Plot is the sequence of events. Like the plot of a story, the plot of a play involves characters who face a problem or conflict. Climax

point of highest tension;action determines how the

conflict will be resolved

Resolution(denouement)

conflict is resolved;play ends

Complicationstension builds

Expositioncharacters and conflict are introduced

Dramatic Structure

• The Exposition is the introduction. It is the part of the work that introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation.

• Rising Action is the part of the plot that begins to occur as soon as the conflict is introduced. The rising action adds complications to the conflict and increases reader interest.

The Climax is the point of greatest emotional intensity, interest, or suspense in the plot.

Denouement: the outcome, solution, unraveling, or clarification of a plot in a drama; final revelation or outcome.

Dramatic Structure

Conflict is a struggle or clash between opposing characters

or forces. A conflict may develop : between characters who want different things or

the same thing.between a character

and his or her circumstances

within a character who is torn by

competing desires

Drama Terminology

• Soliloquy: a long speech given by a character while alone on stage to reveal his or her private thoughts or intentions. (monologue)

• Aside: a character’s quiet remark to the audience or another character that no one else on stage is supposed to hear. A stage direction (often in brackets) indicates an aside

Aside Example

Trebonius: Caesar, I will. [Aside] And so near will I be

That your best friends shall wish I had been further.

The audience is meant to hear the aside, but not Caesar.

Drama Terminology

Irony: the contrast between appearance and reality.

1.Dramatic Irony: when the reader or audience knows something that one or more of the characters do not know.

• EX: In Romeo and Juliet when we know Juliet is married to Romeo, but her parents do not.

Drama Terminology• 2.Verbal irony : when you say one

thing and mean another (sarcasm is a type of verbal irony generally associated with a tone of voice)

• Example = When Ms. Blea says she’s happy to see your enthusiasm when you are yawning

Drama Terminology

• 3.Situational irony : When the unexpected happens

• Example – A fire station catches on fire

Drama Terminology

• Act – a major division of a play.

• Scene – a division of a play, usually part of an act, in which conventionally the action is continuous and in a single place.

• Apostrophe – the addressing of someone or something, usually not present, as though present (ex. Oh Captain, my Captain! Death be not proud)

• Catharsis meaning “purgation,” it describes the release of the emotions of pity and fear by the audience at the end of a tragedy.

Drama Terminology• Character – a person or an animal or a thing that that takes

part in the action of the play.

• Antagonist- is the person or thing working against the protagonist

• Protagonist – central character who engages the reader’s interest and empathy

• Foil – character in a work whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character in order to highlight the distinctive temperament of that character (usually the protagonist)

• Tragic hero – has the potential for greatness but is doomed to fail; trapped in a situation that cannot be won; makes some sort of tragic flaw, this causes fall from greatness; still wins a moral victory and spirit lives on

Drama Terminology

• Characterization – creation of characters for a play or story• Direct – telling the audience/reader exactly what you want

them to know about the characters (Killer is a really mean guy.)

• Indirect – Showing the reader the character instead of telling the audience about the character

Drama Terminology• Chorus – Plays of the ancient Greek theatre always

included a chorus that offered a variety of background and summary information to help the audience follow

the performance. They commented on themes and demonstrated how the audience might react to the drama. They may serve to foreshadow events to occur .

Drama Terminology•

Dialogue – the conversation carried on by the characters in a literary work

• Epithet-a descriptive adjective or phrase used to characterize someone

or something

Example-Alexander the Great

Drama Terminology

• Mood – the feeling a piece of literature arouses in the reader/audience; happiness, sadness, peacefulness.

• Motif – an often-repeated idea or theme in literature

Drama Terminology• Satire – a literary work in which vices, follies, stupidities,

abuses, etc. are held up to ridicule and contempt

• Flashback – going back to an earlier time in a story for the purpose of making something present clearer

Foreshadowing – to be a sign of something to come; indicate or suggest before hand

Drama Terminology

• Theme – the statement about life a particular work is trying to get across

• Tone – the overall feeling, or effect, created by a writer’s words. May be serious, mock-serious, humorous, or satirical.