What is Drama and what are the 3 key components of drama?
As you are reading this article, I will assume that you already have a story to tell, but you don’t know how to do it in an effective and compelling way, or you are an aspiring storyteller who wants to make a mark in the industry through your stories and strong narratives. so don’t worry In this article I will exactly going to tell you that.
If you have already tried to write previously and failed or are stuck in the middle of an unfinished, monotonous story, or you feel that your writeup is failing to build the narrative and entertain the audience. that you originally intended to build, it is probably because your write-up lacks the drama to keep your audience engaged and invested in your story.
So what exactly is Drama?
If you go by the definition Drama is the art of brewing a story by combining essential elements like plot, characters, and conflict to build a strong narrative and evoke emotions in your audience. In simpler words by incorporating the components of drama writers can build the mention in the minds of their audience and keep them invested in their story by constantly compelling them to think about what is going to happen next.
Drama was largely created for theaters hence it heavily depends on the visual or audio means to deliver the narrative to the audience. This is often reflected in the writing style of dramas where they try to show you around by painting an image in your mind, rather than directly telling you the details of the story. but before diving deep into the components and concepts of Drama it is critical to understand the difference between an incident and a story.
Story V/S Incident
A story is a chain of incidents that delivers a narrative and evokes emotions in the audience. on the other hand, the incident is a one-time occurrence and they may or may not deliver a narrative or invoke emotions. In that sense story is a broader term. A story will always have an archetype, but the incidents may or may not have an archetype. In simpler words when several Incidents collectively deliver a narrative and have an archetype they become a story, and when a story incorporates key elements like Plot, Character development, and Conflict it becomes Drama.
Key Components of Drama
Plot
The plot in drama is a series of events positioned in a way that keeps the audience curious and invested in the story til the end. Each event in a plot is aimed to raise the tension a little and they collectively form a broader narrative.
Character
In the context of Films and Plays, the character is what makes a person playing that part different from the others. In other simpler words, they are the set of beliefs, morals, and the way someone thinks, feels and interacts in your movie collectively forms his character. A character will always have an archetype.
Conflict
Conflict is the combination of two things 1st one is the intentions of your character (what he wants to achieve) and the 2nd is what is stopping him from getting what he wants(obstacles in his way).
Let’s dive deeper into The concept of Narrative in the story
Narrative is what the author wants to teach you through the story, it is the essence of the drama and conflict buildup in the story. It is the underlying lesson that will hit you hard and of the story on your memory and subconscious mind. A crystal clear understanding of the narrative is by far the first step for a writer even before they start to conceptualize the plot, character, and conflict in the story. It is that central around which the whole story is being weaved.
Conclusion
Drama is an art of storytelling that combines 3 key components Plot, Character, and Conflict in one story to evoke emotions in the audience and deliver a narrative, due to its origin in theaters Drama heavily relies on the visual and vocal aspects of storytelling. And by incorporating these into your story you will be able to leave an impact on your audience.
Recommended Reads
> What is the 3 Act Story Structure in films?
> How to Write Compelling Characters From the Inside Out
> 7 Types of Conflict in Literature: A Writer’s Guide
FAQ’s
- What is drama?
Drama is the art of brewing a story by combining essential elements like plot, characters, and conflict to build a strong narrative and evoke emotions in your audience.
2. What is the key difference between the Story and the Incident?
A story is a chain of incidents that delivers a narrative and evokes emotions in the audience. on the other hand, the incident is a one-time occurrence and they may or may not deliver a narrative or invoke emotions.
3. What is the conflict?
Conflict is the combination of two things 1st one is the intentions of your character (what he wants to achieve) and the 2nd is what is stopping him from getting what he wants(obstacles in his way).
