Elements of

Drama
There are three types of
Drama Elements.

• Literary
• Technical
• Performance

2
Literary Elements
(What is needed to write a script or story?)

• Script
• Plot
• Character
• Story Organization
• Setting
• Dialogue
• Monologue
• Conflict 3
Technical Elements
(What is needed to produce a play?)

• Scenery
• Costumes
• Props
• Sound and Music
• Make-up
• Audience
4
 Performance Elements
(What do the actors do on stage to make a character come alive?)

• Acting
• Speaking
• Non-verbal Expression

5
But…what do all these
words mean?

6
All the elements of drama
combine to make a good
production. They are all
important. Some
demonstrate more of one
element than others.
7
Literary Elements
(What is needed to write a script or story?)

• Script
• Plot
• Character
• Story Organization
• Setting
• Dialogue
• Monologue
• Conflict 8
 Literary Elements
Script

A script is the written

words and directions
of a play.
9
 Literary Elements

Plot

The plot is the storyline

or arrangement of
action.
10
 Literary Elements
Character

A character is a person
portrayed in a drama.

11
 Literary Elements

Story Organization
A story organization is
how a story is told –
the beginning, middle
and end.
12
 Literary Elements

Setting
The setting is where the
action takes place.

13
 Literary Elements

Dialogue
A dialogue is a spoken
conversation between
two characters.
14
 Literary Elements

Monologue
A monologue is a long
speech made by one
person.
15
 Literary Elements

Conflict
The internal or external
struggle between
opposing forces, ideas, or
interests that create
dramatic tension. 16
Technical Elements
(What is needed to produce a play?)

• Scenery
• Costumes
• Props
• Sound and Music
• Make-up
• Audience
17
 Technical Elements

Scenery
The theatrical equipment
such as curtains,
backdrops, and platforms
to communicate the
environment. 18
 Technical Elements

Costumes

A style of dress,
including
accessories and
hairdos. 19
 Technical Elements
Props

Any article other than

costumes or scenery
used as part of a
dramatic production. 20
 Technical Elements

Sound and Music

The effect an
audience hears
during a show, like
the sound of rain. 21
 Technical Elements

Make-up

The use of costumes,

wigs and body paint
to transform an actor
into a character. 22
 Technical Elements

Audience

The group of
spectators.

23
 Performance Elements
(What do the actors do on stage to make a character come alive?)

• Acting
• Speaking
• Non-verbal Expression

24
 Performance Elements

Acting

Acting is how speaking

and moving help to
create characters.
25
 Performance Elements

Speaking
Speaking is vocal
expression, projection,
speaking style and
diction. 26
 Performance Elements

Non-verbal expression

Includes gestures, facial

expressions, and
movement.
27
Now. Can you name
one Literary
Element?

28
Now. Can you name
one Technical
Element?

29
Now. Can you name
one Performance
Element?

30
 Features of Drama
• to be performed on stage/
to be performed in an
audience
• dialogue
• actors 
• actions 
31
 How to read drama?

1. Look at the title.

What do you think
the title says about
the play? 
32
 How to read drama?
2. Is the play funny or
tragic? Can you tell what
the genre is: comedy,
tragedy, romance, etc.?
Based on the genre, does
the play end the way it's
supposed to?  33
 How to read drama?

3. Is Look at the setting.

Does it seem appropriate?
How does the setting
affect the overall feel of
the play?
34
 How to read drama?

4. If there are parts of the play

that you don't understand,
read the lines aloud.
Visualize what the lines
would sound like/what an
actor would look like
speaking the lines. 35
 How to read drama?

5. Summarize the plot of

the play. What are the
basic plot points? How
does the action build up
to the climax of the play?
36
 How to read drama?

6. Describe each character.

Who are they? How are
they related? Are they flat
or round, static or
dynamic? 
37
 How to read drama?
7. Look at the stage
direction. How detailed is
the staging? Do the
directions give you a
sense of what the play is
about and what is
happening? 38
 How to read drama?
8. Read the introduction
before and after you read the play. I
you have a critical edition of the
play, also read the essays about
the play. If no essays or
commentary is included in your
edition, consider purchasing a
book that discusses the critical
theory/analytical dimension of the
drama. 39
 How to read drama?

9. Look at the historical

background of the play.
What famous works of
literature influenced the play
you are reading? How did
this play inspire or influence
later works. 40
 How to read drama?

10. What is the theme

(message, moral or
idea) of the play?

41
 How to write an extended
dialogue?
1. Listen to how people
talk.
2. Not Exactly like real
speech.
3. Don’t provide too much
info at once.
42
 How to write an extended
dialogue?
4. Break up dialogue with
action.
5. Don’t overdo dialogue
tags.
6. Stereotypes, Profanity
and Slang.
43
 How to write an extended
dialogue?

7. Read Widely.
8. Punctuate dialogue
correctly.

44
45
 How does
drama reflect
real life?

46