Genre of Literature: Drama (Features, Types, and Terms Used in Drama) JSS1 Literature-in-English Lesson Note

Subject: Literature in English
Class: JSS 1
Duration: 40 minutes
Topic: Genre of Literature: Drama (Features, Types, and Terms Used in Drama)

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. List and explain the main features of drama
2. Identify different types of drama with examples
3. Understand and use basic terms associated with drama
4. Distinguish drama from other literary genres

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

Students have learned about the three genres of literature. They understand that drama is written to be performed on stage and uses dialogue between characters.

TEACHING AIDS

• Sample play scripts
• Pictures showing stage performances
• Chart displaying drama terms and definitions
• Video clip or photos from school drama performances (if available)

INTRODUCTION (5 minutes)

The teacher asks students:

• Have you ever watched a play performed at school assembly?
• What makes watching a play different from reading a storybook?
• Who can describe what actors do on stage?

The teacher uses their responses to introduce the special features of drama that make it unique.

LESSON DEVELOPMENT

STEP 1: Features of Drama (12 minutes)

Drama has special characteristics that separate it from prose and poetry. Let us examine these features carefully.

1. Written in Dialogue

The most important feature of drama is that it is written almost entirely in conversation. Characters speak to each other, and this is how the story unfolds. There is no narrator telling us what happens. Instead, we learn everything from what characters say.

Example: TUNDE: Mother, I am going to school now. MOTHER: Have you eaten your breakfast? TUNDE: Yes, Mother. I will return by 2 o’clock.

Notice how the characters’ names appear before their words. This is how drama looks on paper.

2. Meant for Performance

While we can read drama as books, plays are actually created to be acted on stage in front of an audience. The writer imagines actors performing the work when writing it. When drama comes alive on stage with real people acting, it becomes much more interesting than just reading it.

3. Contains Stage Directions

Stage directions are instructions that tell actors how to move, speak, or behave. They also describe the setting, lighting, and sound effects. Stage directions usually appear in brackets, italics, or parentheses.

Example: AMAKA: (walking slowly to the window and looking outside) I wonder when Father will return home.

The words in brackets tell the actress playing Amaka what to do while speaking.

4. Divided into Acts and Scenes

Acts are the major divisions in a play, like chapters in a novel. Most plays have between one to five acts. Each act contains several scenes. A scene is a smaller section that takes place in one location at one particular time.

Example Structure:

• Act One, Scene One (at home in the morning)
• Act One, Scene Two (at the market in the afternoon)
• Act Two, Scene One (at school the next day)

When the location changes or time passes, a new scene begins. When there is a major shift in the story, a new act starts.

5. Uses Character Names

In drama scripts, you see the character’s name (usually in capital letters or bold) followed by what that character says. This makes it easy to know who is speaking at any time.

6. Has Limited Narration

Unlike novels where a narrator describes everything, drama has very little description. Most information comes from what characters say and do. Any description needed appears in stage directions.

7. Requires Theatrical Elements

Drama uses costumes (what actors wear), props (objects used on stage), lighting, sound effects, and music to enhance the performance. These elements help create the right atmosphere.

8. Performed by Actors

Real people bring the characters to life through their voices, movements, facial expressions, and emotions. The audience watches the story happen right in front of them.

9. Has an Audience

Drama is always created with viewers in mind. The audience watches and reacts to the performance. Sometimes actors even interact with the audience.

10. Shows Action Directly

Instead of reading “Ojo slapped Bola,” you actually see one actor slap another on stage. The action happens live before your eyes.

Class Activity: The teacher calls four students to act out a simple scene: two students are siblings arguing about whose turn it is to wash dishes, while their parents try to settle the argument. Other students identify the dialogue and actions.

STEP 2: Types of Drama (12 minutes)

Drama comes in different forms based on the mood, ending, and purpose of the play. Let us look at the main types.

1. TRAGEDY

A tragedy is a serious play with a sad ending. The main character (called the tragic hero) experiences great suffering and usually dies or faces terrible loss at the end. Tragedies deal with serious themes like death, betrayal, fate, and human weakness.

Characteristics of Tragedy:

• Serious and solemn mood throughout
• The protagonist is usually a noble or important person
• The hero has a tragic flaw (weakness in character)
• Events lead to disaster and suffering
• Ends with death or great misfortune
• Makes the audience feel pity and fear
• Often teaches moral lessons

Examples:

• “Death and the King’s Horseman” by Wole Soyinka
• “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles (Greek tragedy)
• “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
• “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare

Example Story: A brave king makes a terrible mistake because of his pride. This mistake leads to war, the death of his family, and eventually his own death. The audience feels sad watching his downfall.

2. COMEDY

A comedy is a light, humorous play that makes the audience laugh. Comedies have happy endings where problems are resolved in pleasant ways. The mood is cheerful and entertaining.

Characteristics of Comedy:

• Funny situations and dialogue
• Misunderstandings that cause laughter
• Characters may behave in silly or exaggerated ways
• Happy ending (often with marriages or celebrations)
• Light-hearted tone throughout
• Meant to entertain and amuse
• May include songs, dances, and jokes

Examples:

• “The Lion and the Jewel” by Wole Soyinka (has comic elements)
• “The Trials of Brother Jero” by Wole Soyinka
• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare

Example Story: A young man tries to impress a girl by pretending to be rich, but his lies keep getting him into funny situations. In the end, the girl discovers the truth but loves him anyway, and they get married.

3. TRAGICOMEDY

Tragicomedy mixes elements of both tragedy and comedy. These plays have both serious and funny moments. Life is not purely sad or purely happy, and tragicomedy reflects this reality. The ending may be bittersweet (partly happy, partly sad).

