types of drama in creative writing

7 Different Types of Drama in Literature!

Drama , popularly understood as a performing art, is one of the major modes of representation of fiction . Alternatively, drama is also a genre of visual and written media, used for comparatively serious narrative fiction . However, drama in literature is characterized by a narrative with dialogues and performance. Whether enacted in theatres, radio shows or incorporated into written media, drama is all around us. In this article, let’s learn briefly about the history , significance and different types of drama in literature!

What is Drama?

History of Drama in Literature

Dramatic Expression

Drama of literature or closet drama.

Drama Type – Comedy
Drama Type – Tragedy

Tragi-Comedy

Drama Type – Melodrama
Drama Type – Musical

Interesting Facts About Greek Drama and Theater

Parting thoughts.

Etymologically, the word drama comes from the Greek word “ draō ” which means “to do/ to act”. Have you ever noticed two marks representing drama? These masks identified with drama illustrate the classic conventional distinction between comedy and tragedy.

Drama, to this day, remains a precious art of collaborative production and reception, performed at a theatre for an audience. You might have enjoyed one yourself. However, it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that this art is slowly fading off. We have neglected the art too much but there’s still time . The importance of theatre art should be inculcated in everyone, whether children or adult.

There are many different forms of drama, including mime, closet drama, improvisations, musicals, opera and others. Some of these forms have found their way into a dramatic literary corpus. For example, a closet drama refers exactly to what was written for reading, not performance. Others are specifically performative drama such as mime. It refers to a theatrical performance of gestures and suggestions of emotions and actions without the use of dialogues .

In simple words, hence, drama in literature is a performance of a narrative with dialogues, performed sometimes with dance and music according to a script. This script in a written form is widely read and enjoyed.

History of Drama in Literature

Ancient greeks.

As you can already guess, we can trace drama straight back to Ancient Greece, where Western drama originated. The cultural city of Athens mainly produced three types of drama – tragedy, comedy and satyr play. The exact origin of drama, or plays is obscure, as is the custom for so many cultural traditions.

However, drama as a mode of celebration was institutionalised in Athens in the 5th century BC through competitions to honour the God Dionysus. From the ancient period, only the works of a few dramatists remain to this day.

Some of them are:

Aristophanes

Ancient Romans

Next comes, yes, you guessed it right, Rome!

The Romans came across Greek drama when they captured several territories of the Ancient Greece in the 3rd century BC. By means of the Roman Empire, the art of drama spread far and wide. However, few works survive of the Roman dramatists.

Medieval Period

In the medieval period, churches took it upon themselves to popularize drama by encouraging enactments of biblical events.
These types of drama would require two groups to sing in Latin and by the 11th century, this type of drama spread through the whole of Europe and even Russia.
In the middle ages, plays were generally religious in thematic contexts because they served as important means of disseminating religious codes and education. However, secular and morality plays were also popular.

Elizabethan Period

The 16th and 17th century England was perhaps the most important period for drama. At this time, most plays were written in verses in iambic pentameter . It is a type of metric line used in poetry and verse drama. It specifies the rhythm or meter in a particular line. In addition to William Shakespeare , Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton and Ben Jonson are important playwrights of this period. The themes of such plays were largely drawn from the mythology of Ancient Greece or Roman mythology.

English Restoration Comedies in the period of the 17th and 18th centuries were also popular, bringing on the renaissance of English drama in literature. Stealing from Greeks, Romans and other European counterparts, sexual explicitness, urbane, cosmopolitan wit, current topical literature, and dense, busy storylines marked English Restoration Comedies.

During the second wave of Restoration comedy in the 1690s, William Congreve and John Vanbrugh’s “softer” plays sought to appeal to a more socially diversified audience with a large middle-class element, as well as female viewers.

Modern and Post-Modern Period

Innovative branches of drama led by Norwegian Henrik Ibsen and German Bertolt Brecht marked the 19th and 20th centuries. These plays were marked by realist and modern, experimental themes, social critique. Some important playwrights of this period are George Bernard Shaw, Arthur Miller, Antonin Artaud and others.

Expression of drama, or the language of drama stems from the understanding and context of the text depicted. Different types of drama in literature have different expressions. It can be ritualistic and exaggerated or parallel the motion pictures. Britannica mentions the authors of ancient Greek ceremonial theatre who wrote in verses, and it is thought that their performers delivered this in an incantatory manner midway between speech and song . The result of such rhythmic word delivery was to raise the tone of the entire theatre to that of religious adoration.

A poem accompaniment makes the performers’ highly stylized system of symbolic movements of head and eyes, arms and fingers a harmonic totality in Indian play. The tragic soliloquy in Shakespeare allowed the hero, alone on stage with the audience, to evaluate his thoughts aloud in the persuasive terms of poetry.

What is Drama in Literature ?

Drama is strongly linked to literature, so much so that the two are practically inseparable. For an instance, the play Hamlet has both dramatic and literary value.

Drama can reach an audience in two ways

by way of hearing
by way of sight.

Consequently, drama is broadly of two types:

the drama of action
the drama of literature.
Dialogues and scenes are written particularly to appeal to the reader.
In this, dramatists follow the narrative via written performance and build tension around the plot .
For an instance, let’s take Hamlet. We keep on wondering whether Prince Hamlet will ever revenge his father’s death and free himself of his bothersome ghosts and visions of floating daggers by slaying the play’s antagonist Claudius.

Types of Drama in Literature

There are 7 types of drama in literature to bring out the narrative. These are:

Let’s look at each of them!

Drama Type – Comedy

Comedy is a type or genre of drama that is intended to make people laugh. However, humour is not the only quality that signifies a comedy. The main themes of a comedy are-

The tone is lighthearted.
Ingenious wordplay or twists of phrases.
Serious issues are addressed in a lighthearted manner.
Misunderstandings are amusing.
A happy ending.
Characters who are silly and out of the ordinary.
Usually concludes with a wedding, especially in romantic comedies.

The sub- genres of comedy include romantic comedies, sentimental comedies and others. William Shakespeare ’s “Much Ado About Nothing” is one of the most famous instances of comedy. With smart banter and more than a few stupid misunderstandings, Beatrice and Benedick go from enemies to lovers. And, as is customary in Shakespearean comedies, it concludes with a wedding!

Another Shakespearean comedy is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This romantic comedy addresses one of his favourite themes, “love conquers all,” with a funny twist. Young couples continually fall in and out of love as a result of a sequence of humorous and surprising events. Their equally humorous real-world problems are magically solved by a mischievous sprite named Puck as they tackle the flaws of love. Old enemies will soon become friends, and truly loved ones will meet again to live happily at Shakespeare’s happy ending.

Farce is another type of drama in literature which is, broadly humorous, however, there are significant differences between a comedy and a farce. The main themes of farce are-

Exaggerated wit
Jokes that are slapstick
The plot is illogical.
Unexpected occurrences
Humor is frequently coarse and inappropriate.

The play “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett is a case on point. But, The plot revolves around two guys, Vladimir and Estragon. The men wait beneath a tree for Godot, a mystery figure. We do discover, though, that Godot continually sends word that he would arrive the next day, but this never happens. In other words, nothing happens with any surety in this drama.

Drama Type – Tragedy

Therefore, tragedies are one of the most common and popular types of drama. As you can probably guess, tragedies tend to be sad. However, there is more to tragedies than that. The main themes are-

A fatal fault in the protagonist
Situations that easily spiral out of control — and not in a good way
Human agony, hate, or poverty are frequent topics. These are darker topics than in a melodrama.
Describes the demise of a once heroic or well-liked persona.
An unredeemable conclusion in which one or more characters die
Arrives at a terrible catharsis

Shakespeare offers a plethora of tragedies from which to pick. Few, however, can compare to “Othello” in terms of its vicious villain, tragic demise of its hero, and heartbreaking denouement. Because he doesn’t believe he deserves the life he has, Othello loses everything he has ever loved or desired.

These complex among the types of drama in literature. They are more than just tragedy and comedy blended together. The main themes are-

A serious plot delivered in a funny, sarcastic, or snarky manner.
Characters with tragic flaws whose acts do not result in death
A confusing subject
Characters with broad personalities that act in stereotypically humorous ways
There is no joyful or funny conclusion.

Classic plays were primarily concerned with clear-cut comedy, tragedy, or melodramatic genres. Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” contains enough comedic aspects to keep it from being classified as a tragedy – yet no one can argue that Blanche DuBois is anything other than a terribly broken character. It is the epitome of modern tragicomedy.

Drama Type – Melodrama

Melodramas are an exaggerated kind of drama in literature, in which conventional one-dimensional characters such as heroes, heroines, and villains contend with exciting, passionate, and frequently deadly situations. The main themes of melodrama are-

Character clichés include heroes, heroines, villains, mentors, and so on.
Romantic or sombre stories with sweeping arcs
Plots and events that are larger-than-life (or very small stories told in big ways)
Character reactions are exaggerated
Clearly defined literary topics
Character flaws must be overcome in order to attain a resolution
Ending that is sometimes cheerful and sometimes sad

When referring to melodrama, take Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. Nora’s exaggerated emotions place the piece squarely in the category of melodrama. WOW!! The finale is a blend of Nora’s delight and hope and Torvald’s melancholy and despair. Sometimes called “tear-jerkers”, another example of such melodramas is the play “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams.

Many a time, people don’t understand the difference between opera and musicals. An opera is a type of drama where the actors sing the lines or dialogues instead of speaking them. Also, the main themes of an opera are-

Arias, which are actually musical soliloquies.
Plot-driving sequences that may or may not be melodious
A libretto (text) that has been turned to music.
Tragic, comic, or melodramatic subject matter
May have a dancing aspect, but mostly depends upon vocal performances
Set design, costume design, and production

Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme” is one of the most famous operas of all time. It portrays the sad narrative of Rodolfo and Mimi, as well as the world of French Bohemia. The drama unfolds over the course of a year, set to one of opera’s most unforgettable compositions.

Drama Type – Musical

Musicals are different from opera. While lines in opera are sung, dialogues in musicals are infused with music and performances. The main themes of musicals are-

Firstly Songs break up periods of conventional plot.
Characters frequently sing in unison to express their emotions.
Songs as plot-altering devices
Storylines that be dramatic or hilarious
A memorable and unique musical score
Frequently a lot of singing and dancing.

Many musicals, such as “Les Miserables” and “Phantom of the Opera” are based on larger literary works. Both of these musical dramas communicate their topics directly via song and use musical sequences to advance the story. They simplify their original material by focusing on the most vital characters and plot components.

The term “theatre” is derived from the Greek word “theatron,” which means “seeing place.”
The masks allowed a single actor to play multiple roles in the same play.
The skene was a structure behind the orchestra. The skene was where actors changed their costumes. To create the background, pictures were sometimes hung from the skene. This is the origin of the term “scene.”
The chorus would occasionally comment on the characters in the play or warn the hero of impending danger.
A man named Thespis was the first actor. Actors are sometimes referred to as “Thespians” nowadays.
Ancient Greece is where the drama masks that have come to symbolise theatre first appeared. The two masks represent the two main genres of Greek theatre, Comedy and Tragedy.
In ancient Greece, tragedy, a genre that focuses on human suffering, was the most popular theatrical form. Thespis, a playwright and actor, is credited with the first performance of tragedy at the Dionysia.

Drama in literature is an ancient art, that we should preserve. Not only is it enjoyable to read, but also is delightful to perform. However, Theatre is a very subtle art form , and these actors deserve our respect and reverence. Also, Immerse yourself in reading more and more drama to enjoy this ancient art.

Drama allows children to explore, discuss, and deal with difficult issues, as well as express their emotions in a safe environment. It allows them to investigate their own cultural values as well as those of others, both past and present.

For more such informative and exciting articles keep visiting our blog !

What exactly is drama in literature?

A drama is a form of literature that is created to be performed in front of an audience. This sort of writing takes the form of a script, and the tale is told through the lines of the actors who play the characters. People can view dramas on stage, on the radio, or on film.

What are some examples of drama in literature?

Here are three famous examples of drama in literature: 1. A tragedy is depicted in William Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet. Due to their bickering families, two young children in this drama fall in love and feel compelled to keep their feelings hidden from their parents. Their hasty decisions, however, lead to their deaths. 2. Jean Cocteau’s play Les parents terribles is an example of a melodrama that has numerous layers of overdramatic scenarios such as infidelity and suicide. 3. The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber is a well-known example of a musical play that portrays the story of obsession.

What is the significance of drama in literature?

