THE ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

These terms refer to aspects that must be present in order for a work of drama to be successful. The elements of drama may seem very similar to the elements of fiction, and they are. The difference is that drama has certain elements that make it unique in its own way. The most important elements are the audience and the characterization when it comes to the authors’ success. However, there can be other elements that can be very crucial.

Here is the element of drama.

A. Theme

The theme is the abstract issues and feelings that grow out of the dramatic action. What the play means as opposed to what happens (the plot). The theme of a drama refers to the central idea of the play. It can either be clearly stated through dialogue or action or can be inferred after watching the entire performance. Sometimes the theme is clearly stated in the title. Or it may be the theme is less obvious and emerges only after some study or thought.

B. Plot

The order of events occurring in a play is referred to as the plot of the drama. It is the basic storyline that is narrated through a play. Plot is the arrangement of the overall structure of dramatic literature. The plot is the literary element that describes the sequence of a story. In drama, plot is structured with acts and scenes.

C. Setting

The setting in dramatic literature is where the play takes place. It is everything about the place, including the time of day the play takes place. The playwright uses language to create the setting and the scenes tell the reader information about it.

D. Music

This element of drama comprises of the melody in the use of sounds and rhythm in dialogues as well as melodious compositions, which form a part of many plays. If the scenes of a play are accompanied by well-suited pieces of music, they become more effective on the audiences. Hence, music forms a very important element of drama.

Music is not a part of every play.  But, music can be included to mean all sounds in a production.  Music can expand to all sound effects, the actor’s voices, songs, and instrumental music played as underscore in a play.

E. Spectacle

Spectacle is the arrangement of the features of a drama. It is a design of everything that the audience sees as they watch the play. This refers to visual element. It include:

a)    The arrangement of stage

b)    Lighting Design

c)    Costume Design

d)    Makeup