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DRAMA
DRAMA
Typically, plays are written in many different forms, but the typical structure often consists of the following:
1.Exposition and This part introduces the characters and establishes the setting of the story. The
Introduction introduction can either present the conflict right at the very beginning or in the middle
of the action. Regardless of the structure, this part shows the situations that involved
the characters to the conflict and sets the tone of the play.
2. Conflict This is where the challenges that the protagonist is about to face are presented. This
conflict may arise from various forces, including the society, nature, environment,
God, or even from the main character himself/herself.
3. Rising Action or From the emergence of a conflict, the play now rises toward a dramatic tension which
Complication often turns into a confrontation. As this dramatic tension intensifies, it provides
emotional tension between characters, giving the audience more details concerning
them which were not known in the introduction and conflict. This part also makes the
conflict more complicated.
4. Turning Point, This part is where the audience finds out if the protagonist either wins or loses in the
Climax or Crisis battle that he or she is struggling with. This is known as the highest point in a story.
5. Falling Action At this point, the audience somehow gets a sense of the conclusion, but may still have
some unsettled questions at work within the plot.
6. Denouement or This marks the ending of the play where we can see if the protagonist won against the
Resolution antagonist. It also shows whether or not the order is brought back and the conflict has
been resolved.
Dramatic Elements
While it is important for a playwright to understand the structure of drama, it is also necessary that he or
she is fully aware of the many different techniques and devices – dramatic elements – involved in making a play
more effective, interesting and meaningful. Here are some of them:
2. Setting
An effective playwright does not only consider the plot when writing drama. Equally important to that
matter is to also think of the setting in a play. Basically, setting is the term used to describe the place or the
locale where the story of the play is located. Moreover, it also includes the date, time and the action involved in
the play.
In general, setting has two main categories:
Realistic plays
-Refer to those whose conventions are under the realistic plane and are taken from real people, objects and
situations. In this category, the setting is created with the aim to reproduce the external presence of life.
Non-realistic plays
-It is the exact opposite of realistic plays in which it is drawn out from stylized and unconventional events. It
involves characters who are not real people, but are allegorical or symbolical. The setting in this category can be
a dream-like forest, a barren and deserted mountain, the underworld or any fictional spot.
3. Character
As discussed in the lesson on fiction, character refers to a person or any entity with human
characteristics who acts, speaks, narrates or is referred to in a literary work. A character can be major (or
principal) or minor (supporting). The general classifications of characters in drama are as follows:
Hero or heroine – also known as the protagonist whose conflict is also the main conflict of the play
Villain or villainess – the character with evil qualities and often contradicts with the hero(ine)
Superhero or superheroine – the character with supernatural powers
Antihero or antiheroine – a character who is more ordinary compared to traditional hero(ine)
4. Dialogue
Among the components in a play, this is the most important. This is basically the reason why the action
of the play moves. Since the nature of drama is performative, it is the dialogue, which takes place between the
characters, that often reveal the tone and the characters in the play.
When writing the dialogues, consider the following pointers:
Characters should not give flawless talks.
Character should refrain from using clichés.
Characters should not often use character names.
Characters should not deliver lengthy speeches.
Characters do not directly mention the theme of the play.
NAME: _______________________________________________________ SCORE: _______________
GRADE LEVEL AND SECTION : _________________________________ DATE: ________________
DRAMA QUIZ
I. Multiple Choice. Instructions: Recall what you have learned or read about drama as a genre of
fiction. Read and answer the following statements. Encircle the letter of your answer for each item.
1. Which of the following is not part of the typical structure of a play?
a. exposition b. conflict c. climax d. tragedy
2. Which part of the play displays whether or not the protagonist won and problems are resolved?
a. climax b. conflict c. denouement d. exposition
3. It refers to what the characters say or do to achieve their goals in a play.
a. complications b. action c. conflict d. backstory
4. What element of drama refers to the events that took place in the past?
a. complications b. action c. conflict d. backstory
5. It is used to refer to an actor’s speech delivery in the presence of other characters who do not
speak but listen.
a. music b. flashback c. monologue d. intrigue
6. What element of drama refers to the character or situation that stands against the protagonist?
a. antagonist b. arc c. intrigue d. flashback
7. What is known as the mainstay of the musical drama?
a. intrigue b. flashback c. music d. antagonist
8. What element of drama is known as something that happens out of the audience’s expectation?
a. soliloquy b. surprise c. stakes d. scenes
9. What element of drama is known as portions of an act?
a. soliloquy b. surprise c. stakes d. scenes
10. Which of the following elements of drama refers to what the characters stand in order to gain or
lose whenever they succeed or fail.
a. soliloquy b. surprise c. stakes d. scenes
II. True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is true and FALSE if it is not true based on the
discussion above.
1. Drama is a mode of fictional representation through the use of dialogue and performance.
2. The writer of a drama is called a poet.
3. Comedy is a type of drama which aims to entertain the audience.
4. Tragedy is characterized by a lighter theme.
5. Farce is a type of drama that involves exaggerated or absurd forms of comedy.
6. An effective playwright only puts into consideration the plot of the play.
7. The conflict is where the challenges that the protagonist is about to face are presented.
8. Falling action is the last component of a plot.
9. To make a play become more effective and interesting, a playwright must consider several
techniques and devices or dramatic elements.
10. The setting of a play is always realistic.
III. Identification. Read the description in each item below. Find the correct word/s inside the
box that each description refers to. Write the letter of your answer after the number.
a. arc d. foreshadowing g. opera i. music
b. docudrama e. reversal h. In Medias Res j. complications
c. flashback f. dialogue
1. It refers to the use of hints at the future just to create audience’s anticipation.
2. It is used to set the mood and tone of the play.
3. This is known as the most versatile genre of drama.
4. It causes the action of the play to move.
5. This new genre of drama involves dramatic portrayals of historic events.
6. It occurs when the protagonist either fails or succeeds.
7. This is the introduction of new characters, information or other events which often causes
conflicts.
8. It is the storyline of a play.
9. It is the opening scene in the middle of the action.
10. It is often used to clarify the present situation through description or enactment of what
happened in the past.