Elements of Drama
Plot:
The order of events occurring in a play make its plot. Without a plot, it is difficult to create
a compelling drama. To a large extent, the success of a dramatic play depends on how the events
of the play unfold. Plot is essential to drama because it takes the audience on a journey. We become
immersed and want to know the outcome.
An additional concept to consider relating to the plot of a play is the common convention
of the play beginning in the middle of the action. The Greeks referred to this convention as “in
medias res” literally in the midst of things. A literary advantage for drama beginning in medias
res is that without an exposition, the dramatic tension and conflict is presented immediately to the
audience, which is more conducive to live performance.
Generally, a plot consists of an exposition or introduction, rising action, climax, falling
action and resolution.
Exposition or Introduction: This is the beginning of the story, where characters and setting
are established. The conflict or main problem is introduced as well.
Rising Action: Rising action which occurs when a series of events build up to the conflict.
The main characters are established by the time the rising action of a plot occurs, and at the same
time, events begin to get complicated. It is during this part of a story that excitement, tension, or
crisis is encountered.
Climax: In the climax, or the main point of the plot, there is a turning point of the story.
This is meant to be the moment of highest interest and emotion, leaving the reader wondering what
is going to happen next.
Falling Action: Falling action, or the winding up of the story, occurs when events and
complications begin to resolve. The result of the actions of the main characters are put forward.
Resolution: Resolution, or the conclusion, is the end of a story, which may occur with
either a happy or a tragic ending.
Dialogue:
This refers to the words written by the playwright and spoken by the characters in the play.
The dialogue helps move the action of the play along. The story of a play is taken forward by
means of dialogs. The story is narrated to the audiences through the interaction between the play’s
characters, which is in the form of dialogs. The contents of the dialogs and the quality of their
delivery have a major role to play in the impact that the play has on the audiences. It is through
the dialogs between characters that the story can be understood. They are important in revealing
the personalities of the characters. The words used, the accent, tone, pattern of speech, and even
the pauses in speech, say a lot about the character and help reveal not just his personality, but also
his social status, past, and family background as given by the play. Monologues and soliloquies
that are speeches given to oneself or to other characters help put forward points that would have
been difficult to express through dialogs.
Note:
Monologue is a long speech made by one actor; may be delivered alone or in the presence of
others.
Aside is spoken by a character to another character or to audience and it is not heard by the other
characters on the stage. Aside reveal what a character is thinking and feeling.
Soliloquy is used in to reveal the innermost thoughts of a character. It is a great technique used to
convey the progress of action of the play , by means of expressing a character’s thoughts about a
certain character or past, present, or upcoming event, while talking to himself without
acknowledging the presence of any other person.
Character:
The characters that form a part of the story are interwoven with the plot of the drama. Each
character in a play has a personality of its own and a set of principles and beliefs. Actors in the
play have the responsibility of bringing the characters to life. The main character in the play who
the audience identifies with, is the protagonist. He/she represents the theme of the play. The
character that the protagonist conflicts with, is the antagonist or villain. While some characters
play an active role throughout the story, some are only meant to take the story forward and some
others appear only in certain parts of the story and may or may not have a significant role in it.
Sometimes, these characters are of help in making the audiences focus on the play’s theme or main
characters. The way in which the characters are portrayed and developed is known as
characterization.
Characterization may be direct or indirect.
Direct Characterization
When the playwright TELLS the audience what the personality of a character is.
Indirect Characterization (STEAL)
S- Speech
T- Thoughts
E- Effect on others
A- Action
L- Looks
When the playwright SHOWS the audience things that reveal the personality of the
character
Note:
When analyzing character , the terms dialogue , monologue , and soliloquy take on
increased importance. Conversation between two or more characters is referred to as dialogue
(usually the majority of speech in plays consists of dialogue). A monologue is when one character
delivers a speech to convey his or her thoughts, although other characters may remain on stage in
scene. Similar to a monologue, a soliloquy is a speech made by one character but delivered when
he or she is alone on stage.
Types of Characters: ( Research)
Protagonist- Antagonist
Flat-Round
Static- Dynamic
Foil- Stock
Setting:
The time and place where a story is set is one of its important parts. The era or time in
which the incidents in the play take place, influence the characters in their appearance and
personalities. The time setting may affect the central theme of the play, the issues raised (if any),
the conflict, and the interactions between the characters. The historical and social context of the
play is also defined by the time and place where it is set. The time period and the location in which
the story is set, affect the play’s staging. Costumes and makeup, the backgrounds and the furniture
used, the visuals (colors and kind of lighting), and the sound are among the important elements of
a play that dictate how the story is translated into a stage performance.
(SPECTACLE) All the visuals represented in the play. Represents everything you see: set,
costumes, lights.
Lighting: the arrangement of lights to achieve particular effects in order to help create mood or
tone in a play.
Sound: the effects an audience hears during a performance to communicate character, context, or
environment.
Set Design: everything on the stage including furniture and props, and environment in which the
action of a play occurs.
Costumes: the clothing worn by the actors who play the characters. Oftentimes, these help to
establish characterizations, mood, and tone.
Music/Rhythm:
This element includes the use of sounds and rhythm in dialogs as well as music
compositions that are used in the plays. The background score, the songs, and the sound effects
used should complement the situation and the characters in it. The right kind of sound effects or
music, if placed at the right points in the story, act as a great supplement to the high and low points
in the play. The music and the lyrics should go well with the play’s theme. If the scenes are
accompanied by pieces of music, they become more effective on the audiences.
SETTING, SPECTACLE AND RHYTHM ALL CONTRIBUTES TO THE GENERAL
MEANING OF THE PLAY
Conflict:
The internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests that creates dramatic
tension.
External Conflict:
Character vs. Character- When one character has a problem with another character in the story.
External Conflict:
Character vs. Nature- When the character is opposed by a natural force
External Conflict:
Character vs. Society - When the character has a problem with the society--such as laws, culture,
or social norms
Internal Conflict
Character vs. Self - When the character struggles with a decision or his/her own identity
Theme:
While plot refers to the action of the play, theme refers to the meaning of the play. Theme
is the main idea or lesson to be learned from the play. In some cases, the theme of a play is obvious;
other times it is quite subtle.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
As always, attention to the use of figurative language whether presented in dialogue
between characters or in monologue or soliloquy, will end layers of depth and add compelling
specificity to any analysis and a robust consideration of the historical context including relevant
social issues or cultural norms (or resistance to those norms) represented directly or indirectly in
the play will demonstrate a more advanced level of critical thinking. (
What Makes Great Drama?
Drama is created when all these key elements come together. In some plays, TV shows or films,
they might focus more on one element than the other. But both character-driven and plot-driven
stories require creative and competent people to make them work.
Plot, character, tension, language and spectacle are evident in all of the best plays, TV shows and
films. These elements form the basis of any great drama and it is interesting to see how different
artists use them to tell a story.
Meta-description: What makes a great dramatic play, film or TV show? What is the special
ingredient? In this blog learn about the key elements of drama.