Dramatic Techniques
DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES
Things to look out for in plays. Context You will need to write about techniques used in plays during your KS4 course. You will be expected to be able to look closely at how the playwright creates tension and characters through different techniques You can use this homework to help you develop your skills when writing about any play but not all plays will use the same techniques. Objective To identify dramatic techniques in plays. What you need to do. 1. Read the help sheet ‘Dramatic Techniques’. You must read this first. 2. Either choose Task A (easier) or Task B (more challenging) or Task C (difficult). Task A Print off a copy of Play A. You need to identify the different dramatic techniques used in this. They have been highlighted for you. You just need to say what they are by labelling this sheet. Task B Print off a copy of Task B. You need to identify the different dramatic techniques by labelling the play. You need to say why you think the playwright has used the technique. In other words what does it tell us or how does it help to build the atmosphere. Task C Read Task C. You need to read the play extract and write a commentary/essay on how the playwright has used different techniques and why. In other words you are writing an analysis: how have the techniques been used to add drama or to help us understand character?
DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES
Speech directions Words in brackets that tell the actor how to say the lines. This helps us to understand the feelings of the character easily. Asides When a character temporarily turns away from another character and speaks directly to the audience. This helps us to understand a character’s real feelings at a particular moment in a play. It is often used for humour or to help us empathise with a character. Entrance and exits It is important to notice when characters exit and enter a scene. Pay particular attention to what is being said as they enter or what they say as they leave. Shakespeare often
Things to look out for in plays. Context You will need to write about techniques used in plays during your KS4 course. You will be expected to be able to look closely at how the playwright creates tension and characters through different techniques You can use this homework to help you develop your skills when writing about any play but not all plays will use the same techniques. Objective To identify dramatic techniques in plays. What you need to do. 1. Read the help sheet ‘Dramatic Techniques’. You must read this first. 2. Either choose Task A (easier) or Task B (more challenging) or Task C (difficult). Task A Print off a copy of Play A. You need to identify the different dramatic techniques used in this. They have been highlighted for you. You just need to say what they are by labelling this sheet. Task B Print off a copy of Task B. You need to identify the different dramatic techniques by labelling the play. You need to say why you think the playwright has used the technique. In other words what does it tell us or how does it help to build the atmosphere. Task C Read Task C. You need to read the play extract and write a commentary/essay on how the playwright has used different techniques and why. In other words you are writing an analysis: how have the techniques been used to add drama or to help us understand character?
DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES
Speech directions Words in brackets that tell the actor how to say the lines. This helps us to understand the feelings of the character easily. Asides When a character temporarily turns away from another character and speaks directly to the audience. This helps us to understand a character’s real feelings at a particular moment in a play. It is often used for humour or to help us empathise with a character. Entrance and exits It is important to notice when characters exit and enter a scene. Pay particular attention to what is being said as they enter or what they say as they leave. Shakespeare often