Element Of Drama

Supporting lecturer : Irawansyah,M.Pd

Subject : Drama
Semester 5 / Class : 5b

Arranged By Group 2:

Nadhiya Annisa Nurisni 2111040068

Okta Indah Safitri 2111040203
Syahyu Chania Putri 2111040227
Lekat Syukur Ihza 2111040173
Satria Alam 2111040092

RADEN INTAN STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF

LAMPUNG FACULTY OF TARBIYAH AND
TEACHER TRAINING ENGLISH EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT 2023/2024

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 INTRODUCTION

Drama is a composition of prose or poetry that is transformed into a performance on stage. The
story progresses through interactions between its characters and ends with a message for the audience.
What are the different elements of drama? How are they related to each other? How do they affect the
quality and thereby the popularity of a play? Read on to find out.

DICUSSION
Element Of Drama
English as a Foreign Language (EFL), and we will study it with Drama before that, here are the
Elements of Drama :

1. Text
In the context of elements of drama, "text" refers to the written or spoken words, dialogue, and
script that form the content of the play. The text is the primary written material that the playwright
creates and the actors perform to convey the story, characters, and themes to the audience. It includes:

A. Dialogue: The spoken words and conversations among characters that drive the plot, reveal
character personalities, and convey the story's messages.

B. Stage Directions: Instructions within the script that guide the actors on how to move, gesture,
and interact with the set and props. They provide details about the physical actions and
movements of the characters.

C. Monologues and Soliloquies: Extended speeches by characters that may reveal their inner
thoughts, emotions, or conflicts. Monologues are delivered to other characters, while soliloquies
are private speeches delivered directly to the audience.

D. Exposition: Information provided through the text to introduce the setting, characters, and
background, allowing the audience to understand the context of the story.

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 E. Subtext: Unspoken or implied meanings, intentions, or emotions that are conveyed indirectly
through the text. Subtext often requires the audience to read between the lines.

The text is a fundamental element in drama because it serves as the foundation for the performance.
Actors interpret and bring the text to life through their performances, and the audience engages with the
story and characters based on the words and language used in the script. Playwrights carefully craft the
text to achieve their dramatic goals, create memorable characters, and convey the themes and messages
of the play.

2. Language
Language is a critical element of drama that encompasses the use of words, dialogue, and
communication within a theatrical performance. Here are some key aspects of language in the elements
of drama:

A. Dialogue: Dialogue is the spoken language between characters in a play. It serves to advance the
plot, reveal character traits, and convey emotions. Effective dialogue is crucial for character
development and the overall storytelling.

B. Monologue and Soliloquy: These are extended speeches delivered by a single character.
Monologues are often addressed to other characters, while soliloquies are private thoughts
expressed to the audience. They provide insights into a character's inner thoughts and
motivations.

C. Diction: Diction refers to the choice of words and language style used by characters. The diction
can reveal a character's background, education, and personality. It also influences the tone and
atmosphere of the play.

D. Language Variation: In some dramas, characters may speak in different dialects, languages, or
registers, reflecting their social status, culture, or identity. These variations can add depth to the
characters and the setting.

E. Nonverbal Communication: In addition to spoken language, nonverbal communication is

essential in drama. This includes gestures, body language, facial expressions, and physical
actions, all of which convey meaning and emotion.

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 F. Subtext: Subtext is the unspoken or hidden meaning beneath the dialogue. Characters may say
one thing but mean another. Effective use of subtext can create tension and intrigue in a play.

G. Language as a Symbol: Language can also be used symbolically in drama. Words or phrases
may hold deeper meaning or symbolism that adds layers to the story and its themes.

Language in drama is a powerful tool for conveying emotions, character development, and the central
themes of the play. Playwrights and actors carefully craft the language to engage the audience and bring
the story to life.

3. Characters
Aristotle referred to characters as a community. His description encompasses the entire cast of
characters and how each character has its unique impact on the plot. A character in a play includes a
particular personality, beliefs, and principles. The story's protagonist is the perspective from which the
audience identifies and whom the conflict centers around. The antagonist directly opposes the
protagonist. Often the antagonist is portrayed as a villain. Still, the antagonist could be an idea, nature,
or even the protagonist against themselves. A conflict with the protagonist could be either internal or
external. An internal conflict involves the character and themselves. An external conflict could involve
one character vs. another, a character vs. nature, or a character vs. society. The major conflict of the
story will always center around the protagonist. Still, minor conflicts can arise throughout the plot,
either internal or external.

