Dramatic Conventions Glossary

Structure

Climax: toward the end of a narrative/drama, a turning point occurs which indicates to the reader how the characters negotiate change in their world

Complication: aspect of the plot where an issue arises and tests the characters

Denouement/resolution: all the loose ends of the narrative are resolved in the concluding part of the text

Design: the overall design concept of the staging of the play, lighting, staging sound, costume and make-up

Exposition: the beginning of the narrative in which the characters, setting, context and central themes are introduced

Scene: the sections into which a play is divided by the playwright

Set: stage\acting area complete with furniture

Setting: the place and time period in which a text is set, indicated by weather, time of day, urban/rural environment, social expectations

Stage directions: information in the written play that gives advice to the actors and director about setting, characters and line delivery

Language

Colloqualisms: language that is used in informal or ordinary conversations, as opposed to formal, or literary language

Dialogue: direct speech from characters, the main linguistic structural feature of a play

Metaphor: stronger than a simile, something that IS something else, does not use ‘like’ or ‘as’

Monologue: when a single character speaks on stage revealing motivations, personality and point of view

Pitch: how loudly dialogue is spoken, can change to enhance passion or humour etc

Register: the level of language used, how a characters use language in different situations

Simile: a phrase that includes ‘like’ or ‘as’ when comparing two different things

Slang: informal or ‘spoken’ language particular to a social group

Soliloquy: an utterance or discourse by a person who is talking to himself or herself or is disregardful of or oblivious to any hearers present (often used as a device in drama to disclose a character's innermost thoughts) Impact on Audience

Audience: the spectators of an event or play

Black Comedy: topics and events that are usually regarded as taboo are treated in a satirical or humorous manner while retaining their seriousness

Cast: the actors who will rehearse and play the role of the characters

Comedy: a dramatic performance which pits two forces against each other in an amusing conflict, often with the powerless and the social conventions that set obstacles

Dramatic Irony: a character in a play is made to say something of ignorance of its full or deeper meaning, the audience and other characters usually know more than the speaker and are able to appreciate the tragic irony of the speaker’s situation

Farce: a light, humorous play in which the plot depends upon a skillfully exploited situation rather than upon the development of character

Interpretation: the meaning made of a given piece of text based on evidence found within the text

Irony: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning

Pathos: the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling of pity or compassion.

Riposte: a verbal quip or one-liner

Sexual innuendo: an indirect intimation of a sexual nature

Slapstick: broad comedy characterized by boisterous action, as the throwing of pies in actors' faces, mugging, and obvious farcical situations and jokes