Dramas serve the purpose of entertaining the audience. While reading a narrative might be powerful, seeing it performed by actors adds a sense of realism to the work. Many individuals prefer spending their spare time watching dramas, specifically in the form of movies or television, in this day and age of binge-watching.

What are the four primary types of drama?

Tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, and melodrama are the four main types of drama. Although these genres emerged at separate times, each has its own distinct qualities. All of them, however, play important roles in contemporary culture and should be recognised.

Share with your friends

Guide to Drama

202.448-7036

Drama Guide

Basic Definition

Drama is a form of literature acted out by performers. Performers work with the playwright, director, set and lighting designers to stage a show. Live actors act as someone else called a character.

A play consists of:
dialogue – where characters talk with each other
action – what characters do in the play
gesture – what the character shows through motion(s) and expression(s)

A script, written by a playwright, gives the actors words and cues to perform the dialogue, actions, and gestures of their characters on stage.

As a reader, you can only imagine what the gestures, expressions, and voices of the characters are like. Remember you must imagine the “sounds,” actions, and scenery when you are reading a script.

Reading a play is like listening to a conversation, and using your imagination to guess at what the characters are like. This conversation is what actors will perform on the stage and will give you an idea of how other people, including the playwright, imagined the play to be.

Drama differs from short stories and novels because it is made to be performed by different actors in different locations throughout time. While the script remains the same, actors’ interpretations of a single role may differ.

If you have read a play and then see it, you may be surprised because the play may be different from what you had imagined. This is similar to reading a story and then seeing a movie of that story– it is rarely exactly what you had imagined.

There are two basic types of drama:

Some of the first forms of documented drama come from ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks performed both tragedies and comedies. Ancient tragedy – invented by the ancient Greeks to show the actions of a tragic hero or heroine. (Ex: Oedipus Rex. ) tragic hero/heroine – the protagonist, or main character, in the play.

he/she must be of noble birth or hold an important social position
he/she is generally virtuous
he/she has a desire to do good deeds
he/she dies in the end of the play
crisis of feeling – painful or harmful experience that may upset or depress the audience.
catharsis/ purgation – the audience cleanses their emotions. For example, they may feel uplifted and/or get a new sense of spiritual understanding or tragic pleasure.
reversal/ peripeteia – the hero/heroine goes through a significant change in fortune for the worse. The reversal may happen after a discovery ( anagnorisis, ) or a recognition of something previously not known to the hero/heroine. Example:
In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Oedipus experiences a reversal when he gets the message that his father, Polybos, has died of old age. Oedipus is at first relieved to find out that the prophecy that he would kill his father was wrong. Then his dream is renewed when the same message reveals that Polybos was not his biological father (Kennedy 871). (Comedies can have reversals too, but in comedy, the change is almost always for the better).

Modern tragedy – unlike Greek tragedy, the protagonist is often a common or middle-class person, not high born, noble or important. Ordinary people exemplify basic issues of social and personal conflict.

Ancient Greek Comedy – performed to show the humorous actions of one or more characters as they attempt to solve a problem.

required action and conflict that led to a happy ending.
included ridiculing and violent personal attacks on contemporary personalities.
involved acting out of bawdy personal and social relationships.
as opposed to ancient Greek tragedy, a change in fortune is almost always for the better.

Types of comedy from ancient to modern times:

romantic – involves a love affair that does not run smoothly but ends happily.
Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream
the movie, Pretty Woman
manners – portrays upper-class society involved in witty repartee that focuses on their relationships and “affairs.” A comedy of manners focuses on the behavior of men and women who violate the rules and manners of upper-class society.
farce – “low comedy” with lots of “belly laughs” that uses quick physical action to induce immediate laughter. The verbal humor is often crude or ridiculous. Farce is sometimes based on incongruities of character and action; a character doing something that is completely unlike what we would expect of them.
In Shakespeare uses farcical humor in his play, Twelfth Night. Malvolio, a very rude, self-important character, is convinced to wear funny clothing and act like a fool (Meyer 900).
Most of Jim Carey’s comedy is a farce. His comedy is based on quick physical humor and often crude dialogue.
satire – mean jokes (barbs) are aimed at people, ideas or things in order to improve, correct, or prevent something. Example: Again, the character Malvolio in Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night is a satirical character. He is held up for scrutiny and ridicule by other characters and the audience because of his self-important, pompous attitude. Shakespeare reveals Malvolio’s faults and shows him to be pathetic.
The movies, Fargo, and Pulp Fiction

ANALYZING DRAMA How you react to a play will depend on:

your individual perspective of the world
your sense of humor
you political attitudes
your moral values

Analysis begins by asking what factors about the play shaped your response.

Aspects of drama that help you to enjoy and interpret a play:

setting – The scenic design and props. These add meaning and historical context to what characters do and say in the drama. Some components of the setting are as follows:

the orchestra, the performance and dancing area for actors and chorus, which was utilized by Greek theater to inform audiences of what happens “off stage.” (i.e. no murders or suicides were shown; instead, a messenger would inform the characters of the news).
lighting is used to show the illusion of time, highlight an action, or emphasize an event or character. Lighting is more complicated today than it was in ancient times because plays used to be shown only outside.
costumes are used to portray age, class, profession or ethnic culture.

structure – The way a play is organized into sections. Most plays are divided into acts and scenes. Ancient Greek drama did not use acts and scenes but had a system of divisions which were:

prologue (exposition) – the introductory speech given to the audience at the beginning of the play.
paradox (entry of chorus) – the paradox is the song chanted by the chorus on their entry. Their song is usually about the action of the play and helps to build emotion in the audience.
episodes – modern drama would call these scenes, or acts. There are usually four or five episodes. Each episode consists of dialogue and action that takes place in one location at one time. Each is separated by a choric interlude, or the strophe and antistrophe .
strophe and antistrophe – these are terms that describe the chorus’ movement from one side of the stage to the other. For the strophe, they are on one side of the stage, and for the antistrophe, they move to the other. When the chorus speaks outside of these interludes, directly with the characters, their lines are said by only one member of the chorus, their leader (Miller 38).
exodus – the final scene and resolution.
moral qualities
physical presence

Qualities of a person may be either physical and superficial (external) or psychological and spiritual (internal). Characters can possess both types of traits. External characteristics (characteristics that flat, one-dimensional characters possess):

physical appearance
physical nature
manner of speech and accent
manner of dress
social status
community interests

Internal characteristics (characters that round, multidimensional characters possess):

Types of Characters:

protagonist – the main character of a play, the one who is the center of the action and holds your attention.
In Shakespeare’s play, Othello, Othello is the protagonist and Iago are the antagonists (Desdemona can also be considered to be a protagonist).
In the fairy tale and movie, Cinderella, Cinderella is the protagonist and her wicked step mother is the antagonist.
foil – the character that acts as the butt of the jokes. Also, a character used to show contrast with the main character.
In Othello, Desdemona’s nurse acts as her confidant.
In Cinderella, the friendly mice serve as Cinderella’s confidants.
stock characters – superficial roles. (Ex: comic, victim, simpleton/fool, braggart, pretender).
theme – the central purpose or message of the play as developed by the playwright (i.e. the playwright’s message for the audience).

dramatic irony – the contrast between what the character thinks the truth is and what the audience knows the truth to be. This occurs when the speaker fails to recognize the irony of his actions. For example, if the speaker were to put a curse on the murderer without realizing that he himself is the murderer, then he would have unwittingly cursed himself. Example: In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus places a curse on the murderer of Laios, not realizing that he was that murderer. Since the audience has information of which Othello is ignorant, they recognize the significance of Othello’s actions, while he does not.

202-448-7036

At a Glance

Quick Facts
University Leadership
History & Traditions
Accreditation
Consumer Information
Our 10-Year Vision: The Gallaudet Promise
Annual Report of Achievements (ARA)
The Signing Ecosystem
Not Your Average University

Our Community

Library & Archives
Technology Support
Interpreting Requests
Ombuds Support
Health and Wellness Programs
Profile & Web Edits

Visit Gallaudet

Explore Our Campus
Virtual Tour
Maps & Directions
Shuttle Bus Schedule
Kellogg Conference Hotel
Welcome Center
National Deaf Life Museum
Apple Guide Maps

Engage Today

Work at Gallaudet / Clerc Center
Social Media Channels
University Wide Events
Sponsorship Requests
Data Requests
Media Inquiries
Gallaudet Today Magazine
Giving at Gallaudet
Financial Aid
Registrar’s Office
Residence Life & Housing
Safety & Security
Undergraduate Admissions
Graduate Admissions
University Communications
Clerc Center

Gallaudet University, chartered in 1864, is a private university for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Accessibility
Cookie Consent Notice
Privacy Policy
File a Report

800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Definition of Drama

Types of drama, american drama and the postmodernism, dramatic sentences – use of drama in sentences, examples of drama in literature, example #1: much ado about nothing (by william shakespeare), example #2: oedipus rex (by sophocles).

Sophocles’ mythical and immortal drama Oedipus Rex is thought to be his best classical tragedy. Aristotle has adjudged this play as one of the greatest examples of tragic drama in his book, Poetics , by giving the following reasons:

Example #3: The Importance of Being Earnest (By Oscar Wilde)

Example #4: the heiress (by henry james), function of drama, synonyms of drama, post navigation.

ISA Insider

Post Article
Post Pro Tip
Post Podcast
Manage Content

Logline Review

Script notes, development evaluation, producer-level feedback - new, my feedback, competitions, browse all programs, isa diversity initiative, isa fast track fellowship, the story farm fellowship, my submissions.

Add a Program
Manage Programs

Writer’s Showcase

Available projects, produced projects, video pitches, writers for hire, isa development slate, isa top 25 screenwriters, events / classes, upcoming events, the craft course - online only, 30-day challenge, virtual pitch practice, pitch deck office hours, custom pitch deck design, screenplay library, success stories, writing a dramatic script: five key techniques.

Scott McConnell
. July 7, 2021

DON’T MISS THESE CONTESTS

Cash, Connections, Cash

Cash, Connections, Consultant

Resource, Connections, Resourc

Connections, Representation, R

SUBMIT TO WRITING GIGS

Top screenwriting info straight to your inbox.

Articles, Videos, Podcasts, Special Offers & Much More

Thanks for subscribing email.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you accept and understand our Privacy Settings .

What Is Drama? Literary Definition and Examples

Basics & Advice
Playwrights
Play & Drama Reviews
Best Sellers
Classic Literature
Shakespeare
Short Stories
Children's Books
B.S., Texas A&M University

In literature, a drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialog (either prose or poetry). Dramas can be performed on stage, on film, or radio. Dramas are typically called plays, and their creators are known as “playwrights” or “dramatists.”

Performed since the days of Aristotle (c. 335 BCE), the term “drama” comes from the Greek words δρᾶμα (an act, a play) and δράω (to act, to take action). The two iconic masks of drama—laughing and crying faces—symbolize two ancient Greek Muses : Thalia, the Muse of comedy, and Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy.

What Makes Drama so Dramatic?

To make their plays dramatic, playwrights strive to progressively build the audience’s feelings of tension and anticipation as the story develops. Dramatic tension builds as the audience keeps wondering “What happens next?” and anticipating the outcomes of those events. In a mystery, dramatic tension builds throughout the plot until an exciting or unanticipated climax is revealed.

Dramatic tension is all about keeping the audience guessing. In the ancient Greek tragedy Oedipus the King , will Oedipus ever figure out that by killing his father and sleeping with his mother he had caused the plague that destroyed his city, and what will he do about it if he does? In Shakespeare’s Hamlet , will Prince Hamlet ever avenge his father’s death and get rid of his pesky ghost and visions of floating daggers by murdering the play’s antagonist Claudius?

Dramas depend heavily on spoken dialogue to keep the audience informed about the characters’ feelings, personalities, motivations, and plans. Since the audience sees characters in a drama living out their experiences without any explanatory comments from the author, playwrights often create dramatic tension by having their characters deliver soliloquies and asides.

