1.  Elements of Drama

2. Important Words to Keep in Mind  Character –  Drama –  Props –  Scenery  Casts –  Climax -

3. Elements of Drama  Acts  Units of action in a drama  Divided into scenes  Characterization  Writer’s technique for creating believable characters  Dramatic speech  Advances the story’s action  Dialogue – conversation between or among characters  Monologue – long speech spoken by single character/tells private thoughts of character

4.  Stage direction  Sets of bracketed information that describe scenery and how the characters should move or speak  Set  Used for the construction on stage that suggests the time and place of action  Props  Small movable items that the actors use to make their actions look realistic

5. Types of Drama  Comedy  Features everyday characters in funny situations  Can be written to entertain or point out faults in society  Tragedy  The events lead tot the downfall of the main character  Main character can be an average person but is often a person of great significance, like a king or a heroic figure  Drama  Describes plays that address serious subjects  Types: Screenplays (movies), teleplays (TV movies), radio plays

6. Reading a Play – Before Reading  Set a Purpose  Answer three questions to set your purpose:  1. What are the main characters like, and what’s the relationship among them?  2. What is the central conflict, and how is it resolved?  3. What is the theme of the play?  Preview  Checklist  Title page, including the title and playwright  Cast of characters  General setting  Number of pages, acts, and scenes  Any background information, photographs, or illustrations

9. Reading Strategy  Summarizing  Helps you keep track of the main action and main ideas  Plays usually have more than one setting  Action usually shifts from scene to scene  Magnet Summary  Start by selecting a magnet word  Magnet word can be word that is repeated  Magnet word can be a feeling or idea that is repeated  Connect details to that word  Can be used to sum up a moment, scene, or entire play

11. During Reading  Read with a Purpose  Focus on questions  What are the main characters like, and what’s their relationship among them?  What is the central conflict, and how is it resolved?  What is the theme of the play?  Jot down ideas or quotes while reading  Sketch pictures to help you remember parts

15. Remember important details Magnet Summary Summary Notes Character Map

16.  Magnet Summary Diary of Anne Frank

17.  Summary Notes Diary of Anne Frank

18.  Character Map Diary of Anne Frank

20. Plot Diagrams  Acts  Scenes  Exposition  Rising Action  Climax  Falling Action  Resolution

22. After Reading  Pause and Reflect  Ask yourself these questions:  1. Can I describe the main characters?  2. Can I explain the central conflict in the play and summarize the plot?  3. What is the main message, or theme, of the play?  4. Do parts of the play confuse or puzzle me?  Reread  If you are unable to answer any of those questions, you need to reread.

24. Focus on Theme  Theme  Message or idea that the playwright wants you to remember  Some have one theme; others have many minor themes  Three Step Plan for Understanding Theme  1. Find the “big ideas” or general topics  2. Find out what the characters do and say that relates to the general topic  3. Come up with a statement of the author’s point or message about the topic

25. Common Topics for Themes  Childhood  Courage  Death  Faith  Family  Freedom  Friendship

26. Growing up Hate Hope Identity Independence Justice Love Loyalty Nature Patience Patriotism Prejudice Race relations Self-improvement Self-reliance Success Trust Truth Unhappiness Violence War

27. Focus on Language  Study key lines and speeches in a play  Consider how the stage directions contribute to a play  Do not skip over  Describe emotions, facial expressions, and other directions  Helps the reader “see” the play  Examine the dialogue to see the way it affects characters, plot, and theme  Plays are based on dialogue (character’s words) not descriptive details like books, novels, or short stories