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