Drama

What is drama?

Drama refers to plays. Plays may be read at home or they may be viewed in a theatre. Each experience offers different things to the reader or to the viewer. Some people enjoy following a play while listening to sound recordings of the authors performances. This allows a person to focus on the dialogue.

Unlike other forms of literature, plays depend on the use of dialogue to communicate the plot, characters, and setting. In addition to the written or spoken dialogue, readers can use the written directions included in the play to learn more about the plot, character, and setting. Viewers of plays have the advantage of seeing the characters, props, and set to learn more about the elements of the play. Another advantage of viewing a play is sound is used to communicate information. The way actors deliver, speak, their lines reveals information about the plot and characters. Music, or other sound effects, may also be used to help bring the plot and characters to life.

Plays have a unique structure compared to other forms of literature. Scenes are the basic unit of action in a play. They deal with a specific conflict. A number of scenes are organized into an act. A play may have one act or more. Modern plays typically contain three to five acts. Acts signal a major change in the play.