Characteristics of Tragicomedy:

• Contains both serious and humorous scenes
• Addresses serious issues but includes comic relief
• May have a happy ending despite serious problems
• More realistic portrayal of life
• Characters experience both joy and sorrow

Examples:

• Many modern plays fall into this category
• “The Lion and the Jewel” by Wole Soyinka (can be seen as tragicomedy)

4. MELODRAMA

Melodrama is a type of play that uses exaggerated emotions and situations. Characters are clearly good or evil, and events are dramatic and exciting. Melodramas appeal to the audience’s emotions strongly.

Characteristics:

• Very emotional and dramatic
• Clear heroes and villains
• Exciting and suspenseful events
• Exaggerated situations
• Usually has a happy ending
• Good triumphs over evil

These plays are very popular in television soap operas and movies.

5. FARCE

Farce is an extremely funny type of comedy that uses ridiculous situations, slapstick humor (physical comedy), and absurd events. Everything is exaggerated for maximum laughter.

Characteristics:

• Very silly and absurd situations
• Physical comedy (people falling, chasing, hitting)
• Mistaken identities
• Fast-paced action
• Purely for entertainment

6. MUSICAL DRAMA

Musical drama combines dialogue with songs and dances. Characters express their feelings and advance the plot through music.

Examples:

• “The Lion King” (stage musical)
• “Moremi the Musical” (Nigerian)

Class Discussion: The teacher asks students which type of drama they prefer watching and why. Students share experiences of plays they have watched.

STEP 3: Terms Used in Drama (11 minutes)

To understand and discuss drama properly, we need to know special words used in the theatre world.

1. SCRIPT/PLAY TEXT

The written version of the play containing all dialogue and stage directions. This is what actors read to learn their parts.

2. PLAYWRIGHT/DRAMATIST

The person who writes the play. This is like the author of a novel, but we call them playwright in drama.

Examples of Nigerian playwrights:

• Wole Soyinka
• Ola Rotimi
• Femi Osofisan
• Zulu Sofola

3. ACT

A major division in a play. Acts are like chapters in a book. There is usually a break between acts.

4. SCENE

A smaller division within an act. Scenes change when the location changes or time passes significantly.

5. STAGE

The platform or area where actors perform. The audience watches from seats facing the stage.

6. STAGE DIRECTIONS

Instructions in the script that tell actors what to do, how to move, or how to speak. They also describe settings and effects.

Example: (enter from left), (exits angrily), (lights dim), (sound of thunder)

7. DIALOGUE

The conversation between characters. This is what characters say to each other.

8. MONOLOGUE

A long speech by one character speaking alone or to others who do not respond. The character expresses their thoughts and feelings at length.

9. SOLILOQUY

A special type of monologue where a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone on stage. Other characters cannot hear this. It lets the audience know what the character is truly thinking.

Example: In Shakespeare’s plays, characters often reveal their true plans or feelings through soliloquy.

10. ASIDE

A short remark that a character makes to the audience. Other characters on stage pretend not to hear it. This lets the audience know something that other characters do not know.

Example: JOHN: (to Mary) Yes, I will help you with your work. JOHN: (aside to audience) But I really do not want to!

11. PROTAGONIST

The main character in the play around whom the story revolves. We follow this character’s journey.

12. ANTAGONIST

The character who opposes the protagonist or creates problems for them.

13. CAST

All the actors performing in the play together.

14. DIRECTOR

The person who guides the actors and makes decisions about how the play should be performed. The director is like the conductor of an orchestra.

15. COSTUME

The clothes actors wear to represent their characters. Costumes help show who the character is, their status, time period, and personality.

16. PROPS (Properties)

Objects used by actors during the performance. Examples include books, cups, swords, letters, or any item characters handle on stage.

17. SET/SCENERY

The physical surroundings on stage that represent the place where the action happens. This might include furniture, painted backgrounds, trees, buildings, or other decorations.

18. AUDIENCE

The people watching the performance. Without an audience, drama is incomplete.

19. THEATRE/PLAYHOUSE

The building where plays are performed. It contains the stage and seats for the audience.

20. CLIMAX

The most exciting or intense moment in the play when tension reaches its peak.

21. CURTAIN

The large cloth that hangs at the front of the stage. It opens when the play begins and closes at the end or between acts.

22. BACKSTAGE

The area behind the stage where actors wait when not performing. This is where costumes are changed and props are stored.

23. REHEARSAL

Practice sessions where actors learn their lines, movements, and timing before the actual performance.

24. INTERMISSION/INTERVAL

A break during the performance when the audience can rest, usually between acts.

25. OPENING NIGHT

The first public performance of a new play.

Class Activity: The teacher writes five drama terms on the board and asks students to use each in a sentence showing they understand the meaning.

EVALUATION (3 minutes)

1. State four features of drama.
2. What is the difference between tragedy and comedy?
3. Define the following terms: playwright, stage directions, soliloquy, and props.
4. Why is drama said to be meant for performance?
5. Mention three types of drama you have learned today.
6. What is the difference between an act and a scene?

CONCLUSION

The teacher summarizes that drama has unique features including dialogue, stage directions, and division into acts and scenes. There are different types of drama such as tragedy, comedy, and tragicomedy, each serving different purposes. Understanding drama terms helps us discuss and appreciate plays better. Drama brings stories to life through performance, making it a powerful and entertaining form of literature.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Watch any play or drama (at school, church, or on television). Write down the title and describe whether it is a tragedy, comedy, or another type. Explain your answer.
2. Create a very short script (10-15 lines of dialogue) between two characters. Include stage directions in brackets.
3. Draw a simple diagram of a stage and label these parts: stage, curtain, backstage, and audience area.
4. List ten drama terms you learned today and write a simple definition for each in your own words.
5. Ask your parents or older siblings about any memorable play they have watched. Write a short paragraph about what they tell you.