Download - The Elements of Drama
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The Elements of Drama
Monsters are Due on Maple Street
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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.
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Drama
Comes from the Greek Word, “Dran”
It means “to do” or “to act”
The doing/acting makes drama
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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.
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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.
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THE ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
Important Terms
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ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
Acts and Scenes Cast of Characters Dialogue Monologue Plot Setting Stage Directions Theme
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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READING DRAMA
Before, During, and After Reading Strategies
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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?
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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
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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.
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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?
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DRAMA: AFTER READING
PAUSE AND REFLECT OF HOW WELL YOU UNDERSTOOD THE PLAY BY ASKING YOURSELF: Can I describe the main characters? Can I explain the central conflict in the play and summarize the plot?
What is the main message, or theme, of the play?
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Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod
Sterling
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Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
~President Franklin D. Roosevelt
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Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
How does fear affect the decisions you make?
What fears might be called "universal"; shared by most almost all humans?
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Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
Important Vocabulary To Know:
FLUSTERED SLUGGISHLY ASSENT PERSISTENTLY DEFIANT METAMORPHOSIS SCAPEGOAT