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