DRAMATIC

What is A DRAMATIC TEXT?

A dramatic text uses acting to communicate ideas and experiences. Dramas can be
spoken or written. They may have set lines or the actors can improvise (make up the
lines as they go along). The purpose of drama is to express the dramatists ideas so as to
make the audience think about life.

Drama uses dialogue (spoken words), actions and visual elements (facial
expressions, costumes, sets, etc.) to help communicate meaning.

Examples of dramatic texts include:

film scripts
improvisations
stage settings
soap opera
street theatre
re-enactments
 DRAMATIC
Features of a DRAMATIC TEXT

Constructing a dramatic text

A dramatic text may be in the form of a script. A script can include an introduction
(telling the background about the drama, previous productions of the drama and
instructions for performing the drama) followed by segments of action set out in acts and
scenes. Within the drama there can be narratives, poems, monologues and verse. The
structure can be similar to a narrative: orientation, complication, sequence of events,
resolution and coda.

Grammatical features of a dramatic text

Dramatic texts can combine different text types and use variety of grammatical
structures. They usually include:
proper nouns to identify specific characters
use of past tense to recount events
use of timeless present tense when indicating production details
technical terms associated with the theatre.
 DRAMATIC
The DRAMA scaffold

1 Orientation
Introducing the characters, setting and other information that the audience
requires to make sense of the drama.
2 Rising action
The events and interaction between characters that leads to the climax.

3 Climax
The high point of the drama.
4 Falling action
The events that allow the characters to explain or resolve what has taken
place during the climax.
5 Conclusion
A final scene where the dramatist provides a comment or moral based on the
action that has occurred within the text.
 DRAMATIC
MODEL OF A DRAMATIC TEXT
Grammatical
Structures Romeo and Juliet features
Romeo and Juliet was probably written by Shakespeare in 1595.
BAKGROUND The plot, like that of many Shakespearean dramas, was not WRITTEN IN
INFORMATION original and derived from Arthur Brookes poem. The tragicall THE PAST
Historye of Romeus and Juliet (1562) which was itself based on a TENSE AS
sixteenth century Italian short story. A RECOUNT

DETAILS OF Setting
SETTING
Verona and Mantua, probably around 1200 or 1300.

Characters
PROPER
ESCALUS Prince of Verona NOUNS FOR
PARIS a young nobleman, kinsman to the prince SPECIFC
CHARACTERS
LIST OF MONTAGUE AND PLACES
CHARACTERS Heads of two Houses, at variance with each other
CAPULET
Uncle to Capulet
ROMEO son to Montague
MERCUTIO kinsman to the Prince and friend to Romeo
 DRAMATIC
MODEL OF A DRAMATIC TEXT
Characters
BENVOLIO nephew to Montague and friend to Romeo
TYBALT nephew to Lady Capulet
FRIAR LAURENCE a Franciscan
FRIAR JOHN of the same order
BALTHASAR servant to Romeo
SAMPSON
servants to Capulet
GREGORY
PETER servant to Juliets nurse
LIST OF ABRAHAM servant to Montague
CHARACTERS
An Apothecary
Three Musicians
Page to Paris; another Page; an Officer
LADY MONTAGUE wife to Montague
LADY CAPULET wife to Capulet
JULIET daughter to Capulet
Nurse to Juliet
Citizens of Verona; Kinsfolk of both Houses; Masquers; Guards; Watchmen and
Attendants
Chorus
 DRAMATIC
MODELS OF A DRAMATIC TEXT
Structures Grammatical
features
DESCRIPTION ACT 1
OF THE
ACTION Scene 1: Verona. A public place. TO BE SPOKEN,
HOWEVER,
PUNCTUATION
DIRECTIONS Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY armed with swords and FOR DIRECT
FOR ACTORS bucklers. SPEECH
(QUOTATION
SAMPSON : Gregory, o my word, well not carry coals MARKS) IS
GREGORY : No, for then we should be colliers. NOT USED
DIALOGUE SAMPSON : I mean, an we be in choler, well draw.
GREGORY : Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o the
collar.
SAMPSON : I strike quickly, being moved.
GREGORY : But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
SAMPSON : A dog of the house of Montague moves me.