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Introducing Drama Texts
Developing Reading Skills
What is a drama
text?
Objectives:
To know the features of a
drama text.
To understand the
difference between types of
drama texts.
What is Drama?
Drama texts are written for actors who play the
characters and perform the dialogue and action.
Drama scripts are used for plays, radio performances,
television and films and each type of script contains
different features. Read the opening scene of
Shakespeare’s Macbeth on the following slide.
Stage Script - Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 1
SCENE I. A desert place.
Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches
First Witch:
When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch:
When the hurlyburly's done,
When the battle's lost and won.
Third Witch:
That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch:
Where the place?
Second Witch:
Upon the heath.
Third Witch:
There to meet with Macbeth.
Stage Script - Macbeth
First Witch
I come, Graymalkin!
Second Witch
Paddock calls.
Third Witch
Anon.
ALL
Fair is foul, and foul
is fair: Hover through
the fog and filthy air.
Exeunt
Script in performance
Click on the link below to watch a performance of
Macbeth, Act I, Scene i
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFydNpk2Y4I
What are the features of a stage script?
Act 1, Scene 1
SCENE I. A desert place.
Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches
First Witch:
When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch:
When the hurlyburly's done,
When the battle's lost and won.
Third Witch:
That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch:
Where the place?
Second Witch:
Upon the heath.
Third Witch:
There to meet with Macbeth.
Features of a stage play
A play is set out very differently from a novel or a
poem and contains different features. Could you
explain what these features are? Complete the
sentences below.
Stage Directions are…
Characters are are…
Dialogue is…
Spot the difference
Think about the features of stage play we discussed earlier.
What is the difference between a script and a short story or
novel?
Short story
Script
Feedback your findings.
Why are these features needed in a play?
Plenary
A drama text contains a number of different features.
Using the notes you made on the previous slide
write a paragraph explaining how a playscript is different
from a story.