Types of Drama

Dramatic performances are generally classified into specific categories according to the mood, tone, and actions depicted in the plot. Some popular types of drama include:

Comedy : Lighter in tone, comedies are intended to make the audience laugh and usually come to a happy ending. Comedies place offbeat characters in unusual situations causing them to do and say funny things. Comedy can also be sarcastic, poking fun at serious topics. There are also several sub-genres of comedy, including romantic comedy , sentimental comedy, comedy of manners, and tragic comedy —plays in which the characters take on tragedy with humor in bringing serious situations to happy endings.
Tragedy : Based on darker themes, tragedies portray serious subjects like death, disaster, and human suffering in a dignified and thought-provoking way. Rarely enjoying happy endings, characters in tragedies, like Shakespeare's Hamlet , are often burdened by tragic character flaws that ultimately lead to their demise.
Farce : Featuring exaggerated or absurd forms of comedy, a farce is a nonsensical genre of drama in which characters intentionally overact and engage in slapstick or physical humor. Examples of farce include the play Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett and the hit 1980 movie Airplane! , written by Jim Abrahams.
Melodrama : An exaggerated form of drama, melodramas depict classic one-dimensional characters such as heroes , heroines , and villains dealing with sensational, romantic, and often perilous situations. Sometimes called “tearjerkers,” examples of melodramas include the play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams and the classic movie of love during the Civil War , Gone With the Wind , based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel.
Opera : This versatile drama genre combines theater, dialogue, music, and dance to tell grand stories of tragedy or comedy. Since characters express their feelings and intentions through song rather than dialogue, performers must be skilled actors and singers. The decidedly tragic La Bohème , by Giacomo Puccini, and the bawdy comedy Falstaff , by Giuseppe Verdi are classic examples of opera.
Docudrama : A relatively new genre, docudramas are dramatic portrayals of historic events or non-fictional situations. More often presented in movies and television than in live theater, popular examples of docudramas include Apollo 13 and 12 Years a Slave , based on the autobiography written by Solomon Northup .

Classic Example of Comedy and Tragedy

Perhaps no two plays better illustrate the juxtaposition of the masks of drama—comedy and tragedy—than these two William Shakespeare classics.

Comedy: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

In his romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream , Shakespeare explores one of his favorite themes—“love conquers all”—with a humorous twist. Due to a series of comical and unpredictable situations, young couples keep falling in and out of love. As they struggle with the foibles of love, their equally amusing real-world problems are magically resolved by a mischievous sprite named Puck . In the Shakespearian happy ending, old enemies become fast friends and the true lovers are united to live happily ever after.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is cited as an example of how playwrights utilize the ageless conflict between love and social convention as a source of humor.

Tragedy: Romeo and Juliet

Young lovers live anything but happily ever after in Shakespeare’s unforgettable tragedy Romeo and Juliet . In what is still one of the most-performed plays in history, the love between Romeo and Juliet is doomed by the raging feud between their families, the Montagues and the Capulets. The night before the star-crossed lovers are secretly married, Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a duel, and Juliet fakes her death to avoid being forced by her parents to marry a family friend. Unaware of Juliet’s plan, Romeo visits her grave and, believing she is dead, kills himself. When she learns of Romeo’s death, Juliet truly does kill herself.

Shakespeare creates heartbreaking dramatic tension in Romeo and Juliet t hrough the technique of switching moods between hope and despair,

Drama Key Terms

Drama: The portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events in theater, film, radio, or television .
Thalia: The Greek Muse of Comedy , depicted as one of the two masks of drama.
Melpomene: The Greek Muse of tragedy, the other mask of drama.
Dramatic tension: The most basic element of drama used to stir the emotions of the audience.
Comedy: The humorous genre of drama intended to keep the audience laughing on the way to the play’s happy ending.
Tragedy: The portrayal of darker subjects like death, disaster, betrayal, and human suffering .
Farce: An over-the-top form of purposely over-acted and exaggerated comedy .
Melodrama: The depiction of simple classic characters like heroes and villains dealing with sensational, romantic, and often perilous situations.
Opera: The artful combination of dialogue , music, and dance to tell grand stories of tragedy or comedy.
Docudrama: Historical or non-fictional events portrayed dramatically.
Banham, Martin, ed. 1998. “The Cambridge Guide to Theatre.” Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-43437-8.
Carlson, Marvin. 1993. “Theories of the Theatre: A Historical and Critical Survey from the Greeks to the Present.” Cornell University Press
Worthen, W.B. “The Wadsworth Anthology of Drama.” Heinle & Heinle, 1999. ISBN-13: 978-0495903239
4 Creative Ways to Analyze Plays
6 Tips for Writing Children's Plays and Scripts
"Cheating Out," "Breaking Curtain," and More Curious Theatre Jargon
Choose the Right Setting for Your Play
Aristotle's Tragedy Terminology
Definition and Theatrical Examples of Memory Plays
How to Read and Enjoy a Dramatic Play
5 Tips to Help You Read a Play Script
Layout of the Ancient Greek Theater
Stage Directions for Actors: The Basics
August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle
Biography of Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian Playwright
The Most Controversial Plays of the 20th Century
Mrs. Malaprop and the Origin of Malapropisms
Biography of Tennessee Williams, American Playwright

ENG 125 & 126 - Creative Writing: Drama

Short Fiction
Long Fiction
Non-fiction
Research Process

Drama Defined

Definition: A prose or verse composition, especially one telling a serious story, that is intended for representation by actors impersonating the characters and performing the dialogue and action.

Elements:

Structure -- This deals with how to setup the beginning, middle and end of a play and is even more crucial in drama than any other genre of writing.
Characters -- People will act out the story on stage. Characters should be well-developed and not appear as stereotypes.
Dialogue -- This is crucial in plays because everything happens through the spoken word.
Theme -- Plays often deal with universal themes which encourage discussion of ideas.
Production -- Costumes, props and lighting are some of the necessary items for putting on a play.

Find Plays & Criticism

Video Searching

Library collections (dvd & videotape):.

Search our Card Catalog to find videos housed in the Library-IC collection.

Audiovisual Search:

Streaming Media

Featured Drama

<< Previous: Poetry
Next: Research Process >>
Last Updated: Aug 14, 2024 11:17 AM
URL: https://libguides.rccc.edu/creative

What is Drama? Modern Drama and its types

by Guiding Literature
December 27, 2022 December 27, 2022

Quick links:

Realist Drama Epic Theatre Absurd Drama Avant-Garde Drama

Drama refers to a literary piece that contains written dialogues, and can be performed as plays on the stage or screen. Dramas are also referred to as ‘plays’ and the authors of dramas are considered as ‘dramatists’ or ‘playwrights’. Dramas have been performed since the age of Aristotle till the modern age. Dramas are audience based, as they are performed on stage by people dressed up as the characters. Dramas are preformed not only on the stage but also in radio, Television etc. Great dramatists of the past include William Shakespeare, Sophocles, Anton Chekov, Henrik Ibsen, George Bernard Shaw etc.

To make their plays more dramatic, the playwrights include dialogues that create feelings and emotions amidst the audience. The main component of dramas are its dialogues. Dramas originated in ancient Greece. Major Greek dramatists like Sophocles are widely regarded till date. His plays- Oedipus Rex, Antigone etc are still popular today. In the medieval period, dramas were popularized by the churches. In these ages, plays were often religious in its content, as they were a means to spread religious codes. The most important period for drama can be considered as the Elizabethan period, during the reign of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Johnson etc. Another period popular was the Restoration era, when Restoration comedies began to gain popularity among the audiences. Such plays satirized the seventh century society and its ills through the use of humour. Popular dramatists of this period are William Congreve, Aphra Behn etc.

Then comes the modern age of drama. Playwrights like Henrik Ibsen, Bertolt Brecht popularized drama in the 19th-20th centuries. After Victorian age, there was a great decline in drama. However, this great decline was revived by the 20th century Modern Dramatists. Modern Drama is divided into several types-

Realism or Realist Drama

Realism movement began in the 19th century. It is the most significant type of Modern Drama. It was the movement which replaced the artificiality of the earlier ages. Characters speak naturalistic dialogues, without the use of verse, poetic style, and the acting is meant to represent the movements of ordinary life in a realistic way. Narratives contain ordinary instances and ordinary characters, without the involvement of supernatural beings like God, ghosts etc. Technological advancements were witnessed in the 19th century due to rapid industrialization, and people were starting to believe that science could save them from their existing sorrows, instead of supernatural elements. The common people however, were struggling to gain their identity. They rejected Romantic idealism, and accepted Realism, where their ordinary lives were portrayed in the most naturalistic way, without coloring with imagination. Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen popularized realism in Modern Drama. He portrayed problems of real life in a realistic way.

Epic theatre

Epic theatre is a theatrical movement which was founded by Bertolt Brecht. It began in the early twentieth century. Epic theatre highlights the audiences’ perspective and reaction to the play through various techniques which allow them to engage in the play from different perspectives. The dramatist wants to make the audiences see the world as it is. They do not make the audience travel to some distinct land of imagination. Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright who is well regarded for his contributions to Epic Theatre. He often criticized the social norms and cultural happenings through his works. Brecht was known for separating his elements from each other. He used comedy to separate the audience from the events of the play. Epic Theatres require the actors to perform the characters in such a way that audiences might not doubt that the actors have actually turned into the characters, and on the same time, realistically portraying the story.

Absurd Drama

It is a movement which was made up of plays written between 1940-1960. These plays were different than the plays performed earlier. These plays reflected the absurdities of common life. They focused on ideas of existentialism and portrayed what happens when human existence lacks meaning or purpose. The plays revolved in circular motions, they ended where they started. Such plays considered human existence as ‘absurd’ or illogical and meaningless, and portrayed plays in similar way. They reflected the collapse of humanity, society, and cultural values after the World Wars I & II. This style of writing was first popularized by Eugene Ionesco. There was a decline in faith and religion after the Wars, and people viewed life as a meaningless aspect. Such conditions were focused in Absurd Dramas. The playwrights considered themselves as isolated individuals. Their works thus reflected man’s inability to communicate with others and isolation in general.

Avant-Garde Drama

Avant-Garde Drama is also called Experimental Drama because it experiments and innovents new techniques and methods in drama. Avant-Garde expresses its refusal of the existing traditional methods in Drama. This form of Drama is regarded as an important component of the Modernist movement. The playwrights cross the existing boundaries, and create bold, innovative techniques in their works. The word ‘Avant-Garde’ refers to new, and experimental. Thus, we can estimate that such dramas reject the establishes conventions and innovate new ideas in Drama writing. They were dramatists who were ahead of their times, and were also criticized for their bold, creative ideas that broke the conventional norms.

CREATIVE WRITING- INTERTEXTUALITY- MODULE

Add this document to collection(s)

You can add this document to your study collection(s)

Add this document to saved

You can add this document to your saved list

Suggest us how to improve StudyLib

(For complaints, use another form )

Input it if you want to receive answer

VIDEO COURSE

Finish your draft in our 3-month master class. Sign up now to watch a free lesson!

Learn How to Write a Novel

Finish your draft in our 3-month master class. Enroll now for daily lessons, weekly critique, and live events. Your first lesson is free!

Guides • Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on Feb 14, 2023

10 Types of Creative Writing (with Examples You’ll Love)

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Savannah Cordova

Savannah is a senior editor with Reedsy and a published writer whose work has appeared on Slate, Kirkus, and BookTrib. Her short fiction has appeared in the Owl Canyon Press anthology, "No Bars and a Dead Battery".

About Rebecca van Laer

Rebecca van Laer is a writer, editor, and the author of two books, including the novella How to Adjust to the Dark. Her work has been featured in literary magazines such as AGNI, Breadcrumbs, and TriQuarterly.

A lot falls under the term ‘creative writing’: poetry, short fiction, plays, novels, personal essays, and songs, to name just a few. By virtue of the creativity that characterizes it, creative writing is an extremely versatile art. So instead of defining what creative writing is , it may be easier to understand what it does by looking at examples that demonstrate the sheer range of styles and genres under its vast umbrella.

To that end, we’ve collected a non-exhaustive list of works across multiple formats that have inspired the writers here at Reedsy. With 20 different works to explore, we hope they will inspire you, too.

People have been writing creatively for almost as long as we have been able to hold pens. Just think of long-form epic poems like The Odyssey or, later, the Cantar de Mio Cid — some of the earliest recorded writings of their kind.

Poetry is also a great place to start if you want to dip your own pen into the inkwell of creative writing. It can be as short or long as you want (you don’t have to write an epic of Homeric proportions), encourages you to build your observation skills, and often speaks from a single point of view .

Here are a few examples:

“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.

The ruins of pillars and walls with the broken statue of a man in the center set against a bright blue sky.

This classic poem by Romantic poet Percy Shelley (also known as Mary Shelley’s husband) is all about legacy. What do we leave behind? How will we be remembered? The great king Ozymandias built himself a massive statue, proclaiming his might, but the irony is that his statue doesn’t survive the ravages of time. By framing this poem as told to him by a “traveller from an antique land,” Shelley effectively turns this into a story. Along with the careful use of juxtaposition to create irony, this poem accomplishes a lot in just a few lines.

