[INTRODUCTION TO READING PLAYS]

Talking about plays:

A. Fill the gaps with the appropriate word:
The author of a play is called the ________________ . ________________ are the
people who perform the play on a ________________.
Most plays are divided into several units of action called ________________. These
may again be divided into smaller parts called ________________.

B. Dramatic Speech:
Match the words from the box with the appropriate definition.
Dialogue

Monologue

Soliloquy

Asides

1. ________________ are remarks made to the audience or to one character; the other
characters onstage do not hear them.
2. ________________ is a conversation between characters onstage.
3. ________________ is a long speech given by one character to others.
4. ________________ is a speech by a character alone onstage to himself or herself
or to the audience.
C. Elements of drama
Match the words from the box with the appropriate definition.
Setting
props
audience

characters
director

plot

stage directions

Set

performance protagonist antagonist

________________ : identifies the time and place in which events occur.

[INTRODUCTION TO READING PLAYS]

________________ : the people in the play

________________ : the series of events that form the entirety of the play
________________ : suggestions concerning the setting, the characters actions and
their manner given by the playwright to future directors
________________ : construction on the stage that shows time(place; could also be
________________ : small movable items that the actors use to make actions look real.
________________ : people watching the play
________________ : a person who is in charge of a film or play and tells the actors how
to play their parts
________________ : the action of entertaining other people by dancing, singing, acting,
or playing music
________________ : one of the or the main characters in a story or a play
________________ : the or one of the adversaries of the main character of a story or a
play

D. Central element: CONFLICT

Conflict is a struggle or clash between opposing characters or forces
a. between characters
b. within a character
c. between a character and his circumstances

E. Drama
Drama has a two-fold nature: LITERATURE and THEATRE.

[INTRODUCTION TO READING PLAYS]

A play is a collaborative process, the work of many. A thorough study of drama involves
the study of the text, of acting, directing, set design, music and art. Last but not least, a
play as a work of art needs an audience to be complete.
Genres of Drama
1. Tragedy is a type of drama that shows the downfall and destruction of a noble
and outstanding person, traditionally one who possesses a character weakness
called a tragic flaw. The tragic hero, through choice or circumstance, is caught up
in a sequence of events that inevitably results in disaster.
2. Comedy is a type of drama intended to interest and amuse the audience rather
than make them deeply concerned about events that happen. The characters
overcome some difficulties, but they always overcome their ill fortune and find
happiness in the end.
3. Tragicomedy is a play that does not adhere strictly to the structure of tragedy.
This is usually a serious play that also has some qualities of comedy. It arouses
thought even with laughter.

KEY:
F. Elements of drama
Match the words from the box with the appropriate definition.
Setting
props
audience

characters
director

plot

stage directions

Set

performance protagonist antagonist

setting

identifies the time and place in which events occur.

characters

the people in the play

plot

the series of events that form the entirety of the play

[INTRODUCTION TO READING PLAYS]

stage directions
suggestions concerning the setting, the characters actions and their
manner given by the playwright to future directors
set
called scenery

construction on the stage that shows time(place; could also be

props

small movable items that the actors use to make actions look real.

audience

people watching the play

director
to play their parts

a person who is in charge of a film or play and tells the actors how

performance
or playing music

the action of entertaining other people by dancing, singing, acting,

protagonist

one of the or the main characters in a story or a play

Antagonist
play

the or one of the adversaries of the main character of a story or a