​What is drama?

​In simple terms.....

Drama is a genre of literature meaning that it is a play that can be presented.

​What are the elements of drama?

​PLOT

​Like other literary genres, drama has plot.

​CHARACTERS

​Someone has to deliver the lines..... so, of course, there are characters.

​Dialogue

​Dialogue in drama is the spoken words between characters in a play, film, or television show. It is a key part of dramatic literature, and is used to advance the plot, reveal character traits, and create a sense of realism. 

Dialogue in drama looks different than it does in a story.
​
BENVOLIO
Good-morrow, cousin.
ROMEO
Is the day so young?
BENVOLIO
But new struck nine.
ROMEO
Ay me! sad hours seem long.

​In drama, "conflict" refers to the central struggle or clash between opposing forces, characters, or ideas that drives the story forward, creating tension and compelling the audience to engage with the narrative.

​Conflict

​Stage Directions

​"Stage directions" in drama are written instructions within a play script that guide actors on how to move, behave, and deliver lines on stage, providing details about character actions, setting, mood, and other elements not explicitly stated in the dialogue; essentially, they are the playwright's instructions to the director and actors on how to bring the scene to life

​Acts and Scenes

I​n a play, an "act" is a major division of the story, like a chapter in a book, while a "scene" is a smaller section within that act, often marked by a change in setting or characters; for example, "Act I, Scene 1" would refer to the first scene of the first act of a play, where the initial exposition is typically introduced.