“Trying to Raise the Dead” by Dorianne Laux

A direction. An object. My love, it needs a place to rest. Say anything. I’m listening. I’m ready to believe. Even lies, I don’t care.

Poetry is cherished for its ability to evoke strong emotions from the reader using very few words which is exactly what Dorianne Laux does in “ Trying to Raise the Dead .” With vivid imagery that underscores the painful yearning of the narrator, she transports us to a private nighttime scene as the narrator sneaks away from a party to pray to someone they’ve lost. We ache for their loss and how badly they want their lost loved one to acknowledge them in some way. It’s truly a masterclass on how writing can be used to portray emotions.

If you find yourself inspired to try out some poetry — and maybe even get it published — check out these poetry layouts that can elevate your verse!

Song Lyrics

Poetry’s closely related cousin, song lyrics are another great way to flex your creative writing muscles. You not only have to find the perfect rhyme scheme but also match it to the rhythm of the music. This can be a great challenge for an experienced poet or the musically inclined.

To see how music can add something extra to your poetry, check out these two examples:

“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

You say I took the name in vain I don't even know the name But if I did, well, really, what's it to ya? There's a blaze of light in every word It doesn't matter which you heard The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Metaphors are commonplace in almost every kind of creative writing, but will often take center stage in shorter works like poetry and songs. At the slightest mention, they invite the listener to bring their emotional or cultural experience to the piece, allowing the writer to express more with fewer words while also giving it a deeper meaning. If a whole song is couched in metaphor, you might even be able to find multiple meanings to it, like in Leonard Cohen’s “ Hallelujah .” While Cohen’s Biblical references create a song that, on the surface, seems like it’s about a struggle with religion, the ambiguity of the lyrics has allowed it to be seen as a song about a complicated romantic relationship.

“I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie

If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark

You can think of song lyrics as poetry set to music. They manage to do many of the same things their literary counterparts do — including tugging on your heartstrings. Death Cab for Cutie’s incredibly popular indie rock ballad is about the singer’s deep devotion to his lover. While some might find the song a bit too dark and macabre, its melancholy tune and poignant lyrics remind us that love can endure beyond death.

Plays and Screenplays

From the short form of poetry, we move into the world of drama — also known as the play. This form is as old as the poem, stretching back to the works of ancient Greek playwrights like Sophocles, who adapted the myths of their day into dramatic form. The stage play (and the more modern screenplay) gives the words on the page a literal human voice, bringing life to a story and its characters entirely through dialogue.

Interested to see what that looks like? Take a look at these examples:

All My Sons by Arthur Miller

“I know you're no worse than most men but I thought you were better. I never saw you as a man. I saw you as my father.”

Arthur Miller acts as a bridge between the classic and the new, creating 20th century tragedies that take place in living rooms and backyard instead of royal courts, so we had to include his breakout hit on this list. Set in the backyard of an all-American family in the summer of 1946, this tragedy manages to communicate family tensions in an unimaginable scale, building up to an intense climax reminiscent of classical drama.

💡 Read more about Arthur Miller and classical influences in our breakdown of Freytag’s pyramid .

“Everything is Fine” by Michael Schur ( The Good Place )

“Well, then this system sucks. What...one in a million gets to live in paradise and everyone else is tortured for eternity? Come on! I mean, I wasn't freaking Gandhi, but I was okay. I was a medium person. I should get to spend eternity in a medium place! Like Cincinnati. Everyone who wasn't perfect but wasn't terrible should get to spend eternity in Cincinnati.”

A screenplay, especially a TV pilot, is like a mini-play, but with the extra job of convincing an audience that they want to watch a hundred more episodes of the show. Blending moral philosophy with comedy, The Good Place is a fun hang-out show set in the afterlife that asks some big questions about what it means to be good.

It follows Eleanor Shellstrop, an incredibly imperfect woman from Arizona who wakes up in ‘The Good Place’ and realizes that there’s been a cosmic mixup. Determined not to lose her place in paradise, she recruits her “soulmate,” a former ethics professor, to teach her philosophy with the hope that she can learn to be a good person and keep up her charade of being an upstanding citizen. The pilot does a superb job of setting up the stakes, the story, and the characters, while smuggling in deep philosophical ideas.

Personal essays

Our first foray into nonfiction on this list is the personal essay. As its name suggests, these stories are in some way autobiographical — concerned with the author’s life and experiences. But don’t be fooled by the realistic component. These essays can take any shape or form, from comics to diary entries to recipes and anything else you can imagine. Typically zeroing in on a single issue, they allow you to explore your life and prove that the personal can be universal.

Here are a couple of fantastic examples:

“On Selling Your First Novel After 11 Years” by Min Jin Lee (Literary Hub)

There was so much to learn and practice, but I began to see the prose in verse and the verse in prose. Patterns surfaced in poems, stories, and plays. There was music in sentences and paragraphs. I could hear the silences in a sentence. All this schooling was like getting x-ray vision and animal-like hearing.

This deeply honest personal essay by Pachinko author Min Jin Lee is an account of her eleven-year struggle to publish her first novel . Like all good writing, it is intensely focused on personal emotional details. While grounded in the specifics of the author's personal journey, it embodies an experience that is absolutely universal: that of difficulty and adversity met by eventual success.

“A Cyclist on the English Landscape” by Roff Smith (New York Times)

These images, though, aren’t meant to be about me. They’re meant to represent a cyclist on the landscape, anybody — you, perhaps.

Roff Smith’s gorgeous photo essay for the NYT is a testament to the power of creatively combining visuals with text. Here, photographs of Smith atop a bike are far from simply ornamental. They’re integral to the ruminative mood of the essay, as essential as the writing. Though Smith places his work at the crosscurrents of various aesthetic influences (such as the painter Edward Hopper), what stands out the most in this taciturn, thoughtful piece of writing is his use of the second person to address the reader directly. Suddenly, the writer steps out of the body of the essay and makes eye contact with the reader. The reader is now part of the story as a second character, finally entering the picture.

Short Fiction

The short story is the happy medium of fiction writing. These bite-sized narratives can be devoured in a single sitting and still leave you reeling. Sometimes viewed as a stepping stone to novel writing, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Short story writing is an art all its own. The limited length means every word counts and there’s no better way to see that than with these two examples:

“An MFA Story” by Paul Dalla Rosa (Electric Literature)

At Starbucks, I remembered a reading Zhen had given, a reading organized by the program’s faculty. I had not wanted to go but did. In the bar, he read, "I wrote this in a Starbucks in Shanghai. On the bank of the Huangpu." It wasn’t an aside or introduction. It was two lines of the poem. I was in a Starbucks and I wasn’t writing any poems. I wasn’t writing anything.

Creative Writing Examples | Photograph of New York City street.

This short story is a delightfully metafictional tale about the struggles of being a writer in New York. From paying the bills to facing criticism in a writing workshop and envying more productive writers, Paul Dalla Rosa’s story is a clever satire of the tribulations involved in the writing profession, and all the contradictions embodied by systemic creativity (as famously laid out in Mark McGurl’s The Program Era ). What’s more, this story is an excellent example of something that often happens in creative writing: a writer casting light on the private thoughts or moments of doubt we don’t admit to or openly talk about.

“Flowering Walrus” by Scott Skinner (Reedsy)

I tell him they’d been there a month at least, and he looks concerned. He has my tongue on a tissue paper and is gripping its sides with his pointer and thumb. My tongue has never spent much time outside of my mouth, and I imagine it as a walrus basking in the rays of the dental light. My walrus is not well.

A winner of Reedsy’s weekly Prompts writing contest, ‘ Flowering Walrus ’ is a story that balances the trivial and the serious well. In the pauses between its excellent, natural dialogue , the story manages to scatter the fear and sadness of bad medical news, as the protagonist hides his worries from his wife and daughter. Rich in subtext, these silences grow and resonate with the readers.

Want to give short story writing a go? Give our free course a go!

FREE COURSE

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

From pacing to character development, master the elements of short fiction.

Perhaps the thing that first comes to mind when talking about creative writing, novels are a form of fiction that many people know and love but writers sometimes find intimidating. The good news is that novels are nothing but one word put after another, like any other piece of writing, but expanded and put into a flowing narrative. Piece of cake, right?

To get an idea of the format’s breadth of scope, take a look at these two (very different) satirical novels:

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

I wished I was back in the convenience store where I was valued as a working member of staff and things weren’t as complicated as this. Once we donned our uniforms, we were all equals regardless of gender, age, or nationality — all simply store workers.

Creative Writing Examples | Book cover of Convenience Store Woman

Keiko, a thirty-six-year-old convenience store employee, finds comfort and happiness in the strict, uneventful routine of the shop’s daily operations. A funny, satirical, but simultaneously unnerving examination of the social structures we take for granted, Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman is deeply original and lingers with the reader long after they’ve put it down.

Erasure by Percival Everett

The hard, gritty truth of the matter is that I hardly ever think about race. Those times when I did think about it a lot I did so because of my guilt for not thinking about it.

Erasure is a truly accomplished satire of the publishing industry’s tendency to essentialize African American authors and their writing. Everett’s protagonist is a writer whose work doesn’t fit with what publishers expect from him — work that describes the “African American experience” — so he writes a parody novel about life in the ghetto. The publishers go crazy for it and, to the protagonist’s horror, it becomes the next big thing. This sophisticated novel is both ironic and tender, leaving its readers with much food for thought.

Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction is pretty broad: it applies to anything that does not claim to be fictional (although the rise of autofiction has definitely blurred the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction). It encompasses everything from personal essays and memoirs to humor writing, and they range in length from blog posts to full-length books. The defining characteristic of this massive genre is that it takes the world or the author’s experience and turns it into a narrative that a reader can follow along with.

Here, we want to focus on novel-length works that dig deep into their respective topics. While very different, these two examples truly show the breadth and depth of possibility of creative nonfiction:

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

Men’s bodies litter my family history. The pain of the women they left behind pulls them from the beyond, makes them appear as ghosts. In death, they transcend the circumstances of this place that I love and hate all at once and become supernatural.

Writer Jesmyn Ward recounts the deaths of five men from her rural Mississippi community in as many years. In her award-winning memoir , she delves into the lives of the friends and family she lost and tries to find some sense among the tragedy. Working backwards across five years, she questions why this had to happen over and over again, and slowly unveils the long history of racism and poverty that rules rural Black communities. Moving and emotionally raw, Men We Reaped is an indictment of a cruel system and the story of a woman's grief and rage as she tries to navigate it.

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

He believed that wine could reshape someone’s life. That’s why he preferred buying bottles to splurging on sweaters. Sweaters were things. Bottles of wine, said Morgan, “are ways that my humanity will be changed.”

In this work of immersive journalism , Bianca Bosker leaves behind her life as a tech journalist to explore the world of wine. Becoming a “cork dork” takes her everywhere from New York’s most refined restaurants to science labs while she learns what it takes to be a sommelier and a true wine obsessive. This funny and entertaining trip through the past and present of wine-making and tasting is sure to leave you better informed and wishing you, too, could leave your life behind for one devoted to wine.

Illustrated Narratives (Comics, graphic novels)

Once relegated to the “funny pages”, the past forty years of comics history have proven it to be a serious medium. Comics have transformed from the early days of Jack Kirby’s superheroes into a medium where almost every genre is represented. Humorous one-shots in the Sunday papers stand alongside illustrated memoirs, horror, fantasy, and just about anything else you can imagine. This type of visual storytelling lets the writer and artist get creative with perspective, tone, and so much more. For two very different, though equally entertaining, examples, check these out:

Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson

"Life is like topography, Hobbes. There are summits of happiness and success, flat stretches of boring routine and valleys of frustration and failure."

A Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. A little blond boy Calvin makes multiple silly faces in school photos. In the last panel, his father says, "That's our son. *Sigh*" His mother then says, "The pictures will remind of more than we want to remember."

This beloved comic strip follows Calvin, a rambunctious six-year-old boy, and his stuffed tiger/imaginary friend, Hobbes. They get into all kinds of hijinks at school and at home, and muse on the world in the way only a six-year-old and an anthropomorphic tiger can. As laugh-out-loud funny as it is, Calvin & Hobbes ’ popularity persists as much for its whimsy as its use of humor to comment on life, childhood, adulthood, and everything in between.

From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell

"I shall tell you where we are. We're in the most extreme and utter region of the human mind. A dim, subconscious underworld. A radiant abyss where men meet themselves. Hell, Netley. We're in Hell."

