Elements of Drama

Question 1

Dramatic elements

Answer 1

Components essential to every drama work that create, communicate and increase dramatic meaning.

Question 2

Role

Answer 2

Is a part in a theatrical peice that is either somewhat two-dimensional, highly stereotyped, represents an abstract concept, displays a specific human trait (such as emotion, vocation, personality type or human quality)
or functions to personalise a plot event (such as an act of nature).

Question 3

Character

Answer 3

IN GENERAL:
A person or some other creature in a dramatic or literary work.

IN REPRESENTATIONAL DRAMA:
A three dimensional, complex character with an active inner life.

Question 4

Three-dimensional character

Answer 4

A well-rounded, multi-layered part within a drama that has an active inner life and a detailed history.

Question 5

Relationships

Answer 5

The connection (or absence of connection) between characters, based on previous experience, association or awareness (or the lack thereof)

Question 6

Situation

Answer 6

The set of circumstances and states of being that characters or roles in a play experience that typically change from the beginning to the end of the work.

Question 7

Voice

Answer 7

The utilisation of the vocalisation system and vocal techniques to audibly express meaning, create role or character, and have an impact on the other elements of drama.

Question 8

Movement

Answer 8

The utilisation of the body to physically express meaning or take action, create role or character, and have an impact on the other elements of drama.

Question 9

Time

Answer 9

The year, month, date, day and hour of the inner world of the play. It includes, whether actual or imagined, the environmental, physical and contextual factors of the period.

Question 10

Space

Answer 10

The geographical place, such as the room, building, suburb, town, city, state and country of the inner world of the play. It reflects, whether actual or imagined, the

Question 11

Suspension of disbelief

Answer 11

The acceptance of something unreal being real for a period of time.

Question 12

Non-linear time

Answer 12

Time that doesn’t move forward in a logical flow

Question 13

Linear time

Answer 13

Time that moves forward in a logical flow

Question 14

Symbol

Answer 14

An object, person, activity or event that represents something else.

Question 15

Metaphor

Answer 15

The naming of or indication that on object, person, activity or event is another.

Question 16

Mood

Answer 16

The emotional states and attitudes of the characters and roles during performances as the dramatic action unfolds.

Question 17

Atmosphere

Answer 17

The impact and interaction of the performance mood on the audience.

Question 18

Language forms

Answer 18

PROSE: Language in its ordinary form without metre
VERSE: Writing arranged with metered rhythm

Question 19

Arias

Answer 19

A melodious, often emotional song writeen typically for one to four persons in an opera or classically-based musical theatre work.

Question 20

Metre

Answer 20

The flow of poetry and verse by alternating stressed and unstressed syllables.

Question 21

Iamb

Answer 21

A unit of language in poetry or dramatic verse consisting of an unstressed and stressed consonant.

Question 22

Blank Verse

Answer 22

Non-rhyming poetic text written iambic pentameter.

Question 23

Direct address

Answer 23

Where a character turns away from the dramatic action towards the audience in order to speak specifically to them.

Question 24

Narration

Answer 24

Giving an oral or written account of a series of related and usually sequential events.

Question 25

Aside

Answer 25

Where a character uses direct adress to speak to the audience and is unheard by the other characters or roles.

Question 26

Reported speech

Answer 26

A device to comment on action, thoughts and feelings where the speaker talks about oneself using third person language.

Question 27

Dramatic tension

Answer 27

The emotional or psychological pressure that builds during performance as the dramatic action unfolds.

Question 28

Elements of drama

Answer 28

• role, character and relationships
• situation
• voice
• movement
• space and time
• language and texts
• symbol and metaphor
• mood and atmosphere
• dramatic tension