LITERATURE: STUDYING DRAMA Learner Note: It is difficult to discuss a specific DRAMA in this session, since all schools are not doing the same prescribed work. This session will focus more on introductory notes on the study of drama and will include extracts from some of the prescribed plays. It is, however, very important that you know the basics of studying drama – once you understand HOW to look at a prescribed play, your understanding of literature will definitely improve. It is also wise for you to prepare well for any literature paper, since that could help you to improve your marks.
LESSON OVERVIEW The DRAMA genre refers to all kinds of plays. You have to remember that plays are written to be acted and not only for reading in class. While reading a play, you should always imagine the play being performed on stage. When studying a drama, we have to look at factors like lighting, stage directions, costumes, setting and not only at the plot, characters and theme. Therefore this session will serve as an introduction to the study of the DRAMA. SECTION A: TYPICAL EXAM QUESTIONS Question 1: 40 minutes (Taken from FOCUS: Exam Practice Book, Maskew Miller Longman.) Learner Note: Please study the Additional Notes (Section C) before attempting the questions.
Hints: The following questions should be asked when studying a drama: Who is the playwright (writer) of the play? What is his background? What is the TITLE of the play? Does the TITLE mean something important in relation to the play? What is the SETTING of the play – where and when does it take place? What is the THEME of the play? (What is it about?) What is the STRUCTURE of the play? (Arrangement of Acts and Scenes) What is the PLOT of the play? (Main events) What kinds of CONFLICT happen in the play? Who are the CHARACTERS in the play? (Characteristics, roles they