Comics aren't just the realm of superheroes and one-joke strips, as Alan Moore proves in this serialized graphic novel released between 1989 and 1998. A meticulously researched alternative history of Victorian London’s Ripper killings, this macabre story pulls no punches. Fact and fiction blend into a world where the Royal Family is involved in a dark conspiracy and Freemasons lurk on the sidelines. It’s a surreal mad-cap adventure that’s unsettling in the best way possible.

Video Games and RPGs

Probably the least expected entry on this list, we thought that video games and RPGs also deserved a mention — and some well-earned recognition for the intricate storytelling that goes into creating them.

Essentially gamified adventure stories, without attention to plot, characters, and a narrative arc, these games would lose a lot of their charm, so let’s look at two examples where the creative writing really shines through:

80 Days by inkle studios

"It was a triumph of invention over nature, and will almost certainly disappear into the dust once more in the next fifty years."

Named Time Magazine ’s game of the year in 2014, this narrative adventure is based on Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. The player is cast as the novel’s narrator, Passpartout, and tasked with circumnavigating the globe in service of their employer, Phileas Fogg. Set in an alternate steampunk Victorian era, the game uses its globe-trotting to comment on the colonialist fantasies inherent in the original novel and its time period. On a storytelling level, the choose-your-own-adventure style means no two players’ journeys will be the same. This innovative approach to a classic novel shows the potential of video games as a storytelling medium, truly making the player part of the story.

What Remains of Edith Finch by Giant Sparrow

"If we lived forever, maybe we'd have time to understand things. But as it is, I think the best we can do is try to open our eyes, and appreciate how strange and brief all of this is."

This video game casts the player as 17-year-old Edith Finch. Returning to her family’s home on an island in the Pacific northwest, Edith explores the vast house and tries to figure out why she’s the only one of her family left alive. The story of each family member is revealed as you make your way through the house, slowly unpacking the tragic fate of the Finches. Eerie and immersive, this first-person exploration game uses the medium to tell a series of truly unique tales.

Fun and breezy on the surface, humor is often recognized as one of the trickiest forms of creative writing. After all, while you can see the artistic value in a piece of prose that you don’t necessarily enjoy, if a joke isn’t funny, you could say that it’s objectively failed.

With that said, it’s far from an impossible task, and many have succeeded in bringing smiles to their readers’ faces through their writing. Here are two examples:

‘How You Hope Your Extended Family Will React When You Explain Your Job to Them’ by Mike Lacher (McSweeney’s Internet Tendency)

“Is it true you don’t have desks?” your grandmother will ask. You will nod again and crack open a can of Country Time Lemonade. “My stars,” she will say, “it must be so wonderful to not have a traditional office and instead share a bistro-esque coworking space.”

An open plan office seen from a bird's eye view. There are multiple strands of Edison lights hanging from the ceiling. At long light wooden tables multiple people sit working at computers, many of them wearing headphones.

Satire and parody make up a whole subgenre of creative writing, and websites like McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and The Onion consistently hit the mark with their parodies of magazine publishing and news media. This particular example finds humor in the divide between traditional family expectations and contemporary, ‘trendy’ work cultures. Playing on the inherent silliness of today’s tech-forward middle-class jobs, this witty piece imagines a scenario where the writer’s family fully understands what they do — and are enthralled to hear more. “‘Now is it true,’ your uncle will whisper, ‘that you’ve got a potential investment from one of the founders of I Can Haz Cheezburger?’”

‘Not a Foodie’ by Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell (Electric Literature)

I’m not a foodie, I never have been, and I know, in my heart, I never will be.

Highlighting what she sees as an unbearable social obsession with food , in this comic Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell takes a hilarious stand against the importance of food. From the writer’s courageous thesis (“I think there are more exciting things to talk about, and focus on in life, than what’s for dinner”) to the amusing appearance of family members and the narrator’s partner, ‘Not a Foodie’ demonstrates that even a seemingly mundane pet peeve can be approached creatively — and even reveal something profound about life.

We hope this list inspires you with your own writing. If there’s one thing you take away from this post, let it be that there is no limit to what you can write about or how you can write about it.

In the next part of this guide, we'll drill down into the fascinating world of creative nonfiction.

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

We made a writing app for you

Yes, you! Write. Format. Export for ebook and print. 100% free, always.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

Skip to primary navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer

Entertainism

The Elements of Drama: Theme, Plot, Characters, Dialog, and More

Drama is a composition of prose or poetry that is transformed into a performance on stage. The story progresses through interactions between its characters and ends with a message for the audience. What are the different elements of drama? How are they related to each other? How do they affect the quality and thereby the popularity of a play? Read on to find out.

The six Aristotelian elements of drama are, plot , character , thought , diction , spectacle , and song . Out of these, the first two are the most important ones according to Aristotle.

Drama can be defined as a dramatic work that actors present on stage. A story is dramatized, which means the characters and events in the story are brought to life through a stage performance by actors who play roles of the characters in the story and act through its events, taking the story forward. In enacting the roles, actors portray the character’s emotions and personalities. The story progresses through verbal and non-verbal interactions between the characters, and the presentation is suitably supplemented by audio and visual effects.

Through the characters involved, the story has a message to give. It forms the central theme of the play around which the plot is built. While some consider music and visuals as separate elements, others prefer to club them under staging which can be regarded as an independent element of drama. Lighting, sound effects, costumes, makeup, gestures or body language given to characters, the stage setup, and the props used can together be considered as symbols that are elements of drama. What dictates most other dramatic elements is the setting; that is the time period and location in which the story takes place. This Buzzle article introduces you to the elements of drama and their importance.

The theme of a play refers to its central idea. It can either be clearly stated through dialog or action, or can be inferred after watching the entire performance. The theme is the philosophy that forms the base of the story or a moral lesson that the characters learn. It is the message that the play gives to the audience. For example, the theme of a play could be of how greed leads to one’s destroyal, or how the wrong use of authority ultimately results in the end of power. The theme of a play could be blind love or the strength of selfless love and sacrifise, or true friendship. For example, the play Romeo and Juliet , is based on a brutal and overpowering romantic love between Romeo and Juliet that forces them to go to extremes, finally leading them to self-destruction.

The order of events occurring in a play make its plot. Essentially, the plot is the story that the play narrates. The entertainment value of a play depends largely on the sequence of events in the story. The connection between the events and the characters in them form an integral part of the plot. What the characters do, how they interact, the course of their lives as narrated by the story, and what happens to them in the end, constitutes the plot. A struggle between two individuals, the relation between them, a struggle with self, a dilemma, or any form of conflict of one character with himself or another character in the play, goes into forming the story’s plot. The story unfolds through a series of incidents that share a cause-and-effect relationship. Generally, a story begins with exposing the past or background of the main and other characters, and the point of conflict, then proceeds to giving the central theme or climax. Then come the consequences of the climax and the play ends with a conclusion.

The characters that form a part of the story are interwoven with the plot of the drama. Each character in a play has a personality of its own and a set of principles and beliefs. Actors in the play have the responsibility of bringing the characters to life. The main character in the play who the audience identifies with, is the protagonist. He/she represents the theme of the play. The character that the protagonist conflicts with, is the antagonist or villain. While some characters play an active role throughout the story, some are only meant to take the story forward and some others appear only in certain parts of the story and may or may not have a significant role in it. Sometimes, these characters are of help in making the audiences focus on the play’s theme or main characters. The way in which the characters are portrayed and developed is known as characterization. Here is a list of characters in Romeo and Juliet .

The story of a play is taken forward by means of dialogs. The story is narrated to the audiences through the interaction between the play’s characters, which is in the form of dialogs. The contents of the dialogs and the quality of their delivery have a major role to play in the impact that the play has on the audiences. It is through the dialogs between characters that the story can be understood. They are important in revealing the personalities of the characters. The words used, the accent, tone, pattern of speech, and even the pauses in speech, say a lot about the character and help reveal not just his personality, but also his social status, past, and family background as given by the play. Monologues and soliloquies that are speeches given to oneself or to other characters help put forward points that would have been difficult to express through dialogs. “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet” from Romeo and Juliet in which Juliet tells Romeo of the insignificance of names or “To be, or not to be”, a soliloquy from Hamlet are some of the greatest lines in literature.

The time and place where a story is set is one of its important parts. The era or time in which the incidents in the play take place, influence the characters in their appearance and personalities. The time setting may affect the central theme of the play, the issues raised (if any), the conflict, and the interactions between the characters. The historical and social context of the play is also defined by the time and place where it is set. The time period and the location in which the story is set, affect the play’s staging. Costumes and makeup, the backgrounds and the furniture used, the visuals (colors and kind of lighting), and the sound are among the important elements of a play that dictate how the story is translated into a stage performance. The Merchant of Venice has been set in the 16th century Venice. Romeo and Juliet has been set in the era between 1300 and 1600, perhaps the Renaissance period which is the 14th and 15th centuries.

Performance

It is another important element of drama, as the impact that a story has on the audiences is largely affected by the performances of the actors. When a written play is transformed into a stage performance, the actors cast for different roles, the way they portray the characters assigned to them, and the way their performances are directed are some important factors that determine the play’s impact. Whether an actor’s appearance (includes what he wears and how he carries himself on stage) suits the role he is playing, and how well he portrays the character’s personality are determinants of how well the play would be taken by the audiences. Different actors may play the same roles in different renditions of a play. A particular actor/actress in a certain role may be more or less accepted and appreciated than another actor in the same role. As different actors are cast for different roles, their roles are more or less appreciated depending on their performances. The stage performances of a play’s characters, especially those in lead roles, directly affect the success and popularity of a play.

Although considered as a part of the staging, factors such as music and visuals can be discussed separately as the elements of drama.

This element includes the use of sounds and rhythm in dialogs as well as music compositions that are used in the plays. The background score, the songs, and the sound effects used should complement the situation and the characters in it. The right kind of sound effects or music, if placed at the right points in the story, act as a great supplement to the high and low points in the play. The music and the lyrics should go well with the play’s theme. If the scenes are accompanied by pieces of music, they become more effective on the audiences.

Visual Element

While the dialog and music are the audible aspects of drama, the visual element deals with the scenes, costumes, and special effects used in it. The visual element of drama, also known as the spectacle, renders a visual appeal to the stage setup. The costumes and makeup must suit the characters. Besides, it is important for the scenes to be dramatic enough to hold the audiences to their seats. The special effects used in a play should accentuate the portion or character of the story that is being highlighted.

Apart from these elements, the structure of the story, a clever use of symbolism and contrast, and the overall stagecraft are some of the other important elements of drama.

The structure of the story comprises the way in which it is dramatized. How well the actors play their roles and the story’s framework constitute the structure of drama. Direction is an essential constituent of a play. A well-directed story is more effective. Stagecraft defines how the play is presented to the audiences. The use and organization of stage properties and the overall setting of a play are a part of stagecraft, which is a key element of drama.

Symbols are often used to give hints of the future events in the story. They complement the other elements of a scene and make it more effective. The use of contrasts adds to the dramatic element of a play. It could be in the form of contrasting colors, contrasting backdrops, an interval of silence followed by that of activity and noise, or a change in the pace of the story.

The dramatization of a story cannot be called successful unless the audiences receive it well. It may improve through constructive criticism or due to improvisations introduced by the actors. And a generous appreciation from the audiences encourages everyone involved in the making of a play, to continue doing good work.

Like it? Share it!

Get Updates Right to Your Inbox

Further insights.

Privacy Overview

Global site navigation

Celebrity biographies
Messages - Wishes - Quotes
TV-shows and movies
Fashion and style
Capital Market
Celebrities
Family and Relationships

Local editions

Legit Nigeria News
Legit Hausa News
Legit Spanish News
Legit French News

7 types of drama in literature explained (with examples)

What comes to your mind when the word drama is mentioned? Most people think of something created for theatre, television, or radio. They are correct. There are multiple types of drama, each with unique elements or characteristics. All have a place in modern culture and should be appreciated.

Understanding the various types of drama is important for people who enjoy literature, acting, and other forms of artistic creation. Usually, drama is performed rather than read. Discover more below.

Types of drama: all you need to know

Dramas are normally called plays. Their creators are known as dramatists or playwrights. They have been performed since the days of Aristotle, i.e. around 335 BCE.

What is drama in English literature?

The word drama was derived from the Greek words δρᾶμα and δράω. The first means an act or play, while the latter means to act or take action.

In literature, drama encompasses the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialogue. Through it, stories and events are brought to life by actors on a stage.

