Let's Review: Structural Elements of Drama

Which two features below are found only in a script for a play and would not be found in a story?

• Description provided by a narrator.

• Events that tell what happen.

• Stage directions.

• Dialogue between characters.

• Cast of characters.

Read the drama "The Talker" on Page 337 of your ReadyNC Text.

Identify the cast of characters in the drama.

• The Surly Chefs: Head Chef, Chef 2, and Chef 3.

• Clarisse (6th Grade Student), Mother (Charisse's Mother)

• Wilbur, Roy, Glen, and a Mummy.

• Young Light, Father Light, Mother Light.

Read the drama "The Talker" on Page 337 of your ReadyNC Text.

Identify the setting in the drama.

• 1932, a hotel kitchen.

• The inside of a pyramid in Egypt.

• A colorful, cloud filled sky at late evening.

• A bare stage with a kitchen table, four chairs, and a refrigerator.

A drama, or play, is meant to be performed on a stage for an audience. Actors learn their parts by reading from a script. True or false?

• True.

• False.

What is the purpose of stage directions in a drama or play?

• The stage directions tell the actors who appears in the play with them.

• The stage directions tell the actors when and where the drama or play takes place.

• The stage directions tell the actors how to act and speak, or what should happen on stage.

• The stage directions tell the actors exactly what they should say on stage.

Read the drama "The Talker" on Page 337 of your ReadyNC Text.

According to the script, why does Clarisse's mother tell her to get off the phone?

• Clarisse has to get ready for school.

• Clarisse has to get ready for bed.

• Clarisse has to complete her homework.

• Clarisse has to host the talk show "Talk Time."

Read the drama "The Talker" on Page 337 of your ReadyNC Text.

According to the script, why is Clarisse's mother upset with her?

• Line 7: "Clarisse, all you do all day is talk, talk, talk!"

• Line 5: "You can tell her all about it at school tomorrow, but tonight is not the time."

• Line 8: "But Mom, talking isn't so bad, you know."

• Line 15: "Wow! That's great!"

Read the drama "The Talker" on Page 337 of your ReadyNC Text.

According to the script, what surprise does Clarisse reveal at the end of the drama?

• Clarisse reveals that she earned A Honor Roll at school.

• Clarisse reveals that she is going to be the host of a live radio talk show at school.

• Clarisse reveals that she does not have any more homework to complete.

• Clarisse reveals that she got in trouble at school for talking so much.

What is the purpose of dialogue in a drama or play?

• The purpose of dialogue is to tell when and where the drama takes places.

• The purpose of dialogue is to tell the actors how to act and speak, or what should happen on stage.

• The purpose of dialogue is to give details about how the characters or setting look.

• The purpose of dialogue is to tell exactly what the actors say on stage.

Read the drama "The Talker" on Page 337 of your ReadyNC Text.

In Line 9, the stage directions say: [flipping through her magazine, clearly annoyed]

How should Clarisse's mother perform her part?

• Clarisse's mother should flip through the magazine while smiling happily at her daughter.

• Clarisse's mother should flip through the magazine while listening to her daughter talk on the phone.

• Clarisse's mother should close the magazine and walk away from the kitchen table.

• Clarisse's mother should flip through the magazine and show with her actions that she is annoyed that Clarisse is always talking.