DRAMA
Reading
and
Literature Notes
Textbook p. 245-249
Drama
• What are we going to learn?
– Understand and identify Drama
terms
– Understand and appreciate Drama
Drama
• 1 of 5 major genres
• Characters and plot are developed through
dialogue and action
• Drama is intended to be performed for an
audience
What does Drama look like?
• Script
– A drama is written in a special form
called a script.
• Stage Directions and Dialogue
• TV, movies, videos, and on stage
Key Elements of Drama
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Stage Directions
Plot
Character
Dialogue
Stage Directions
• Instructions for the director, actors, and
stage crew.
• Printed in italics and parentheses
– (Move downstage left.)
Stage Directions
• Tell the actors how to speak and move.
• Describe the scenery and props
– Scenery: items onstage to create setting
– Props: objects actors use onstage
• Lighting and Sound
The Stage
Plot
• Sequence of events in the drama
• Scenes and Acts
– Scenes change when the setting
changes
– Some scenes are grouped into acts
Character
• Cast
– A list of the characters at the
beginning of the script.
– The list usually has a brief
description of the character.
Character
• Narrator
– One of the characters may be a
narrator that sets the scene for the
drama.
– The narrator may comment
throughout the drama.
Character
• Foil
– A contrast to the main character
Dialogue
• Conversation between characters
• A drama is composed of mostly dialogue
• Dialogue reveals the plot and the
characters’ personalities.
Strategies for Reading Drama
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Read the play silently.
Read the stage directions carefully.
Get to know the characters.
Keep track of the plot.
Read the play aloud with others.