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EN9WC-IIId-9.4: Identify
types and features of a play
synopsis.
 PLAY
SYNOPSIS
 PLAY
Is a literary form of writing for
theatre, which narrates a story
with elements of conflicts,
tensions, and actions through
dialogues of characters.
 PLAY
For dramatic significance, it is
divided into acts and scenes.
The writers present their feelings,
emotions, and ideas through their
characters and make them speak.
 SYNOPSIS
Is a brief summary that gives
audiences an idea of what a
composition is about. It provides
an overview of the storyline or
main points.
TYPES OF PLAY
 TRAGEDIES
these plays focus on a tragic hero
(or couple, as in Romeo and Juliet)
whose downfall is brought about
through weaknesses or misfortune
of some kind.
 COMEDIES
this kind of play involves
humor and often
confusion, disguise,
mistaken identity etc.
 HISTORIES
this kind of play based on
historical events and characters,
often on kings or important
figures from Roman history.
 ROMANCES
these are some of Shakespeare’s later
plays (sometimes called “Last Plays), and
often involve magical worlds and
happenings, mysterious events and moral
lessons contained within a ‘happy’ ending.
Basic Elements
of a Play
 PLOT
arrangement of
events or incidents in
the story.
 CHARACTER
the agents of the
plot.
 THEME
the reason the
playwright wrote
the play.
 LANGUAGE
“vivid characters” (6) facing and
overcoming recognizable
obstacles need to express
themselves in “heightened
language”
 RHYTHM
heart of the.
play.
 SPECTACLE
everything that is
seen or heard on
stage.
 ACTIVITY:
Write A if you agree with
the statement; D if you
disagree.
____1. Is a change in
time one scene play?
____2. Does a one-act
play has all elements of
drama?
____3. Is drama and play
the same.
____4. Is dialogue or script
a written conversation in a
play?
____5. Is theater
the same as
movie?