FUNDAMENTALS OF DRAMA

Assume that you are a playwright in Eureka Springs, AR. What would you need in order to put on a successful play today?

Elements of Tragedy

Plot Arrangement of incidents;

complication/unraveling

Elements of Tragedy

Plot Character

Moral qualities of the people portrayed

Elements of Tragedy

Plot Character Thought

Enunciation of general truths (mimesis)

Elements of Tragedy

Plot Character Thought Diction

Expression of meaning in words (prose/verse)

Elements of Tragedy

Plot Character Thought Diction Melody

Musical accompaniment

Elements of Tragedy

Plot Character Thought Diction Melody Spectacle

Staging; costumes; machinery

Elements of Plot

Exposition/Prologue Information about earlier events presented

Elements of Plot

Exposition/Prologue Inciting Incident

Establishes the conflict

Elements of Plot

Exposition/Prologue Inciting Incident Complication

Discoveries that change the course of action

Elements of Plot

Exposition/Prologue Inciting Incident Complication Crisis

Turning point

Elements of Plot

Exposition/Prologue Inciting Incident Complication Crisis Resolution

Ties together loose ends

Other Terms

Recognition scene Character learns the truth

Other Terms

Recognition scene Character learns the truth

Reversal An action that expected to have one result

produces the opposite