2. What is drama? The word drama comes from the Greek word for “action.” Drama is a form of literature designed to be performed in front of an audience.

3. DRAMA Consists of two types of writing The dialogue that the characters speak The stage directions that tell the actors how to move and speak, describing the sets and props Can be presented in two ways As literature, the text of the play itself As performance, the production of the play in a theater

4. Two Types of Drama Comedy A serious work of drama in which the hero suffers a catastrophe or serious misfortune, usually because of his own actions shows the downfall or death of a tragic hero, or main character. In ancient Greek plays, the hero was a good person brought down by a tragic flaw, or defect in character. In a modern plays, the hero can be an normal person destroyed by an evil in society. emphasizes human greatness. Tragedy A humorous work of drama usually shows a conflict between a young hero and an older authority. Typical comedies involve confusion, jokes, and a happy ending. stresses human weaknesses.

5. How is a play written? The author of a play is called a playwright. Everything a playwright writes must appear onstage. A play in written form is called a script. The playwright must write the dialogue, or conversation between two or more characters, as well as the stage directions, which tells how the play is to be performed.

6. Stage directions Stage directions are italicized comments that identify parts of the setting (where and when a scene takes place ) or the use of props or costumes, give further information about a character, or provide background information They usually describe how the characters should say their lines, and how the characters should move onstage. They may explain the character’s mood or how the character is feeling.

7. How is a play divided? A play is largely divided up into parts, or acts. The number of acts in a production can range from one to five, depending on how a writer structures the outline of the story. All of Shakespeare’s plays have five acts. Acts may be further divided into scenes; in classical theatre each regrouping between entrances and exits of actors is a scene, while today it describes a quick change of setting.

8. More Elements of Drama Cast of Characters: a list of characters presented before the action begins Foil: a character who is nearly opposite of another character; the purpose of a foil (or character foil) is to reveal a stark contrast between the two characters, often the protagonist and antagonist Chorus: a person or group of people who act as a narrator, commentator, or general audience to the action of the play

9. More Elements of Drama Aside: lines that are spoken by a character directly to the audience Monologue: a long speech spoken by a character to himself, another character, or to the audience Soliloquy: thoughts spoken aloud by a character when he/she is alone, or thinks he/she is alone

10. Using the information from this presentation, create a 10- question Multiple-Choice quiz. You must use the information/definitions from the presentation, but you may also add your knowledge to create your questions. Be sure to create an answer key and keep it on a separate piece of paper. For example: The two main types of drama are: a. plays & monologues c. histories & biographies b. comedies & tragedies d. monologues & solioquies