The document provides information about an English class covering several topics: - Grammar session with practice books and online resources - Introduction to drama, its origins and main types (tragedy and comedy) - Elements of drama like script, characters, acts, scenes, stage directions, dialogue, and asides - An upcoming drama performance assignment with expectations, assigned plays and groups, and preparation steps over the next two weeks.

1. Wednesday, January 4 th, 2011
Grammar Session
Introduction to Drama

2. Housekeeping
• Novel Exam marks
• Remainder of Term
• Registering for next term

3. Grammar Session
• Extra practice books
• Answer keys
• Online practice
• Discussion questions

4. Grammar Topics
Write your name under the topic you are going
to work on during this class

5. BREAK

7. Introduction to Drama
• Drama is piece of writing that is intended to be performed
for an audience: stage plays, radio plays, movies, and
television shows
• Western Drama originated in Greece around 500 BC
• Two main types
 tragedy – a sad story with an unhappy ending; the protagonist
usually suffered a loss or punishment
 comedy – an entertaining story that usually make fun of current
events
Source: http://www.dowlingcentral.com/MrsD/area/literature/Drama/drama.html

8. Elements of Drama
• A Script is the written story that details the plot
of the drama and how it should be performed.
• The Dramatis Personae (Cast of Characters)
normally lists the characters in the order of
appearance; Character names are sometimes
followed by a brief description of their
personality and relationships to other characters.

9. Elements of Drama (Cont’d.)
• Acts are the major plot sections of the story. A
play may have one or more acts.
• Scenes are the smaller plot sections within
each Act.

10. Elements of Drama (Cont’d.)
• Set Directions appear at the beginning of the play
or scene. They describe the stage and set, as well
as when and where we are and who is there.
• Stage Directions appear in parentheses (brackets)
within the text of the play primarily describing
the character’s movements .Some stage
directions appear directly within and around the
character’s dialogue to indicate how the
character is speaking or their actions while they
are speaking.

11. Elements of Drama (Cont’d.)
• Dialogue is the conversation between two or
more characters.
• Asides are comments a character makes
directly to the audience. An extended aside is
called a monologue.

12. Drama Performance Assignment
• Expectations and Evaluation
• Plays and Groups
• Texts – you have 20 min to browse.
• Sign-up Sheet
• Preparation

13. Preparation
1. This week you should complete
• First Reading
• Second Reading
2. Next week you should work through the following steps:
• Third Reading
• Blocking
• Memorization
• Interpretation and Rehearsal

14. Homework
• Individual Grammar Study and Practice
• Drama
1. First Reading: Read your historical profile and
script through at least once to get an overall feel
for it.
2. Second Reading: Read the script a second time,
looking up unfamiliar words, reading the margin
notes, and making note of questions to discuss
with your group members next class.