The Elements of Drama

Monsters are Due on Maple Street

Introduction

Reading a play, or drama, is very different from reading a short story or novel. In a play, there are no long descriptions of

setting or characters. Instead, the entire action of the play is told

through dialogue and stage directions. Like a short story or novel, however, a

drama does contain the basic elements of fiction and plot.

Drama

Comes from the Greek Word, “Dran”

It means “to do” or “to act”

The doing/acting makes drama

Drama…

A drama tells a story and includes such elements as character, setting, plot, and theme.

A drama is written to be performed in a theater OR to be performed on screen or film.

Drama…

A SCRIPT is the written form of a play. Scripts are used in stage

productions, for movies, and for television shows.

A PLAYWRIGHT is the author of a play.

A SCRIPTWRITER is the author of a television or movie script.

THE ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

Important Terms

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

Acts and Scenes Cast of Characters Dialogue Monologue Plot Setting Stage Directions Theme

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: ACTS AND SCENES

An ACT is a group of two or more scenes that form a major division of a play.

A SCENE is one part of the action, usually happening in a particular time and place.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: DRAMATIC SPEECH

Dialogue- A conversation among characters in a play

Monologue-A long speech by one single character (private thoughts). Also, referred to as a soliloquy.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: CAST OF CHARACTERS

A cast of characters is a list that describes who is in the play and often how they are related to each other.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: PLOT

Plot is the action of main events of a drama.

Plot follows the plot diagram like in a novel or short story: exposition, rising

action, climax, falling action, resolution

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: SETTING

Setting is where and when the play takes place. In a play, the setting is

usually described in a note or stage direction at the opening of the play and each scene.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: STAGE

DIRECTIONS

Stage directions describe details of the setting and sound effects as well as directing characters how to speak their lines, move, act, and look.

Found in brackets [ ] Describe scenery and how

characters speak C, Center Stage L, Stage Left R, Stage Right U, Upstage or Rear D, Downstage or Front

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: THEME

Theme is a statement about life around which the playwright builds the play.

A play’s theme is its central idea or message.

READING DRAMA

Before, During, and After Reading Strategies

DRAMA: BEFORE READING

SET A PURPOSE FOR READING BY ASKING YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING: What are the main characters like, and what is the relationship among them?

What is the central conflict, and how is it resolved?

What is the theme of the play?

DRAMA: BEFORE READING

PREVIEW THE PLAY BY USING THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST: the title page, including the title and playwright

the cast of characters the general setting the number of pages, acts, and scenes

any background information, photos, or illustrations

DRAMA: BEFORE READING

PLAN A STRATEGY TO HELP YOU ORGANIZE THE PLOT OF THE PLAY AS YOU READ.

For The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, you will be using reading check questions and a plot diagram to help organize the events as they unfold.

DRAMA: DURING READING

READ WITH A PURPOSE BY ASKING THE FOLLOWING BEFORE READING QUESTIONS AGAIN: What are the main characters like, and what is the relationship among them?

What is the central conflict, and how is it resolved?

What is the theme of the play?

DRAMA: AFTER READING

PAUSE AND REFLECT OF HOW WELL YOU UNDERSTOOD THE PLAY BY ASKING YOURSELF: Can I describe the main characters? Can I explain the central conflict in the play and summarize the plot?

What is the main message, or theme, of the play?

Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod

Sterling

Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

~President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

How does fear affect the decisions you make?

What fears might be called "universal"; shared by most almost all humans?

Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

Important Vocabulary To Know:

FLUSTERED SLUGGISHLY ASSENT PERSISTENTLY DEFIANT METAMORPHOSIS SCAPEGOAT