[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Main College Site ] [ Performing Arts at BCC ] [ GCSE Drama ] [ NCFE Performing Arts ] [ Assignments ] [ Recommended Reading ] [ Assessment Dates ] [ Usher St.Theatre Co. ]

Introduction to Dramatic Structure

The basis of drama is CONFLICT

PROTAGONIST:

agent trying to move the action forward

ANTAGONIST:

agent trying to stop the action

PLOT:

The series of events that happen before the audience.

The plot can be thought of as how the work is organized.

THEME:

The particular subject matter of the work.  What the author or

playwright is commenting on in the work.

EXPOSITION:

Who, Where, When.  The beginning of the story or Play.

ANTECEDENT ACTION:

events that have occurred before the play begins.

INITIAL INCIDENT:

(also known as Inciting Action) First sign of a problem.  Beginning of the

conflict.

RISING ACTION:

The conflict becomes more complex. (When reading a script for this class you must identify at least three points of rising action.)

CLIMAX:

The highest point of tension.  The turning point of the play.

The situation can get no worse.  Something must break.

RESOLUTION:

These events tell which way the climax broke.

FALLING ACTION:

Events leading to the conclusion.

CONCLUSION:

Tells the outcome of the entire situation.

DENOUEMENT:

The why, or the explanation of the outcome.

*Make note that some consider conclusion and denouement one in the same.