Unit(s): Introduction to the Theatre
Purpose:
To get a better grasp of the structure of plays
Objectives:
Students will apply the structural elements of a variety of story forms. Students will identify the protagonist and antagonist of a story and identify their goals.
Materials
None. (It might be beneficial to have on hand copies of the plays under discussion, but it is not absolutely necessary.)
Procedure:
- Begin with a lesson in which the following terms are defined:
A. Exposition
B. Initial incident
C. Rising action
D. Climax
E. Falling action
F. Conclusion
G. Protagonist
H. Antagonist- Using a play, film, or television program with which all students are familiar, ask them to identify all the elements on the list of terms above.
- Using a second example, ask them to identify the major situation and the minor situations.
- Ask students to choose a day from her or his life and give it dramatic structure by answering the following questions:
A. Was I both protagonist and antagonist?
B. What subplots influenced the main plot?
C. Did the initial incident take place on the day in question or before?
D. How much of the drama is "real" and how much is "fantasy"?- Working in groups, ask students to choose a myth with which they are all familiar and give it dramatic structure. Encourage the students to use flashbacks, foreshadowing, fantasies, and supernatural experiences as rising and falling action.