Pig #2 and seeks shelter
Wolf comes & blows down #2’s house
Pigs #1 & #2 whine to Pig #3 for shelter
Wolf tries to blow down #3’s house

18. On page 25 in your notebook, please select 1 of the following to complete:
Critical attributes of dramatic structure include___ and ___.
An example of an inciting incident is ___.
The key components of an inciting incident include ___ and ___.
To define the rising action of a play, it is necessary to understand ___ because ___.

19. On page ... in your notebook, please select 2 of the following to complete:
Critical attributes of dramatic structure include___ and ___.
An example of an inciting incident is ___.
The key components of an inciting incident include ___ and ___.
To define the rising action of a play, it is necessary to understand ___ because ___.

20. Dramatic Structure
4. Climax

21. #4--Climax Most exciting/intense moment on stage
Turning point for protagonist
change for protagonist--for better or for worse

22. #4--Climax Examples Most exciting/intense moment on stage
Characters may
die [all bad guys in Shakespearean tragedy]
express their passion for one another
reveal something alarming [Oh no, I have been sleeping with my mother and we have children?!]
do something alarming based on that information [stab out their eyes, kill someone, kill themselves]

23. Climax “The Three Little Pigs”
Wolf goes down chimney
will he eat the pigs?
will he get trapped in the pot of boiling water?

24. Dramatic Structure
4. Falling Action

25. #4--Falling Action
All the events/action that happen right after the climax
May be a moment of final suspense in which final outcome of conflict is in doubt

26. #4--Falling Action Examples
Juliet awakens and offs herself
Macbeth’s head is displayed on a stick
Rizzo tells Kenickie she’s not pregnant

27. Falling Action“The Three Little Pigs”
Soup’s on at the pig # 3’s house

28. Dramatic Structure
5. Resolution

29. #5--Resolution How the story ends How the conflict is finally resolved
How the order is restored
Come full circle

30. #5--Resolution Examples
Romeo & Juliet’s family must forgive one another
A new king is crowned/name as order is restored
Sandy & Danny ride off in Greased Lightning Car

31. Resolution“The Three Little Pigs”
Pigs realize they must work together
Mom says she’s proud