Dramatic Test: Quiz on Elements of Drama

Study Notes

Dramatic Elements of Drama

Action refers to what characters say or do to achieve their goals.
Aside is a remark or speech by an actor meant for the audience, not for other characters.
Backstory refers to past events leading up to the plot.

Dramatic Techniques

Deus Ex Machina is an unexpected person or thing that suddenly appears to solve a problem.
Discovery is when the protagonist finally understands a situation.
Dramatic Convention is a technique used repeatedly in drama that the audience recognizes and accepts.
Flashback portrays past events providing context to the current situation.
Foreshadowing hints at what is to happen next through dialogue, objects, or events.

Plot Development

Inciting Incident introduces the main character to the conflict, motivating them to resolve it.
In Media Res begins the story in the middle of an action, with the conflict already underway.
Monologue is a long speech delivered by a character to another who listens silently.
Reversal is an unexpected change in the story, often resulting from a character's actions or mistakes.

Character Insights

Soliloquy is a speech by a character to express their thoughts and feelings.
Stakes refer to what is at risk, motivating the character to succeed.
Surprise is an unexpected event, often used to create suspense.

Audience Engagement

Suspense creates anticipation, making the audience concerned for the characters.
Surprise and suspense are used to engage the audience and create attachment to the characters.

Defining Drama

Drama is a genre of literature presenting actions and words of characters on the stage.
It is written to be performed, not read, and is the most concrete of all genres.

5 Elements of Drama

Characters can be humans, animals, ideas, or objects, depending on the story.
Setting is the environment in which the story takes place, including time, location, social conditions, and more.
Theme is the central idea or underlying meaning of the drama.
Plot is the series of events in the play, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Dialogue is one of the most significant elements, as the plot moves forward through character interactions.

Description

Test your knowledge of the key elements that make up a drama, including dramatic techniques, action, and asides. Learn how playwrights, directors, and stage managers work together to create a compelling performance.