Artists fight AI programs that copy their styles

Aristotle, a famous Greek philosopher, defined it as a poetic composition acted in front of audiences in a theatre. Its purpose is to arouse the audience's feelings and purge these emotions, thus making people stronger emotionally. It combines performance, dance, music , and props.

Types of drama in literature

Below is an exploration of the various forms of drama in literature. The elements of drama are scenery and costume, musical score, libretto, characterisation, plot, and thought content. These elements are seen in all types.

Comedy is one of the most popular forms of drama in literature. It aims to make the audience laugh.

Its tone is light, and it almost always has a happy ending. The form started with Aristotle in ancient Greece in the 4th century BCE.

Examples of drama are Noises Off by Michael Frayn and The Simpsons. The latter had a 26-year run. Most characters on the show had hilarious characters.

Online popularity isn't political currency & 5 other lessons celebrities should learn from 2023 elections

In tragedy, the protagonist or hero is brought down by his/her flaws. Murders, pain, deaths, and insanity are among the most common ideas in tragedies. In tragic stories , the main character usually has some weakness or defect that causes their downfall.

The aim of tragedy is to release of certain emotions from the audience. It arouses sensations of pity and fear. Actors leave the theatre with an understanding of the ways of gods and men.

The audience's catharsis comes through witnessing disastrous and moving changes in the fortunes of the protagonist. Examples are Hamlet, Oedipus Rex, Romeo and Juliet , and Julius Caesar .

3. Tragicomedy

Tragicomedy combines the features of tragedy and comedy, e.g., a play can have a sad plot and a happy ending or be serious, with some elements of humour emerging throughout the play.

20 iconic 90s cartoons that will instantly trigger your nostalgia

Unlike comedy and tragedy, tragicomedy emerged a bit later, in the times of the Roman Empire. Roman dramatist Plautus was the first person to write a tragicomedy .

In his play Amphitryon, he used the lightheartedness of comedy but chose gods and kings as the main characters. He noted that every human being's life features some tragedy and comedy. An example is The Merchant of Venice .

4. Melodrama

Melodrama is a kind of drama in which everything is hyperbolised. Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech.

Usually, themes depicted in melodramas are simple and without any unpredictable plot twists. There are quite a lot of stereotypes in such dramas.

The primary goal of a melodrama is to awaken feelings in the audience. Melodramas are mostly love stories with charming heroes, scary villains, and beautiful heroines.

Top 10 best mutant movies of all time (not including X-Men)

Melodrama originated much later than comedy, tragedy, and tragicomedy. It first appeared in France at the end of the 18th century. Examples are All That Heaven Allows by Douglas Sirk and Now Voyager by Olive Higgins Prouty.

Farce is a form of drama that uses absurd forms of comedy, also known as dark humour. Its humour depends more on the character's physical appearance and silly jokes rather than the storyline.

Farce differs from a comedy in that the plot is primarily illogical, and the occurring events are impossible. Examples are Airplane! by Jim Abrahams and Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.

Opera is a staged drama entirely set to music . It is made up of vocal pieces with instrumental accompaniment and usually with orchestral overtures and interludes.

In some operas, the music is continuous throughout an act. In others, it is broken up into discrete pieces separated by spoken dialogue or recitative. Examples are La traviata by Verdi, Carmen by Bizet, and Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) by Mozart.

Most famous trios in popular culture: from history to fiction

Musicals combine songs , spoken dialogue, dance, and acting. It is pretty easy to confuse them with operas. In an opera, the lines are sung, but a musical employs dialogues infused with music performances. Examples are The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady .

What are the elements of drama?

The elements of drama are plot, musical score, scenery and costume, libretto, thought content, and characterisation.

What are the different types of costume in drama?

The main types of costumes in theatre are historical, fantastical, dance, and modern.

How many types of drama are there?

There are seven forms of drama, as explored above.

Understanding the different types of drama is important for all lovers of literature, theatre, and film productions. Drama started as a form of entertainment with the ancient Greeks and has evolved and split into different forms and types.

12 books like Harry Potter for those who don't want the magic to end

READ ALSO: Background of the study in research: guide on how to write one

Legit.ng recently published a guide on how to write the background of a study in research. The background of the study is one of the key aspects you need to get right when you are writing a research paper.

The background is the key to introducing the audience to the topic of your research, and it is different from the lead part. It is more in-depth - it explains why your research topic or thesis is worth your readers' time.

Source: Legit.ng

Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the 2023 Writer of the Year Award. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: [email protected]

Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Legit.ng where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: [email protected]

Ebooks, Publishing, and Everything in Between

Downloads & Pricing
Advertising

Exploring the Different Types of Creative Writing

on Sep 26, 2022
in Writing Tips
Last update: August 23rd, 2024

Writing comes in all forms and sizes. But in order for a work to be considered creative writing, it must come from a place of imagination and emotion.

This is something many people pursuing a creative writing degree online at first struggle to get a handle on. Take for example what Franz Kafa said about creative writing, “Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”

Many authors who choose to follow Kafka’s advice—to write “mercilessly” and from the soul—find it comforting that their writing doesn’t have to conform to one style. But this variety of types and forms might leave some writers a bit confused.

That’s why, in this article, we are going to walk you through the most popular types of creative writing, with some great examples from authors who absolutely rocked their respective forms.

In this article:

Creative Writing Definition
Creative Writing Techniques
Free Writing
Journal Diaries
Personal Essays
Short Fiction
Novels/Novellas

What Is Creative Writing?

Think of creative writing as a form of artistic expression. Authors bring this expression to life using their imagination, personal writing style, and personality.

Creative writing is also different from straightforward academic or technical writing. For instance, an economics book like Khalid Ikram’s The Political Economy of Reforms in Egypt is an academic monograph. This means that readers would rightfully expect it to contain analytic rather than creative writing.

So what are some elements that make a written piece more creative than analytic?

Popular Techniques Used in Creative Writing

Despite the fact that creative writing can be “freer” and less traditional than academic writing, it is likely to contain one or more of the following six elements:

1. Literary Devices

Many creative writers use literary devices to convey the meaning and themes of their work. Some common literary devices are allegories , metaphors and similes , foreshadowing , and imagery . These all serve to make the writing more vivid and descriptive .

2. Narrative

Authors often use this technique to engage readers through storytelling. Narrative isn’t limited to novels and short stories; poems, autobiographies, and essays can be considered narratives if they tell a story. This can be fiction (as in novels) or nonfiction (as in memoirs and essays).

3. Point of View

All creative writing must have a point of view; that’s what makes it imaginative and original. The point of view is the perspective from which the author writes a particular piece. Depending on the type of work, the point of view can be first person, third person omniscient, third person limited , mixed (using third- and first-person writing), or—very rarely—second person.

4. Characterization

Characterization is the process by which authors bring their characters to life by assigning them physical descriptions, personality traits, points of view, background and history, and actions. Characterization is key in creative writing because it helps drive the plot forward.

5. Dialogue

An important element used in many creative writing works is dialogue . Assigning

dialogue to characters is a way for authors to show their characters’ different traits without explicitly listing them.

Dialogue also immerses readers in the narrative’s action by highlighting the emotions and tensions between characters. Like characterization, it also helps drive the plot forward.

6. Plot

The plot is the sequence of events that make up a narrative and establish the themes and conflicts of a work . Plots will usually include an exp osi tion (the introduction), rising action (the complications), climax (the peak in action and excitement), falling action (the revelations and slowing down of events), and denouement (the conclusion).

The Main Types of Creative Writing (With Examples)

What’s great about creative writing is that there are so many types to choose from. In this section, we’ll walk you through the most popular types of creative writing, along with some examples.

Type 1: Free writing

Free writing, also known as stream-of-consciousness writing, is a technique that allows words and images to spill onto the page without giving thought to logic, sequence, or grammar. Although authors often use it as an exercise to get rid of the infamous writer’s block , free writing is also useful within a larger work.

For instance, let’s take a look at this excerpt from Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved.

Beloved by Toni Morrison [an excerpt]

the air is heavy I am not dead I am not there is a house there is what she whispered to me I am where she told me I am not dead I sit the sun closes my eyes when I open them I see the face I lost Sethe’s is the face that left me Sethe sees me see her and I see the smile her smiling face is the place for me it is the face I lost she is my face smiling at me

Note how the author uses free writing to convey the character’s disjointed and agitated thoughts. Even punctuation has been set aside here, adding to the rush of the character’s fear and confusion. The imagery is powerful (“the sun closes my eyes”; “her smiling face is the place for me”) and relies on repetitions like “I am not dead” and “I see” to immerse the readers in the character’s disturbed mental state.

Type 2: Journals and Diaries

A journal is a written account of an author’s experiences, activities, and feelings. A diary is an example of a journal, in which an author documents his/her life frequently.

Journals and diaries can be considered creative writing, particularly if they offer more than just a log of events. For instance, if a diary entry discusses how the writer ran into an old friend, it might include details of the writer’s emotions and probably use literary devices to convey these feelings.

It’s almost impossible to read the word “diary” and not think of Anne Frank. Let’s look at this excerpt from her work The Diary of a Young Girl .

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl [an excerpt]

Saturday, 20 June, 1942: I haven’t written for a few days, because I wanted first of all to think about my diary. It’s an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary; not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I—nor for that matter anyone else—will be interested in the unbosomings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Still, what does that matter? I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart.

In the extract above, Anne adopts a reflective tone. She uses the rhetorical question “what does that matter?” to illustrate how she arrived at the conclusion that this diary will help bring out what is “buried deep in her heart.”

In this way, the diary serves as a log of events that happened in Anne’s life, but also as a space for Anne to reflect on them, and to explore her resulting emotions.

Type 3: Memoir

Although they might seem similar at first, memoirs and diaries are two different creative writing types. While diaries offer a log of events recorded at frequent intervals, memoirs allow the writer to select key moments and scenes that help shed light on the writer’s life.

Let’s examine this excerpt from the memoir of Roxanne Gay, author of Bad Feminist .

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxanne Gay:

I ate and ate and ate in the hopes that if I made myself big, my body would be safe. I buried the girl I was because she ran into all kinds of trouble. I tried to erase every memory of her, but she is still there, somewhere . . . I was trapped in my body, one that I barely recognized or understood, but at least I was safe.

Roxanne Gay offers readers a powerful work on anxiety, food, and body image by taking them on a journey through her past . Using evocative imagery in the excerpt above (“I buried the girl I was”; “I was trapped in my body”) the author shares her psychological trauma and resulting tumultuous relationship with food.

As with most memoirs—and diaries—this one is intimate, allowing readers into the dark crevices of the author’s mind. However, unlike a diary, this memoir does not provide an account of the writer’s day-to-day life, but rather focuses on certain events—big and small—that the author feels made her who she is today.

Type 4: Letters

Unlike diary and journal entries—which usually don’t have a specific recipient—letters address one target reader. Many famous authors have had collections of their letters published, revealing a side of them that isn’t visible in other works.

Letter writing uncovers the nature of the relationship between sender and recipient, and can include elements of creative writing such as imagery, opinion, humor, and feeling.

Here is an excerpt from a letter by Truman Capote, author of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood .

Too Brief a Treat: The Letters of Truman Capote , edited by Gerald Clarke

Dear Bob; Have come, am here, am slowly freezing to death; my fingers are pencils of ice. But really, all told, I think this is quite a place, at least so far. The company is fairly good… I have a bedroom in the mansion (there are bats circulating in some of the rooms, and Leo keeps his light on all night, for the wind blows eerily, doors creak, and the faint cheep cheep of the bats cry in the towers above: no kidding.

In his letter to editor and friend Robert “Bob” Linscott, Truman paints a scene of his new setting . He uses hyperbole (“freezing to death”) and a powerful metaphor (“my fingers are pencils of ice”) to convey the discomforting cold weather. Truman also uses sound imagery (“doors creak”; “wind blows eerily”; “cheep cheep of the bats”) to communicate the creepy, sinister mood to his reader.

Type 5: Personal Essays

Many of us don’t normally think of essays as creative writing, but that’s probably because our minds go to academic research essays. However, there are many types of essays that require creative rather than analytic writing, including discursive essays, descriptive essays, and personal essays.

A personal essay, also known as a narrative essay, is a piece of nonfiction work that offers readers a story drawn from the author’s personal experience. This is different from a memoir, in which the primary focus is on the author and their multiple experiences.

A personal essay, on the other hand, focuses on a message or theme , and the author’s personal experience is there to communicate that theme using memorable characters and setting , as well as engaging events . These, of course, all have to be true, otherwise the personal essay would turn into a fictional short story.

