CREATIVE WRITING

Module 1: Nature and Elements of Drama

What is DRAMA?
The word drama comes directly from a Greek word meaning "action" (Classical Greek: δρᾶμα, drama), which is
derived from "I do" (Classical Greek: δράω, drao). Therefore, it means “to act, do or perform”.

Earliest scholars believed that drama originated in Greece, and were first written around fifth century B.C. It evolved
from choral reading in humble platforms to complete theatrical productions. Drama is an imitation of life.

Drama is different from other forms of literature because of its unique characteristics. It is read, but basically, it is
composed to be performed, so the ultimate aim of dramatic composition is for it to be presented on
stage before an audience (Shivaji University, Kolhapur Centre for Distance Education, 2015-2016.

Dramatic Structure
The plot of a drama revolves around a conflict. Although plays are written in several forms and formats, a typical
structure consists of:

A. Exposition When the play opens, you are introduced to the characters and the setting is established.

Alberto S. Florentino’s The World is an Apple is a story which reflects one of

societal problem, poverty. The scene opens with Mario feeling devastated and
hopeless. He arrives home and greeted by Gloria, his wife. This is the exposition
or introduction of the play because the characters and setting are introduced.

b. Conflict is the point where the threat or challenge affects the protagonist.

Types of Conflict:

Internal Conflict (Person vs Self) usually sees troubled characters (often the play’s protagonist) suffering from inner
turmoil.

External Conflict can be between two or more characters and can be nonverbal (psychological), verbal or physical.
But some of the theater's greatest plays see characters either at odds with their environment or experiencing conflict
with the world in which they live. It could be:

Person vs. Fate/God Person vs. Person

Person vs Society Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Supernatural Person vs. Technology

The conflict of the play is when Mario fails to give his salary to Gloria and
confesses that he has lost his job because he was caught stealing an apple.

c. Rising Action
leads to the climax, the tension stemming from the story's central conflict grows through successive plot
developments.

The rising action is the introduction of Pablo in the play. It can be inferred in the
play that he was the one who influenced Mario to resort in doing illegal acts
before Gloria took her husband away from him.

d. Climax
is the turning point of the story. This is the highest point where the protagonist comes face to face with and struggles
against the main conflict.

It is the part when Gloria realizes that Mario and Pablo have been working together again.
e. Falling Action
is the section of the plot following the climax, in which the tension stemming from the story's central conflict
decreases and the story moves toward its conclusion.

It is the part that Mario leaves with Pablo.

f. Denouement
is the final section of a story's plot, in which loose ends are tied up, lingering questions are answered, and a sense
of resolution is achieved.