Techniques and

Literary Devices in
Drama
Learning Objectives

In this lesson, you should be able to do

the following:
● Be familiar with the techniques and
literary devices in drama.
● Identify the techniques and literary
devices used by playwrights in the
sample texts.
● Use techniques and literary devices
in a one-act play.
Aside from including the elements of drama, it is also important for
writers to imbue their works with techniques and literary devices. This
allows them to develop their texts and to make their writing more
complex and appealing. Below is a list of techniques and literary devices
you can use in writing drama.
Allusion

Allusion is a reference to an event, character, setting, or

object. There are four types of allusions: biblical,
historical, literary, and mythological.
Biblical allusion
Historical allusion
Literary allusion
Mythological allusion
HAMLET.
Look here upon this picture, and on this, The
counterfeit presentment of two brothers. See what a
grace was seated on this brow, Hyperion’s curls, the
front of Jove himself, An eye like Mars, to threaten
and command, A station like the herald Mercury New
lighted on a heaven-kissing hill: A combination and a
.

form indeed, Where every god did seem to set his

seal, To give the world assurance of a man.
 Book summary
Antagonist

An antagonist in drama is a character who is in opposition to

—or, in other cases, in competition with—the protagonist.
The antagonist is regarded as the villain in a drama.
.
Aside

An aside is a short speech made by a character in a drama. It

.

is not heard by the other characters. Its purpose is for a

.
character to make comments, judgments, and even reveal
secrets to the audience but not to the characters.
Deus Ex Machina

Aaron Loeb Daniel Gallego

 Deus ex machina is a Greek term that literally means god

from the machine. It is a plot device used in drama wherein a
problem that is seemingly unending and unsolvable is
suddenly resolved by an unexpected event.
Dramatic Irony

 Dramatic irony is a type of irony in which

something the characters are oblivious to is made
known to the readers.
Flashback

Flashback is a plot device used wherein past events are

shown to make revelations or. to fill in the gaps that readers
do not know about the story.
Foreshadowing
Aaron Loeb Daniel Gallego

Like flashback, foreshadowing is a plot device

wherein hints are given to the readers to give them
an idea of what is going to happen.
In Medias Res

 In medias res is a Latin term which literally means in the

middle of things. It is a technique used by writers wherein
.

the plot starts in the middle of the story or at a crucial

point and past events are revealed through flashbacks.
Monologue

 A monologue is a speech delivered by a character. Unlike an

aside and a soliloquy, a monologue is heard by other characters
and they can respond to it. It reveals events, actions, and even the
perspectives of the speaking character towards other characters or
events.
Motif

 A motif is a recurring character, image, or object that is

.
important in the development of the theme of a drama.
Protagonist

.
 The protagonist is the leading or main character in a
drama. Sometimes called the
. hero or heroine of the drama,
he or she is the character that the antagonist opposes or
contradicts in the text.
Soliloquy

 A soliloquy
. is a long speech delivered by a character. Like
an aside, it is not heard by other characters in the scene of
.

the drama. Its purpose is to reveal the inner thoughts

and/or motivations of the character.
Stereotypes

 Stereotypes
Aaron Loeb are characters in the drama with
Daniel Gallego a
predetermined set of characteristics that are based on how a
group of people or society identify the type of character
presented. For instance, in horror movies, most police
officers involved are fat and lazy and usually offer little help
to the protagonist.
Symbolism

 Symbolism is the use of a concrete object to represent

an abstract idea. If the symbol is repeatedly used
.

throughout the drama, it becomes a motif.

Unity

Aaron Loeb Daniel Gallego

 The concept of unity is derived from Aristotle’s

Poetics. For Aristotle, drama should have a unity of
action , unity of place, and unity of time .
 ACTIVITY :
True or False. Write true if the statement is correct. Otherwise, write false.
__________ 1. In drama, protagonists should be complex.
__________ 2. All dramas have antagonists.
__________ 3. Character 1 is talking to Character 2. Character 2 made a snide comment about
what Character 1 is discussing with her. The comment is not heard by Character 1 but is
known to the audience. This scenario shows a soliloquy.
__________ 4. The writer should ensure a smooth transition of events when using flashbacks.
__________ 5. In a drama, foreshadowing is when it is only hinted to the readers that the
protagonist will die without directly mentioning it.
Identification: Identify what technique and literary devices is being asked.

_____1. A Latin term that means in the middle of things

_____2. A Greek term that means god from the machine
_____3. A reference to biblical, historical, literary, or mythological figures, settings, or
events
_____4. A reference to biblical, historical, literary, or mythological figures, settings, or
events
_____5. A plot device in which past events are revealed during current instances
_____6. A plot device in which readers are hinted at as to what might
occur in the drama
_____7. A long speech made by a character that other characters can hear
and respond to
_____8. A long speech made by a character that other characters cannot
hear
_____9. The hero or heroine in the drama
_____10. The villain in the drama
Thank You For Listening!