The Basic Elements of Drama

What is the definition of drama?

• A specialized kind of story that is meant to be performed

• Literature in the form of prose that includes imaginary events, people, and/or places

• Prose writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people

• Literary work, special intensity given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

The people (characters) in a play are referred to as ________.

• Participants

• People

• Cast

• Props

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

A drama is divided into ________, which are like chapters in fiction and nonfiction. These divisions help organize time and location for the reader or viewer of a drama.

• paragraphs

• scenes

• stanzas

• verses

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

What are stage directions?

• a list of all the things that should be part of the action of each scene

• a list of characters and descriptions of each of the characters

• instructions provided for the audience to assist them with locating the stage

• an instruction in the text of a drama, often indicating the movement, position, or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

Setting refers to two different elements in any story - the _______ & the _______.

• character(s), place

• time, place

• time, conflict

• place, theme

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

When characters speak to one another, this is referred to as _________.

• conversation

• dialogue

• argument

• exchange

Answer explanation

Dialogue literally means "through words" - dia + logos. When only one character speaks - often no one else on stage and speaking to him/herself - this is a monologue, or "one (mono) + words (logos)."

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

In your own words, how is the approach to reading a drama different from reading a novel, an article, or a poem? (3-5 sentences)

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7