4. Plot
A plot is a sequence of events within a play that tells a story. Essentially, a plot is what makes a
story. Five components make up a plot: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution--
conflict and theme help drive the plot forward. Although characters are introduced in the exposition part
of the plot, a cast of characters is not a component of the overall structure.

A. Exposition - Introduces the setting, characters, and the story's primary conflict.

B. Rising Action - Begins after the introduction of the conflict and carries most of the
story's details. It builds intensity as it progresses toward the climax.

C. Climax - The most intense part of the plot. The conflict is at its most intense moment.

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 D. Falling Action - After the conflict has reached its peak, the story begins to wrap up. Any other
minor disputes are now resolved.

E. Resolution - All loose ends of the story have been resolved. The story concludes.

5. Point Of View
Point of view in drama refers to the perspective or vantage point from which the story is presented or
experienced. It's a narrative technique that influences how the audience perceives the events, characters,
and themes within the play. There are several common types of point of view in drama:

A. First-Person POV: In first-person point of view, a character within the story narrates or presents
the events as they personally experience and perceive them. This provides a subjective and often
intimate look at the story, as the audience sees it through the eyes of the character.

B. Third-Person Limited POV: In this point of view, the narrator is external to the story, and the
audience is given access to the thoughts and feelings of a specific character or a limited set of
characters. It offers a more objective perspective compared to first- person.

C. Third-Person Omniscient POV: In third-person omniscient point of view, an all-knowing

narrator provides insights into the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of multiple characters
within the story. This offers a broader and more comprehensive view of the narrative.

D. Objective or Dramatic POV: In this point of view, the drama is presented in a more detached
and objective manner. The audience observes the actions and dialogue of the characters
without direct access to their inner thoughts or feelings. This style encourages the audience to
draw their own conclusions.

The choice of point of view in a drama can significantly impact how the story is perceived and
understood by the audience. It affects the level of intimacy, empathy, and objectivity in the narrative, as
well as the depth of character exploration. Playwrights carefully consider the POV to achieve their
desired dramatic effects and engage the audience effectively.

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 6. Tone
Tone refers to tone of voice or attitude; the way a voice actor speaks. Tone is closely related to
style; the relationship is symbiotic, given the impact they can have on one another. Tone can be crucial,
particularly if there are pick-ups or re-reads of certain sections of a script spread across more than one
session.
The tone used in writing refers to the feeling the words invoke in the reader.

7. Theme
The theme of a play refers to its central idea. It can either be clearly stated through dialog or
action, or can be inferred after watching the entire performance. The theme is the philosophy that forms
the base of the story or a moral lesson that the characters learn. It is the message that the play gives to
the audience. For example, the theme of a play could be of how greed leads to one’s destroyal, or how
the wrong use of authority ultimately results in the end of power. The theme of a play could be blind
love or the strength of selfless love and sacrifise, or true friendship. For example, the play Romeo and
Juliet, is based on a brutal and overpowering romantic love between Romeo and Juliet that forces them
to go to extremes, finally leading them to self-destruction.

8. Symbolism
A symbol is an object or idea that represents something abstract. Props used by a character can
be symbolic of a statement or plot element. Symbols are a significant element of a play because they
make the scene more effective. An audience does not benefit from being a narrator or hearing the
thoughts of many characters. Symbolism adds depth to a set and prompts the audience to be more
reflective of what they have seen.

9. Structure
Structure refers to the organization and arrangement of various components within a play or
theatrical work. It encompasses how the story is developed, the sequence of events, and the framework
that holds the narrative together. The structure of a drama is essential for creating a coherent and
engaging story, ensuring that the elements like exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution are
placed and interconnected effectively to convey the intended message or emotional impact to the
audience. It provides a framework for the playwright to shape the narrative and for the audience to
follow and understand the unfolding story.

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Conclusion :
Drama has 9 elements, each of which has its own function to perfect a drama. The first is the
text as the foundation of drama, the second is the language used as a medium of communication between
characters, the third is character, then there is a plot usually the most important thing in drama because it
makes the story not flat or boring, then there is point of view, tone, theme, symbolism, structure.

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Reference :
John L Styan, the elements of drama Cambridge University Press, 1960.

Sam, W.Y. (1990). Drama in teaching English as a second language: A communicative

approach. The English Teacher, 9. Retrieved March 2, 2004, from
http//:www.melta.org.mv/html

David Edgar, (2009), making a drama. https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2009/jul/11/drama-edgar-

plays-theatre

Wessels, C. (1987). Drama. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Davina, December 24 2020 the 6 emeny of drama. https://marrzipandrama.co.nz/the-6-elements-of-

drama/