Drama appreciation-Techniques that you must develop(Literature)

Techniques That you must develop

An analysis of the situation, action and characters.
How things change in the course of the passage eg to begin a very tense atmosphere but at the end a happy atmosphere.
The nature of an individual person eg trustworthy..proud etc.
What the characters contribute to the themes and ideas of the passage.
Interaction between characters eg dramatic interaction – conflict-harmony etc.
Importance of staging and physical staging eg a candle lit room etc.

When studying a passage from a play, one must look at SETTING,DICTION,TONE,MOOD,ACTIONS, and MOVEMENT, CHARACTERS and PURPOSE OF STAGE DIRECTION.
Drama is a form of literary art that is different from other genres.
It is written to be performed in front of a live audience.
Drama makes use of dialog.
The story is developed by the direct interaction of characters.

Drama Techniques

Drama makes use of literary and poetic devices but it also have techniques that are specific to it these include:

1.Scene introductions

This is the general background given by the playwright or a dramatist. It establishes the scene and introduces the story. We learn a lot about the description of the setting and the nature of stage arrangements as well as description of characters

2. Stage Directions

These are the playwright’s notes in a particular scene. Through them , we are informed of the movement that takes place on stage. We get to know the gestures and non verbal communication etc.

3.Sustained Dialog

This refers to the dialog between two or more people and through it we are able to determine the character of people as well as their views on a particular aspect.It is through sustained dialog that the rest of the story unfolds.

4. Soliloquy

This is when a character expresses his thoughts on a particular subject to the audience.

5.Monologue

This is when a character is left on the stage to express his/her thoughts on a particular subject. The character will be talking aloud to himself.

6. Aside

These are the utterances that are said on stage that are meant not to be heard by other characters. It would be audible to the audience though the characters will be appearing to be whispering.

7. Irony

Expression through words or events conveying a realist different from and usually opposite to appearance on expectations. This involves the use of descriptions of environmental effects like thunder , lightning etc. Also makes reference to stage lighting. What is important is to relate the effect given by the writer to the development of the drama.