Elements.
Techniques and
Literary Devices in Drama
DRAMA
Derived from the Greek word “darn” meaning to
do or to act. It is a work of art made up of words,
which is meant to be performed on the stage.
Drama is a mode of fictional representation
through dialogue and performance. It is one of
the literary genres, which is an imitation of some
action. Drama is also a type of a play written for
theater, television, radio, and film.
TYPES OF DRAMA
1. Tragedy
A drama in which character is brought to a disastrous end in his
confrontation with a superior force.
Ex. Romeo and Juliet
2. Melodrama
A term applied to any literary work that relies on implausible events and
sensational action for its effects. A melodramatic story ends happily, with
Protagonist defeating the Antagonist, at the last possible moment.
Ex. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
3. Comedy
It is a work intended to interest, involve and amuse the reader or the
audience in which no terrible disaster occurs and at the ends happily for the
main character.
Ex. The fly that forgets its name
4. Farce
A play that is characterized by broad humor, wild antics
and often slapstick, pratfalls or other physical humor.
Ex. La Cage aux Folles.
5. Musical drama
Dramatists not only tell their stories through acting and
dialogue, but through dance as well as music. Often
the story may be comedic, though it may also involve
serious subjects.
Ex. Sing Street
TWO KINDS OF LITERARY DEVICES
• Literary Elements have an inherent existence in
literary piece and are extensively employed by
writers to develop a literary piece e.g. plot, setting,
structure, mood, etc.
• Literary Techniques, on the contrary, are structures
usually a word or phrases in literary texts that writers
employ to achieve not merely artistic ends but also
reads a greater understanding and appreciation of
their literary works.
ELEMENTS OF DRAMATIC
LITERATURE
1. Plot, Action, Conflict
It is an ordered chain of physical, emotional, and intellectual
events that ties the action together. It is planned sequence of
interrelated actions that begins in a state of imbalance, grows
out of conflict, reaches a peak of complications, and resolves
into new situation.
2. Character
A person created by the playwright to carry the action, language,
ideas and emotional of the play.
3. Point of view and perspective
The playwright gives us the objective raw materials. Which
is the actions and the words but ranges them in such a way
that we ourselves must draw all the conclusions.
4. Setting, Sets, Scenery
In the text of play, the setting is usually described in the
opening stage directions. In a production scenery, it is the
first thing we see on stage.
5. Diction, Imagery, Style and Language
Their language may reflect the details of their deepest
thoughts about life. Their words must fir the circumstances,
the time and the place of the play
6. Tone and atmosphere
Tone in drama as in other literature, signifies the way moods
and attitudes are created and presented.
7. Symbolism and allegory
As in fiction and poetry, symbols represent meaning or
signifies beyond the intrinsic identity of the symbol itself.
8. Subject and theme
Playwrights do write their plays with a design to dramatize
ideas about the human condition, which explores to
constitute the play’s subject.
COMMON LITERARY TECHNIQUES
1. Vocal Dynamics
Volume, pitch, pausing, intonation, pace and accent can all influence
audience understanding of a character and the tension of the scene.
2. Body language and mannerism
Character is conveyed through posture, gesture, and facial expression.
In this way, the audience can instantly identify with a character type or
understand a situation without a word being spoken.
3. Use and awareness of space
The positioning of objects and body stage and the relationships between
them are a vital means of making meaning
LITERARY DEVICES
1. Allegory
A work that symbolizes or represents an idea or event.
2. Alliteration
The repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in
succession.
3. Allusion
An indirect reference to a person, place, thing, event, or idea.
4. Analogy
A parallel between disparate ideas, people, things, or events,
that is more elaborate than a metaphor or simile.
5. Anthropomorphism
The interpretation of a non-human animal, event, or
object as embodying human qualities or characteristics.
6. Anachronism
An intentional or unintentional error in chronology or a
timeline.
7. Colloquialism
An informal piece of dialogue or turn of phrase used in
everyday conversation.
8. Diction
The word choice and speaking style of a writer or
character.
9. Elegy
A poem expressing grief or death.
10. Epiphany
A moment of sudden realization by a character.
11. Euphemism
A less provocative or milder term used in place of a
more explicit or unpleasant one.
12. Foreshadowing
Hinting at future or subsequent events to come to
build tension in a narrative.
