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Feb 29, 2024 · Dialogue is comprised of the words directly spoken by characters, while actions are the physical movements of the actors. In a novel, action is described in detail and dialogue is usually put in quotation marks. For example, consider the following example of action and dialogue from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde:
It’s a judgement call, specific to the piece. Dialogue usually contains “provocation” towards action. It is part of the action/reaction flow between characters. One character says something, the other reacts, moving the drama along in the direction of the spine.
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- Action
- Audience
- Climax
- Conflict
- Contrast
- Convention
- Dramatic Moment
- Energy
- Focus / Emphasis
- Language / Text
Action, or dramatic action, refers to the propelling of the plot from one moment to the next in the drama. This will naturally relate to the structure of the play, as the action moves forward from the early stages (exposition) to the inciting incident, rising action, one or more crises, the climax, falling action, and then the conclusion. See the “...
Of all the essential elements of drama, the audience must exist for it to be considered a performance – a play without an audience should be considered a rehearsal. An audience can specifically refer to the engagement actors have with their audience through performance, known as the actor-audience relationship. The exact nature of this relationship...
Most dramas will have one or more crises in the development of the plot. A crisis is a key moment of dramatic tension and conflict in the play, usually occurring between two or more characters and having serious implications for the outcome of the plot. The ultimate crisis, or highest peak, is usually called the climax and often (but not always) oc...
Conflict is one of the key elements of drama. Playwright George Bernard Shaw once said ‘No conflict, no drama’. How right he was! A drama that lacks conflict is normally dull and uninspiring. As a rule, conflict should always be considered an essential ingredient for all dramatic performances. Conflict can be between two or more characters, or simp...
Without the careful use of contrast, performances are boring and lack tension. In simple terms, contrast is a point of difference. An obvious example of contrast is a sad scene followed by a happy scene. But contrast can be created in more subtle and sophisticated ways, such as manipulating the drama to create a change in setting, pace, or time. Th...
A convention is an acting or staging technique. Examples of conventions include the use of a narrator, an aside, a soliloquy, a direct address, the use of placards, songs, etc. Conventions are often associated with performance styles, which in turn are commonly associated with one or more theatre practitioners. Sometimes conventions are linked more...
A moment, or dramatic moment, is self-explanatory. It is a specific moment in the play, usually lasting only a short time, where the action is dramatic in some way. But being dramatic does not always mean loud noises and lots of moving characters. A dramatic moment can be a poignant moment of stillness or silence. Dramatic moments can also occur wi...
Energy is the intensity of a character’s actions in the drama. Many plays contrast one or more high-energy characters with low-energy characters. Energy, therefore, refers to both vivacious and vibrant characters as well as slow, dispirited, or tired characters. Before a character can be portrayed with a certain type of energy, the performer must p...
Focus has multiple meanings in drama and performance. While it can often be used interchangeably with the term concentration, as an element of drama, focus is more often associated with emphasis. Unlike in movies or television, where the filmmaker can zoom into the actor or area in question, in the theatre, we need to employ other techniques to att...
The use of language in performance can be verbal, vocal, or non-verbal. Language is normally spoken text. It is the written script realised in performance. While normally spoken by the actor, language can also be chanted or sung. Language can also deliberately be nonsensical for dramatic effect. The choice of language as one of the elements of dram...
Aug 21, 2023 · Contents. What is Dialogue? How to Use Dialogue in Stories. Dialogue and Character Development. How to Format Dialogue. Dialogue Punctuation Rules. How to Write Realistic Dialogue. Dialogue Dos and Don'ts. Dialogue Writing Exercises. Dialogue in Different Genres. Dialogue Examples from Literature.
Dialogue is a literary device used by writers to represent a conversation between two or more characters. It is one of the most vital elements in storytelling as it serves multiple functions: advancing the plot, revealing character traits, and creating an emotional connection with the reader.
How Dialogue Drives The Narrative. In film and literature, dialogue isn’t just a means of communication between characters – it’s a driving force for the narrative. Dialogue advances the story, pushing both the plot and character development forward in a way that’s seamless and engaging.
May 26, 2023 · Last Updated May 26, 2023. Dialogue refers to conversations between characters in a work of literature or a play. Writers use dialogue to develop the characters in a work and to move the plot.
