This document provides an overview and introduction to drama as a literary form. It begins with brief definitions of drama, then outlines Freytag's pyramid model of plot structure with exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It provides a brief history of Western drama from Ancient Greece and Rome to the Renaissance and modern forms. It suggests strategies for reading drama as fiction, poetry, and performance. It concludes with references and further resources for studying drama.

1. Drama: A Prologue in a Dozen Slides
English 112—College Composition II
Blue Ridge Community College
Ms. Montgomery

2. ‘Ere we start our study, the scholars
have their say . . .

3. Brief Definitions
 “The form of composition designed for
performance in the theater, in which actors take
the roles of the characters, perform the indicated
action, and utter the written dialogue” (Abrams
69).
 “[D]rama is literature designed for impersonation
by people—actors—for the benefit and delight of
other people—an audience” (Roberts and
Jacobs 845).

4. Plot Structure/Freytag’s Pyramid
Climax/Acme/Apex/Turning Point
Falling
Action
Rising
Action Denoument
Resolution
Exposition

5. Brief History of Western Drama (adapted from
Roberts and Jacobs 856-63)
 Ancient Greece: origin of tragedy and comedy
 Ancient Rome: tragedy and comedy continue,
drama of less social importance, closet drama
 Fall of Rome/Dark Ages: virtual disappearance
of public theater

6.  Medieval Drama: portions of Christian church
services; Corpus Christi plays, Mystery Cycles,
LatinEnglish; miracle and morality plays
 Renaissance Drama: ancient and medieval
forms combine as secular drama; rebirth of
tragedy and comedy
 Since the Renaissance: continuation and new
forms: tragicomedy, melodrama, and
social/problem drama

7. Strategies for Reading Drama like
Fiction
 plot
 setting
 character development
 theme
 protagonist/antagonist
 narrative structure
 point-of-view
 symbolism
 allegory
 allusion
 irony

8. Strategies for Reading Drama like
Poetry
 rhyme/rhythm schemes (if applicable)
 line divisions
 figurative language
 sound of language
 tone
 mood
 voice

9. Strategies for Reading Drama as
Performance
 casting considerations
 color scheme
 props
 venue
 scenery
 lighting
 music/other sound effects
 cinematic techniques

10. Works Cited
 Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary
Terms. 7th ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt
Brace, 1999.
 Roberts, Edgar V. and Henry E. Jacobs.
Literature: An Introduction to Reading
and Writing. 3rd compact edition.
Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006.

11. Further Resources (right click to
open in a new window from Bb)
 A helpful overview from Gallaudet University:
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/literature/drama.html
 Information for both students and fans of drama, compiled by the
MIT Libraries:
http://libraries.mit.edu/guides/subjects/literature/drama.html
 An interactive timeline with key terms and personalities from
Northwest Missouri State University:
http://www.nwmissouri.edu/LIBRARY/courses/theatre/time/WTT.htm
 Shakespeare’s Globe:
http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/

12. Local Opportunities
 The American Shakespeare Center:
http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com/
 BRCC’s Productions:
http://www.brcc.edu/fac/
 Other colleges and community theaters
 Others?

13. Here ends our prologue, and begins
our play . . .