Here is an excerpt from a personal essay by writers Chantha Nguon and Kim Green.

The Gradual Extinction of Softness by Chantha Nguon and Kim Green

In 1975, the Khmer Rouge informed the Cambodian people that we had no history, but we knew it was a lie. Cambodia has a rich past, a mosaic of flavors from near and far: South Indian traders gave us Buddhism and spicy curries; China brought rice noodles and astrology; and French colonizers passed on a love of strong coffee, flan, and a light, crusty baguette. We lifted the best tastes from everywhere and added our own.

The opening of this paragraph establishes the author’s strong and unwavering opinion : “we knew it was a lie.” Instead of providing a history of Cambodia, she demonstrates the country’s rich past by discussing its diverse “flavors”: “spicy curries”; “strong coffee”; “light, crusty baguette”, etc.

Using gustatory imagery , which conveys a sense of taste , the authors reveal their personal version of what makes Cambodia wonderful. The writer communicates the essay’s theme of food and memories through a story of her childhood.

Type 6: Poetry

Robert Frost once wrote: “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” Good poetry is effective because it uses the power of imagery to convey what it is to be human. Every word in a poem counts, and the best poems are those that evoke the reader’s emotions without unpacking too much.

As one of the most diverse types of creative writing, poetry can come in many forms. Some poets prefer to write in the more traditional forms such as sonnets , villanelles , and haikus , where you have particular structures, rhyme, and rhythm to follow. And others prefer the freedom of free verse and blackout poetry .

Let’s take a look at this excerpt from Maya Angelou’s powerful lyric poem , “Still I Rise.”

“Still I Rise” from And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems by Maya Angelou

Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.

Packed with powerful language, this excerpt from Angelou’s poem gives us absolute

chills! The refrain “I rise” is repeated 7 times in these two verses alone,

hammering home the idea that the speaker cannot be defeated.

The imagery, repetition, and rhyme scheme all work together to convey the emotions of pride and resilience. Both verses also rely heavily on metaphors (“I’m a black ocean”; “I am the dream and the hope of the slave”) to convey the speaker’s power. She is not like an ocean or a dream; she is both, and she is unstoppable.

Type 7: Song Lyrics

Song lyrics are in many ways similar to poems, except that lyrics are meant to be sung . They are a form of creative writing that allows writers to surpass the rules of grammar and punctuation in favor of creating rhyme and rhythm . This means that the creativity of a song lyricist is free from the traditional restrictions of language.

Type 8: Scripts

Scriptwriting is a form of creative writing that relies heavily on character dialogue , stage directions , and setting . Scripts are written for films and TV shows (known as screenplays and teleplays), stage plays, commercials, and radio and podcast programs.

Like song lyrics, scripts are written with the intention of reaching a non-reading audience. In other words, scriptwriters must bear in mind how their writing will be 1) interpreted by other storytellers , such as directors, designers, etc., and 2) performed by actors.

Let’s examine the iconic opening scene from the screenplay of the film Forrest Gump .

Forrest Gump , screenplay by Eric Roth [an excerpt]

THE MAN Hello, I’m Forrest. I’m Forrest Gump. She nods, not much interested. He takes an old candy kiss out of his pocket. Offering it to her: FORREST (cont’d) Do you want a chocolate? She shakes “no.” He unwraps it, popping it in his mouth. FORREST (cont’d) I could eat about a million and a half of these. Mama said, “Life was just a box of chocolates. You never know what you gonna get.”

From the dialogue and stage directions in this opening scene, the audience can see that there is something innocent, kind-hearted, and simple about the character Forrest Gump. This is conveyed through the way he introduces himself with a slight repetition (“I’m Forrest. I’m Forrest Gump.”) to a complete stranger, and the way he quotes his mother to her.

Moreover, the action of Forrest “popping” the candy in his mouth is almost childlike , and that the stranger is reluctant to communicate with him foreshadows the fact that the people Forrest meets are initially suspicious of him and his innocence. Thus, the pauses and silences in the scene are just as important to the work as what is explicitly said.

Type 9: Short Fiction

Short fiction is a form of creative fiction writing that typically falls between 5,000 to 10,000 words ; however, there is definitely room to go lower than 5,000 words, depending on the topic.

For instance, flash fiction is a form of short fiction that can be 1,000 words or less. In the case of flash fiction, the author unpacks the “skeleton” of a story in as few words as possible. For instance, legend has it that Ernest Hemingway wrote a 6-word “story”:

For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

In just six words, the reader is led to understand that this is a story of death and loss.

Nevertheless, the average short story is usually structured around the following elements: characterization , setting , plot , and conflict . Many fiction authors start out writing short fiction because it enables them to nail all the essential elements, which they can then expand upon in longer works.

Let’s look at an excerpt from Janet Frame’s short story, “The Bath”

“The Bath” by Janet Frame [an excerpt]

She leaned forward, feeling the pain in her back and shoulder. She grasped the rim of the bath but her fingers slithered from it almost at once. She would not pancic, she told herself; she would try gradually, carefully, to get out. Again she leaned forward; again her grip loosened as if iron hands had deliberately uncurled her stiffened blue fingers from their trembling hold. Her heart began to beat faster, her breath came more quickly, her mouth was dry. She moistened her lips. If I shout for help, she thought, no-one will hear me. No-one in the world will hear me. No-one will know I’m in the bath and can’t get out.

In this paragraph, there is an image of a frail, old woman, physically unable to get out of her bathtub. The diction , or word choice, serves to convey the woman’s sense of fear and helplessness. For instance, words like “grasped,” “slithered,” “uncurled,” and “stiffened,” demonstrate the immense effort it takes for her to try to get out.

The image of her “moistening” her lips illustrates that fear has turned her mouth dry. And the repetition of “no-one” in the last few sentences highlights the woman’s loneliness and entrapment —two of the story’s main themes. Indeed, the bath symbolizes the unavoidable obstacles brought about by old age.

Type 10: Novellas / Novels

Novels are one of the most popular forms of creative writing. Though they vary in length, depending on the subject, they’re generally considered a long form of fiction , typically divided into chapters .

Novellas, on the other hand, are shorter than novels but longer than short stories. Like short stories, novels, and novellas contain characters , plot , dialogue , and setting ; however, their longer forms allow writers a chance to delve much deeper into those elements.

Type 11: Speeches

Speeches are a form of writing similar to essays in that both forms are non-fiction , and both usually entail a discussion of the writer’s personal experiences and include engaging events and a particular theme.

However, speeches differ from essays in that the former are meant to be recited (usually in front of an audience), and tend to be persuasive and inspirational. For instance, think of the purpose of graduation speeches and political speeches: they aim to inspire and move listeners.

One of the most well-known speeches from the 20th century is Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream”. Let’s examine the excerpt below:

“I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King [an excerpt]

Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.

What immediately catches the eye (and ear) in this paragraph is the speaker’s usage of anaphora : the repetition of the phrase “now is the time” serves to emphasize the urgency of the matter being discussed (i.e. the prevalence of racial injustice).

The speaker’s repetition of the pronoun “our” is an appeal to his audience’s emotions and their sense of unity. Both he and they are in this together, and thus he is motivating them to take on the challenge as one.

Moreover, the use of figurative language is abundant here and can be found in similar inspirational and motivational styles of creative writing. The imagery created by the metaphor and alliteration in “the d ark and d esolate valley of segregation,” and its juxtaposition with “sunlit path of racial justice,” together aim to convey the speaker’s main message. Segregation has brought nothing but darkness and ruin to American society, but there is hope and light on the path toward racial equality.

Final Thoughts

Creative writing acts as a medium for artistic expression. It can come in a variety of forms, from screenplays and speeches to poetry and flash fiction. But what groups all of these different types of creative writing under the “creative” umbrella, regardless of form, is their display of a writer’s imagination, creativity, and linguistic prowess.

How to Write the Best Book Introduction

Making Use of Humor in Writing

4 Different Types of Writing You Need to Understand

I appreciate you offering such a thought-provoking perspective. It should be useful for academic writing in addition to creative writing, in my opinion. Each method you listed is pertinent and appropriate.

You’re absolutely right! Many of these writing methods can be applied to both creative and academic writing, enhancing the depth and effectiveness of communication.

Robert smith enago

Thank you for sharing this enlightening blog post on the various types of creative writing. Your exploration of different writing methods and styles provides an inspiring perspective on the boundless possibilities within the realm of creativity.

It is remarkable to see how creative writing encompasses an array of forms, each with its unique allure and artistic essence. From poetry, fiction, and drama to screenwriting, creative nonfiction, and even songwriting, each avenue offers writers a chance to express their thoughts, emotions, and imagination in captivating ways.

We truly appreciate your kind words! Creative writing is indeed a vast and fascinating world with endless opportunities for self-expression 🙂

eminem rapboy hoodie

Absolutely Creative writing is a beautiful blend of imagination and emotion. It’s about crafting stories that resonate deeply, whether through prose, poetry, or any other form It’s a journey of expression and connection thank you for posting helpful content

Hello there!

Thank you for your nice words. We are glad you found our content helpful 🙂

MA Creative Writing Scriptwriting

Key Details

Course Overview

Prepare for a career writing for theatre, radio, film, or television with an MA that allows you to explore and produce dramatic writing across the media.

You’ll study both the theory and practice of dramatic writing, addressing contemporary dramaturgical debates, analysing written and performance texts, and experimenting with a range of techniques in original writing. You’ll develop your skills in constructive criticism and the creative editing of your peers’ writing, creating a supportive writers’ network in the process.

You’ll be taught by renowned practitioners and visiting specialists through seminars, presentations, screenings, workshops, readings, and performance visits. All with the rigour and professional insight that are the hallmark of our creative writing teaching.

The scriptwriting strand of our world-renowned MA Creative Writing has three core modules.

Firstly, Dramaturgy, in which you’ll study the core conventions of drama as explored from Aristotle to McKee and as embodied in a range of plays, films, and TV programmes, from Antigone to I May Destroy You.

You’ll also take part in the Scriptwriting workshop, building upon your study of dramaturgical theory, where each week you’ll benefit from the scrutiny and feedback of your fellow writers and workshop leaders, such as the renowned scriptwriters Steve Waters, James McDermott, Ben Musgrave, and Sian Evans. You’ll incorporate this theory into your own writing practice in weekly creative development workshops, completing scriptwriting and planning exercises. Over the course of the workshop, you and your fellow writers will bring your exercises to the group for discussion and evaluation.

You’ll then go on to study the Process module, where you will explore the differing contexts of scriptwriting across media and develop a script for your choice of medium, building an idea from concept to realisation and exploring the modes of script development that are common practice for working writers. Over the summer, you’ll also write a dissertation, under the supervision of a member of our faculty.

Study and Modules

You’ll take four taught modules (two in the autumn semester, two in spring) and write a dissertation during the summer, with tutorial supervision. This structure gets you writing from day one. From the moment you arrive, you’ll have the chance to engage with the work of your peers and study some of the most important plays and films in the repertoire.

In autumn semester, you’ll study Dramaturgy alongside your Creative Writing Workshop, giving you the chance to delve into dramaturgical theory as you develop your own writing voice, and critique one another’s work.

In spring semester, you’ll explore the industry across dramatic media, learning how to present and develop an idea. You’ll also choose an optional module from a range offered within the School (excluding other Creative Writing workshops), which includes modules such as Creative Encounters and Adaptation and Interpretation. These choices allow you to design your own course of study and enable you to extend the range of your learning, your fellow students, and indeed your breadth of ideas.

During the spring semester, you’ll also embark on your dissertation, benefiting from close supervision and advice as you write a full-length drama for the medium of your choice. You’ll create an original script, written to at least second draft stage, for stage, screen (TV or feature film), or radio. With expert supervision you’ll take your story from initial idea, through a series of drafts, to a fully-realised script. Along the way, you’ll have an extract workshopped and presented by performers to an invited audience of industry professionals. You’ll also be able to publish a short piece of your choice in our professionally produced anthology.

Throughout the year, you’ll have one-to-one supervision, whilst also working closely with your peers who’ll read your work and offer their notes. In addition, you’ll enhance your studies by attending screenings, theatre productions, and talks by visiting writers. In recent years these have included Christopher Hampton, Roy Williams, James Graham, Lucy Kirkwood, Simon Stephens, Winsome Pinnock, Deborah Davis, Alice Birch, Rebecca Lenkiewicz and Inua Ellams.

