1. Elements of Drama Literature in Action

2. A Shared Experience Literature of all kinds can help us see, explore, and come to know ourselves and our world. Literature of all kinds can help us see, explore, and come to know ourselves and our world. Drama speaks to us in a unique way; it brings stories to life. Drama speaks to us in a unique way; it brings stories to life. Many people are involved in bringing a playwright’s work to life: Many people are involved in bringing a playwright’s work to life: The producer, the director, the actors, the set and lighting designers, and even the audience share in the act of creation.

3. Basic Dramatic Principles The first question to ask in thinking about a dramatic work is: The first question to ask in thinking about a dramatic work is: WHO WANTS WHAT? WHO WANTS WHAT? The character who wants something is opposed by another character or force. The character who wants something is opposed by another character or force. Based on your knowledge of literature, what is this opposition known as? CONFLICT The person with “the want” drives the action of the play.

4. Basic Dramatic Principles Additional problems are also known as complications. Additional problems are also known as complications. The climax is the moment of greatest emotional intensity. The climax is the moment of greatest emotional intensity. The climax is followed by the resolution, when the conflict is resolved and the story comes to a close. The climax is followed by the resolution, when the conflict is resolved and the story comes to a close.

5. Basic Dramatic Principles In review, the four steps that make up the basic dramatic principles are: In review, the four steps that make up the basic dramatic principles are: 1) conflict 1) conflict 2) complications 2) complications 3) climax 3) climax 4) resolution 4) resolution

6. Conflict Example A lawyer who is down on her luck gets one last chance to prove her worth by defending a shady-looking client. If she loses this case, she’s through. A lawyer who is down on her luck gets one last chance to prove her worth by defending a shady-looking client. If she loses this case, she’s through. On your sheet, sum up the conflict here in your own words.

7. Complications Arise… While hunting down the important testimony, she finds that her life is threatened. At the same time she must overcome her own doubts about her client’s innocence. While hunting down the important testimony, she finds that her life is threatened. At the same time she must overcome her own doubts about her client’s innocence. On your sheet, explain the complications that have arose.

8. Climax Finally, in a dramatic courtroom scene, she brilliantly cross-examines a witness and proves that he is lying. On your sheet, explain the climax.

9. Resolution The jury acquits her client. The conflict is resolved: The lawyer is back on top of her profession. On your sheet, explain the resolution in your own words.

10. Characters in Crisis Every play centers on a crisis, a situation of danger or difficulty that places at risk something of great value to the characters: life, love, family pride, anything that is precious to them. Every play centers on a crisis, a situation of danger or difficulty that places at risk something of great value to the characters: life, love, family pride, anything that is precious to them.

11. Characters in Crisis A crisis may arise because… A crisis may arise because… The characters want something for which they must struggle with someone else or with themselves. The characters want something for which they must struggle with someone else or with themselves.OR The characters want to remove a threat to their safety or happiness. The characters want to remove a threat to their safety or happiness.

12. Making a Change Most plays are about change in: Most plays are about change in: the characters and the characters and in their relationships. in their relationships.

13. Dramatic Irony: Knowing the Future Irony is a contrast between expectation and reality. Irony is a contrast between expectation and reality. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience watching a play know something that the characters onstage do not know. This sometimes includes what awaits them in the future. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience watching a play know something that the characters onstage do not know. This sometimes includes what awaits them in the future. Example – a play about the Titanic. Example – a play about the Titanic.

14. The Shock of Recognition If a play succeeds, we feel what has been called the shock of recognition – meaning we recognize behaviors or characteristics of people onstage within ourselves or people we know. If a play succeeds, we feel what has been called the shock of recognition – meaning we recognize behaviors or characteristics of people onstage within ourselves or people we know. Examples: Examples: We laugh when the foolish behavior of a character reminds us of ourselves. We laugh when the foolish behavior of a character reminds us of ourselves. We cry when the anguish of a character reminds us of something we have gone through. We cry when the anguish of a character reminds us of something we have gone through.