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.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

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

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

• Participants

• People

• Cast

• Props

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

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.7.5

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

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.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

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

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.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.10