The Elements of Drama

1. The Elements of Drama Monsters are Due on Maple Street

2. Introduction • Reading a play, or drama, is very different from reading a short story or novel. • In a play, there are no long descriptions of setting or characters. • Instead, the entire action of the play is told through dialogue and stage directions. • Like a short story or novel, however, a drama does contain the basic elements of fiction and plot.

3. Drama • Comes from the Greek Word, “Dran” • It means “to do” or “to act” • The doing/acting makes drama

4. Drama… • A drama tells a story and includes such elements as character, setting, plot, and theme. • A drama is written to be performed in a theater OR to be performed on screen or film.

5. Drama… • A SCRIPT is the written form of a play. • Scripts are used in stage productions, for movies, and for television shows. • A PLAYWRIGHT is the author of a play. • A SCRIPTWRITER is the author of a television or movie script.

6. THE ELEMENTS OF DRAMA Important Terms

7. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA • Acts and Scenes • Cast of Characters • Dialogue • Monologue • Plot • Setting • Stage Directions • Theme

8. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: ACTS AND SCENES • An ACT is a group of two or more scenes that form a major division of a play. • A SCENE is one part of the action, usually happening in a particular time and place.

9. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: DRAMATIC SPEECH • Dialogue- A conversation among characters in a play • Monologue-A long speech by one single character (private thoughts). Also, referred to as a soliloquy.

10. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: CAST OF CHARACTERS • A cast of characters is a list that describes who is in the play and often how they are related to each other.

11. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: PLOT • Plot is the action of main events of a drama. • Plot follows the plot diagram like in a novel or short story: • exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

12. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: SETTING • Setting is where and when the play takes place. • In a play, the setting is usually described in a note or stage direction at the opening of the play and each scene.

13. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: STAGE DIRECTIONS • Stage directions describe details of the setting and sound effects as well as directing characters how to speak their lines, move, act, and look. • Found in brackets [ ] • Describe scenery and how characters speak • C, Center Stage • L, Stage Left • R, Stage Right • U, Upstage or Rear • D, Downstage or Front

14. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: THEME • Theme is a statement about life around which the playwright builds the play. • A play’s theme is its central idea or message.

15. READING DRAMA Before, During, and After Reading Strategies

16. DRAMA: BEFORE READING • SET A PURPOSE FOR READING BY ASKING YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING: • What are the main characters like, and what is the relationship among them? • What is the central conflict, and how is it resolved? • What is the theme of the play?

17. DRAMA: BEFORE READING • PREVIEW THE PLAY BY USING THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST: • the title page, including the title and playwright • the cast of characters • the general setting • the number of pages, acts, and scenes • any background information, photos, or illustrations

18. DRAMA: BEFORE READING • PLAN A STRATEGY TO HELP YOU ORGANIZE THE PLOT OF THE PLAY AS YOU READ. • For The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, you will be using reading check questions and a plot diagram to help organize the events as they unfold.

19. DRAMA: DURING READING • READ WITH A PURPOSE BY ASKING THE FOLLOWING BEFORE READING QUESTIONS AGAIN: • What are the main characters like, and what is the relationship among them? • What is the central conflict, and how is it resolved? • What is the theme of the play?

20. Teleplay Terms • Fade In: The picture gradually appears on the screen. • Pan: A swiveling movement of the camera from one side to another. • Long Shot: A camera shot from far off. • Fade to Black: The picture gradually disappears until all that remains is a blank screen. • Cut To: A sudden change from one scene or character to another.

21. Terms cont. • Close-Up: A camera shot that is very close to its subject.

22. Play Synopsis • Synopsis: The screenplay explores the affects of prejudice and suspicion. After a bright, unknown object flashes across the sky, the neighbors of Maple Street discover that their electricity is gone, their cars have stopped working, and the telephones are out of order. • A boy, Tommy, tells the neighbors stories he has read about aliens from outer space. • He tells the neighbors that there is always a family that is “sent ahead” who appears to be human…but really isn’t.