Write a Drama

Essential Elements of Drama 

• Plot – A plot is a sequence of events that creates a story.    
• Theme – Main idea of the story. 
• Characters – They lead the story from the beginning till the end.  
• Dialogue –It refers to the words written by playwright and spoken by characters in a drama.  
• Music –It can be background score or sound effects that add to the intensity.  
• Spectacle –It can be anything that audience sees on stage. Sets, costumes, props and special light effects.   

Six Elements of a Plot 

• Exposition -Characters and setting introduction. 
• Main conflict or problem arises.   
• Rising action -The main character is in crisis. Story gets complicated with multiple events. 
• Climax-Occurrence of a major event.  
• Falling Action -The story begins to slow down and move towards resolving the conflict. 
• Resolution –Resolves the conflict and story ends.   

Theme – The main idea of the story can be explicit or at times need to be inferred. 

Some of the common themes are:  

• Courage and perseverance 
• Family  
• Friendship  
• Society values 
• Human traits and transformation   

Character – A character is a person, animal or thing in a story. 

Types of character:  

Major characters  

• Protagonist-Hero –Main character around which the story revolves. Example-Harry Potter.  
• Antagonist -Villain–This character/characters’ cause conflict for the protagonist.  

Minor characters -They play a large part in the story. Their actions may impact the intensity of conflict.   

Different Genres of Drama  

• Melodrama 
• Comedy 
• Tragedy 
• Thriller 
• Musical  
• Romance 
• Political 

Examples:  

• Comedy – A Midsummer Night’s Dream 
• Musical –Phantom of the Opera  

• Tragedy –Romeo and Juliet  

Drama/play script –It is a manuscript of a play. 

Main Elements of Script Writing   

• Title –Name of the play. 
• Playwright – Writer of the play. 
• List of characters and their respective relationships.  
• Cast- Actors/ actresses in the play. 
• Setting, scenes and act – The acts are longer sections of the play made up of multiple scenes. The scenes are shorter sections. Setting normally changes as per the scenes. 
• Name of the characters and dialogues.    
• Stage directions – stage directions are instructions for technical components of the performance such as lighting, sound, clothing, scenery, or props, as well as the movement of performers on stage.   

Steps of Writing a Drama /Play script 

• Outline a plot and create a story.  
• Give a suitable title.    
• Divide the story into three acts.     
• Write scenes for each act.  

• Write dialogues and actions (Narrator lines to be included if necessary). 
• Incorporate technical features like sets, costumes, props, lighting and sound.  
• Review the script for edits and improvisation.   
• Take constructive feedback.    
• Prepare the final script.