1. Drama vs. Short Stories

2. Drama When we were young, we all loved to dress up in costumes and outfits, say as cowboys, or as Darth Vader from Star Wars, or as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, or as Spider Man, Batman, Cinderella, and Tinker Bell. We sang and danced or defeated the bad guys. We were the characters, the heroes and villains. When we were young, we all loved to dress up in costumes and outfits, say as cowboys, or as Darth Vader from Star Wars, or as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, or as Spider Man, Batman, Cinderella, and Tinker Bell. We sang and danced or defeated the bad guys. We were the characters, the heroes and villains. As we read, we can visualize what they ’ re doing, thinking, and feeling because we can hear their words as we interpret their emotions. As we read, we can visualize what they ’ re doing, thinking, and feeling because we can hear their words as we interpret their emotions.

3. Drama Comes from the Greek Word, “ Dran ” Comes from the Greek Word, “ Dran ” Means “ To do ” or “ To Act ” Means “ To do ” or “ To Act ” The Doing/Acting Makes Drama The Doing/Acting Makes Drama

4. Purpose and Definition A drama is a story written to be performed by actors, using speech and movements in front of an audience A drama is a story written to be performed by actors, using speech and movements in front of an audience

5. Purpose of other genres Short story? Short story? Speech? Speech? Informational text? Informational text?

6. Elements of Drama Playwright-the author of a play Playwright-the author of a play Actors-the people who perform Actors-the people who perform Scenes – in drama, action is divided up. When the setting changes, a new scene begins Acts-two or more scenes are grouped into acts in a play

7. Genres Short stories Short stories Fiction or nonfiction Fiction or nonfiction Realistic Fiction Realistic Fiction Historical Fiction Historical Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction Etc. Etc. Dramas Dramas for the stage (play) For the movies (screenplay) For television (teleplay)

8. Elements of Drama Plot Plot Characters Characters Setting Setting Acts Acts Scenes Scenes The related events that take place in a drama are separated into acts. Most plays have two or three acts, but there are many variations. Within an act, there are shorter sections called scenes. A play can have any number of scenes. The related events that take place in a drama are separated into acts. Most plays have two or three acts, but there are many variations. Within an act, there are shorter sections called scenes. A play can have any number of scenes.

9. Structure of a Drama – Chronological Order All the parts of plot All the parts of plot Exposition Exposition characters characters Internal and external conflicts Internal and external conflicts setting setting Rising Action/Complications Rising Action/Complications Climax Climax Falling Action Falling Action Resolution Resolution

10. Dialogue IN A SHORT STORY- An author tells a story mainly through a narrator and some description and dialogue between characters. IN A SHORT STORY- An author tells a story mainly through a narrator and some description and dialogue between characters. IN A PLAY/DRAMA- A playwright tells a story primarily through dialogue of the characters. IN A PLAY/DRAMA- A playwright tells a story primarily through dialogue of the characters. Dialogue is conversation between two or more characters. Dialogue in a short story= partly responsible for revealing a character ’ s personality Dialogue in a short story= partly responsible for revealing a character ’ s personality Dialogue in a drama = totally responsible for revealing the characters and also carry the story forward. Dialogue in a drama = totally responsible for revealing the characters and also carry the story forward.

11. Monologue Playwrights may also use a monologue, which occurs when only one character speaks for a while. The character may be with others onstage or may be alone. Playwrights may also use a monologue, which occurs when only one character speaks for a while. The character may be with others onstage or may be alone. Mono= one Mono= one Di= two Di= two Christine from Phantom of the Opera

12. Dialogue in a Short Story While Mrs. Brand was standing on her porch, she called out, “Steve? What was that?” While Mrs. Brand was standing on her porch, she called out, “Steve? What was that?” Steve responded in a loud tone, “Guess it was a meteor, honey. Came awful close, didn’t it?” Steve responded in a loud tone, “Guess it was a meteor, honey. Came awful close, didn’t it?” Mrs. Brand grimaced. “Too close for my money! Much to close.” Mrs. Brand grimaced. “Too close for my money! Much to close.” There are two characters in the conversation—Steve and his wife, Mrs. Brand. How do we know this?

13. In the written form of a play, dialogue appears without quotation marks. Practice reading this dialogue from The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street: Mrs. Brand (from her porch). Steve? What was that? Steve (raising his voice and looking toward porch). Guess it was a meteor, honey. Came awful close, didn ’ t it? Mrs. Brand. Too close for my money! Much too close. from The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod Serling from The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod Serling There are two characters in the conversation—Steve and his wife, Mrs. Brand. The name at the beginning of each line tells who is talking. When you read dialogue, you need to keep track of individual characters. Their words are important clues to their personalities.

14. Stage Directions some lines have italicized words and phrases contained within parentheses. These are stage directions. They are not meant to be spoken aloud. For the actors—and for a reader of the play— they offer guidance on what is happening and how to understand the meaning of certain lines. some lines have italicized words and phrases contained within parentheses. These are stage directions. They are not meant to be spoken aloud. For the actors—and for a reader of the play— they offer guidance on what is happening and how to understand the meaning of certain lines. Mrs. Brand (from her porch). Steve? What was that? Steve (raising his voice and looking toward porch). Guess it was a meteor, honey. Came awful close, didn ’ t it? Mrs. Brand. Too close for my money! Much too close. from The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod Serling from The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod Serling

15. Stage Directions Mary. Yes, I agree with you. (She really doesn ’ t.) As a reader, the stage direction “ (She really doesn ’ t.) ” helps you understand Mary ’ s feelings as well as events that may occur later in the play. An actor delivering this line would show that Mary doesn ’ t mean what she says. The actor might pause before speaking or move in a way that shows she is not sincere. When you read a play, be alert to the stage directions. When you watch a play, pay attention to the action and to specific actors ’ movements. These are important elements of drama that convey meaning. As a reader, the stage direction “ (She really doesn ’ t.) ” helps you understand Mary ’ s feelings as well as events that may occur later in the play. An actor delivering this line would show that Mary doesn ’ t mean what she says. The actor might pause before speaking or move in a way that shows she is not sincere. When you read a play, be alert to the stage directions. When you watch a play, pay attention to the action and to specific actors ’ movements. These are important elements of drama that convey meaning.

16. How to read drama 1. Read the play silently – you should understand the story before you try to act it out. 2. Read stage directions carefully – you cannot understand what is happening if you don’t follow where everyone is. 3. Get to know the characters – visualize the characters as they speak. Picture the set and props as the characters move about. 4. Keep track of the plot – look for the conflict and get involved in the story. Watch for the action and how the conflict gets resolved. 5. Read the play with others – read only the words of the characters, not the stage directions. Listen to the other actors, too!

17. Partner Exit Slip Describe what dialogue looks like in a short story Describe what dialogue looks like in a short story What does the dialogue reveal in a short story? (hint: look back at notes) What does the dialogue reveal in a short story? (hint: look back at notes) What does dialogue look like in a drama? What does dialogue look like in a drama? What does dialogue reveal in a drama? What does dialogue reveal in a drama? (look back at notes)