Compulsory Modules

Creative writing workshop: scriptwriting, creative writing: scriptwriting: dramaturgy, creative writing: scriptwriting: process, creative writing research methodology conference, creative writing (scriptwriting) dissertation, optional a modules, analysing hollywood cinema, digital storytelling, contemporary fiction, ludic literature, japanese literature, the non fiction novel, the poetics of place, creative encounters, critically queer: sex, gender and sexuality, creative-critical writing, environmental humanities: human cultures and the natural world, adaptation and interpretation.

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.

Teaching and Learning

You’ll benefit from a distinguished and experienced team of lecturers on this course, all of whom are working writers who are celebrated in their given media. Our team has included the lecturers below, listed with their research specialisms.

You’ll also benefit from regular masterclasses with professionals in the different dramatic media in our ‘ScriptXtra’ slot and your work will receive rehearsed readings and be showcased in events with invited guests from the industry.

Steve Waters is an acclaimed writer for stage, radio and screen. His plays include The Contingency Plan, (Sheffield Theatres, 2022), Temple (staged at the Donmar Warehouse, London, in 2015), and Limehouse, which opened in 2017 at the same venue. His interests include drama and ecology, evident in his research project 'Song of the Reed: Dramatising Conservation' and his acclaimed four-part Radio 4 drama 'Song of the Reed' starring Mark Rylance. His books include The Secret Life of Plays and A Life in 16 Films: How Cinema Made a Playwright.

James McDermott is an acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and poet, who graduated from UEA in 2016. Since then, his plays have included Rubber Ring and Time and Tide. In addition, James has written for Eastenders and published two volumes of poetry, Manatomy and GreenAppleRed.

Ben Musgrave is an award-winning playwright whose plays include the Bruntwood Prize-winning Pretend You Have Big Buildings, and Crushed Shells and Mud. His plays for BBC Radio 4 include The Last Missionary of Kanaipur, and Vital Signs.

Siân Evans is a highly successful writer for stage, screen and radio; she has translated plays for the Sheffield Crucible and Liverpool Playhouse, and has had plays produced by the National Theatre, Theatre Clwyd and the Arcola among others. She has written and devised original series for ITV and the BBC and was a staff writer on continuing series like Casualty and Holby City. She is currently writing her third libretto for the contemporary opera company NOISE.

Independent study

Alongside your taught sessions, you’ll do independent reading, writing, and viewing throughout your MA. You’ll build towards working independently on your dissertation with supervision from one of our tutors. They’ll give you support and expert advice, guiding you through the different drafts of your script. You will receive one-to-one supervision at regular intervals as you progress from the conception to the culmination of your project.

You’ll be independently assessed for each module – through an analytical essay, original creative writing, and working process materials.

Your modules will be worth 20 credits each (with the exception of Research Methodology, which is worth 10 credits) and the dissertation is weighted at 90 credits.

Entry Requirements

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):  

IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in Writing and 6.0 in all other components)

Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review  our English Language Equivalencies  for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement. 

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:  

Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA   

Academic English at INTO UEA  

Promising candidates will be invited to one of our online interview days, which are scheduled across the academic year. Typically a candidate will be interviewed by two members of the Creative Writing faculty and we aim to inform candidates of the outcome within five working days. Unsuccessful candidates are welcome to re-apply, though not within the same academic year. Successful candidates will either be offered a place for the forthcoming academic year or a place for the following academic year (if it is felt that they need more time to develop as a writer). Once the forthcoming year is ‘full’ candidates will be offered a place on our reserve list with the option of a place for the following academic year if a place does not become available.

This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year .

Please note that those candidates offered a place on the course will not be able to defer their offer to the next year if they are unable to take up the offer of a place, however they are welcome to reapply the next year.

Additional Information or Requirements

Candidates are required to submit a portfolio of writing for assessment with their application - up to 30 pages of dramatic script/screenplay.

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:

UK Students: £9,975 (full time)

International Students: £21,200 (full time)

If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).

We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.

Further Information on tuition fees can be found here .

Scholarships and Bursaries

The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships ; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.

Course Related Costs

Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.

How to Apply

Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.

To apply please use our  online application form .

FURTHER INFORMATION

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office

Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515 Email:  [email protected]

International candidates are also encouraged to access the  International Students  section of our website.

Employability

After the course.

Graduates of the course have a variety of related careers. Some are acclaimed playwrights for the stage, such as EV Crowe and Bruntwood Prize winner Janice Okoh, or nominees such as Patrick Hughes and Martha Loader; some are Oscar-nominated screenwriters like Deborah Davis; some are writer/performers who make films and sitcoms, such as James McDermott; some, like Paul Farrell and Rob Kinsman, work on television series such as Waking the Dead or Doctors; and others, like Mags Chalcraft go on to take up a PhD. Our graduates have gone on to win BAFTAs, and work in radio, teaching and script editing – even running other MAs.

A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.

Example of careers that you could enter include:

Playwright, screenwriter or radio writer

Script editor

Theatre outreach officer

Podcasters

Arts administrator

Film director

Discover more on our Careers webpages .

Creative Writing Scriptwriting starting September 2024 for 1 years

IMAGES

Creative Writing Module Elements Of Drama
Decker's 5th Grade Language Arts & Social Studies: Elements of Drama
Elements of Drama Anchor Chart and Vocabulary Cards for Interactive
Elements of Drama Free Essay Example
Forms of Drama
PPT

COMMENTS

7 Different Types of Drama in Literature!
Drama is strongly linked to literature, so much so that the two are practically inseparable. For an instance, the play Hamlet has both dramatic and literary value. Drama can reach an audience in two ways. by way of hearing; by way of sight. Consequently, drama is broadly of two types: the drama of action; the drama of literature.
Different Types of Drama in Literature
What are the different types of drama? Learn more about comedy, tragedy, tragicomedy, and more with descriptions and examples.
Guide to Drama
setting - The scenic design and props. These add meaning and historical context to what characters do and say in the drama. Some components of the setting are as follows: the orchestra, the performance and dancing area for actors and chorus, which was utilized by Greek theater to inform audiences of what happens "off stage." (i.e. no murders or suicides were shown; instead, a messenger ...
8.2: Elements of Drama
Plot. As discussed in the Creative Nonfiction and Fiction chapters, plot is the most important element in a narrative. Similarly, it comprises arguably the most important element of a play. Plot is the events in the play and the order in which the events are told. There is no one correct way to structure a drama!
Drama
Drama is also a type of play written for theater, television, radio, and film. In simple words, a drama is a composition in verse or prose presenting a story in pantomime or dialogue. It contains conflict of characters, particularly the ones who perform in front of an audience on the stage. The person who writes drama for stage directions is ...
PDF Drama
The Writing Center Drama What this handout is about This handout identifies common questions about drama, describes the elements of drama that are most often discussed in theater classes, provides a few strategies for planning and writing an effective drama paper, and identifies various resources for research in theater history and dramatic ...
Writing a Dramatic Script: Five Key Techniques
4. Use Disguise and Deception. One the most important (and least discussed) ways to create conflict and drama in a story is by using disguise and deception. Disguise and deception were central to much of the best plotted literature of the 19th century.
8.1: What is Drama?
Drama as a Genre. Like fiction, drama —sometimes referred to as a play —features characters caught up in a plot, or series of events in a storyline. Just like in fiction, the plot is the trajectory of the story. Plays and novels are actually very similar in this way. In fact, some plays have been based on novels, and novels on plays.
Dramatic Structure in Stories: 5 Elements of Dramatic Structure
Dramatic Structure in Stories: 5 Elements of Dramatic Structure. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Aug 2, 2021 • 3 min read. Since ancient times, writers have employed elements of dramatic structure. Learn more about the elements of dramatic structure and how to approach narrative structure to write your own story.
What Is Drama? Literary Definition and Examples
Literary Definition and Examples. In literature, a drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialog (either prose or poetry). Dramas can be performed on stage, on film, or radio. Dramas are typically called plays, and their creators are known as "playwrights" or "dramatists.".
ENG 125 & 126
Elements: Structure -- This deals with how to setup the beginning, middle and end of a play and is even more crucial in drama than any other genre of writing. Characters -- People will act out the story on stage. Characters should be well-developed and not appear as stereotypes. Dialogue -- This is crucial in plays because everything happens ...
What is Drama? Modern Drama and its types
Drama refers to a literary piece that contains written dialogues, and can be performed as plays on the stage or screen. Dramas are also referred to as 'plays' and the authors of dramas are considered as 'dramatists' or 'playwrights'. Dramas have been performed since the age of Aristotle till the modern age. Dramas are audience based ...
CREATIVE WRITING- INTERTEXTUALITY- MODULE
After going through this module, you are expected to: 1. understand intertextuality as a technique of drama (HUMSS_CW/MPIj-IIc-16); 2. identify the various types of intertextualities used in drama; and. 3. analyze a drama script based on intertextualities used by the writer. You may start now with the module.
Creative-Writing Q2 Module 1
Creative Writing Quarter 2 - Module 1: Various Elements, Techniques, and Literary Devices of Drama 12 12 Creative Writing Quarter 2 - Module 1: ... **Two Types of Drama. Tragedy -** is a form of drama in which events lead to the downfall of the main character, often a person of great significance, like a king or hero.
10 Types of Creative Writing (with Examples You'll Love)
A lot falls under the term 'creative writing': poetry, short fiction, plays, novels, personal essays, and songs, to name just a few. By virtue of the creativity that characterizes it, creative writing is an extremely versatile art. So instead of defining what creative writing is, it may be easier to understand what it does by looking at ...
The Elements of Drama: Theme, Plot, Characters, Dialog, and More
The six Aristotelian elements of drama are, plot, character, thought, diction, spectacle, and song. Out of these, the first two are the most important ones according to Aristotle. Drama can be defined as a dramatic work that actors present on stage. A story is dramatized, which means the characters and events in the story are brought to life ...
7 types of drama in literature explained (with examples)
4. Melodrama. Melodrama is a kind of drama in which everything is hyperbolised. Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. Usually, themes depicted in melodramas are simple and without any unpredictable plot twists. There are quite a lot of stereotypes in such dramas.
What is Creative Writing? Definition, Types, and How to Get Started
Types of creative writing. Many types, forms, and styles of writing can be considered creative, from novels that tell fictional stories across 300 pages, to poems that consist of a few words. ... Drama. Drama is a form of creative writing that is meant for stage, screen, or radio performances. A dramatic work is called a play, screenplay, or ...
Creative Writing: Module 6: Understanding Intertextuality As A ...
CreativeWritingMELC7 - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free.
Exploring the Different Types of Creative Writing
Type 2: Journals and Diaries. A journal is a written account of an author's experiences, activities, and feelings. A diary is an example of a journal, in which an author documents his/her life frequently. Journals and diaries can be considered creative writing, particularly if they offer more than just a log of events.
Elements, Techniques, and Literary Devices in Drama- Video ...
Creative Writing- Quarter 2, Week 1MELC: Identify the various elements, techniques, and literary devices in drama. (HUMSS_CW/MPIj-IIc-15)Topic: Elements, Tec...
Creative Writing
Drama is a collaborative genre that requires actors and other creative practitioners to bring the writer's vision to life. It is one of the oldest literary forms. There are several types of drama including ancient Greek tragedies and comedies, modern plays and musicals, as well as dramas defined by length like sketches and one-act plays. Dramas ...
Writing 101: All the Different Types of Characters in Literature
A main character should be three dimensional and compelling; they should be the kind of dynamic character that readers and viewers can spend days with and not grow bored. Equally important are supporting characters, from sidekicks to love interests to parental figures to villains and anti-heroes. There are three ways to categorize character types.
MA Creative Writing Scriptwriting 2024/25
The scriptwriting strand of our world-renowned MA Creative Writing has three core modules. Firstly, Dramaturgy, in which you'll study the core conventions of drama as explored from Aristotle to McKee and as embodied in a range of plays, films, and TV programmes, from Antigone to I May Destroy You.
Sowrov Kumar Sharma
0 likes, 0 comments - sowrovkumarsharma on August 26, 2024: "I will setup facebook and instagram ads campaign, run shopify fb advertising Are you thinking about how to set up profitable Facebook Ads Campaign to generate more leads or sales for your business? Which ultimately fulfills your business plan? Then this Gig is Perfect for you. I will figure out the Best Marketing Goals for you.
Adobe Workfront
Add, edit, and manage the types of report widgets you want to add to dashboards to quickly build datasets. Export your Workfront data into data lakes or other business intelligence (BI) tools. ... Saved 1,000 hours each year on creative workflows. Saved 1,000 hours each year on creative workflows. Consolidated 74 request systems into one ...