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A drama is a story written to be performed by actors before an audience. The script of a dramatic work, or play, includes dialogue and often stage directions. Dialogue refers to the conversation between characters. Stage directions are the instructions written by the playwright to describe the appearance and actions of the characters as well as the sets, props, costumes, sound effects, and lighting.
A drama may be divided into acts. An act is a major unit of a drama, or play. A play may be divided into several acts. Many modern plays have one, two, or three acts. Acts may be further divided into scenes. Each scene takes place in a specific setting and time. A new scene may indicate a change in location or the passage of time.
A drama may be divided into acts. An act is a major unit of a drama, or play. A play may be divided into several acts. Many modern plays have one, two, or three acts. Acts may be further divided into scenes. Each scene takes place in a specific setting and time. A new scene may indicate a change in location or the passage of time.
Vocabulary
Annotating Text
In order to identify dramatic action, note the following:
- the organization of acts and scenes: For example, to leave an audience in suspense, a playwright may end a scene mid-conversation. A playwright may end an act in a cliffhanger.
- the time and place of each act and scene
- the main event, action, or purpose of each scene
- characters’ behaviors and responses to events
- the dialogue and what it reveals about characters and plot
- the stage directions and what they reveal about setting and characters
Analyze how the playwright develops dramatic action, using the following questions as a guide:
- What is the setting of each act and scene?
- What are the main events or purpose of each act or scene?
- How do characters react or behave?
- What does the dialogue reveal about the story?
- What do the stage directions reveal about the story?
- How does the playwright use acts or scenes to develop action? For example: Does the playwright use a cliffhanger? Does the playwright end a scene or act mid-sentence?
Student Model
In the suspenseful one-act play Sorry, Wrong Number by Lucille Fletcher, a wife’s anxious night home alone grows increasingly more frightful. The compact single act structure of the play adds to the suspense, giving the audience no breaks in the action. Noticing dramatic elements, such as stage directions and dialogue over multiple scenes, can help you analyze how the playwright develops the dramatic action.
Let’s look at how one reader analyzes the stage directions at the beginning of the opening scene:
There are many details to analyze in stage directions, which the reader does expertly. She notices how details such as “expensive, rather fussy furnishings” and “pill bottles” in the stage directions help to characterize Mrs. Stevenson. She also notices the use of light to set a spooky scene.
As she continues reading the stage directions, the reader analyzes additional details regarding the setting and aspects of Mrs. Stevenson’s character:
The reader recalls the detail of the “pill bottles” to make an inference about Mrs. Stevenson’s state of mind. She also identifies a detail that stands out from the rest of the stage. As she continues reading the passage, the reader may collect details that help her to understand the importance of the train. Further, as the action builds and shifts from scene to scene, the reader sees how the playwright keeps an audience in suspense.
Elaborate / Share
Discuss the Model
- How does the reader use stage directions to draw conclusions about the setting? (The reader noted the time and place of the act, and scenery details such as pill bottles.)
- How does the reader use stage directions to draw conclusions about the Mrs. Stevenson’s character? (The reader concluded that the setting was disturbing, and that Ms. Stevenson was nervous.)
- How will this thinking help the reader analyze other dramatic elements in the text? (Answers will vary, but they should indicate an understanding of how a reader can note dramatic elements to understand how they are used to develop dramatic action.)
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