Common Elements of Drama

The time and location of a story.

• Act

• Scene

• Setting

• Characterization

The central message, or statement about life around which the playwright builds the play.

• Subject

• Line

• Plot

• Theme

A group of two or more scenes that form a major division of a play

• Act

• Plot

• Scene

• Stage directions

The conversation between characters in a play.

• Dialogue

• Monologue

• Cast of characters

• Conflict

A horizontal row of printed words as in poetry or intended for a character to speak in dramatic literature.

• Cast of characters

• Stage directions

• Footnote

• Line

A speech by one character that is alone on the stage

• Dialogue

• Theme

• Monologue

• Setting

Describes the details of the setting and also gives sound effects, lighting and how characters/actors are to speak their lines, move, look and behave.

• Props

• Stage directions

• Setting

• Cast of characters

A list of characters featured in the play

• Footnote

• Cast of characters

• Conflict

• Narrator

Additional information included by an author or playwright and the bottom of the page and usually references by a number in the text.

• Footnote

• Plot

• Stage directions

• Setting

Strategically placed objects on the stage to contribute to the overall meaning of the play.

• Line

• Dialogue

• Props

• Act