Year 10 Devising GCSE Drama: LEARN SHEET 2
Keyword
Definition
Genre
Style
The type of the drama e.g. comedy, tragedy, melodrama and physical theatre.
The way in which the drama is performed (e.g. naturalistic or abstract)
Form
The formal elements and characteristics (e.g. structure and content) of a particular play e.g. a well-made
play usually consists of three acts.
The arrangement of and relationship between the parts of the play e.g. ‘prologue, exposition,
dénouement’ or scenes and acts within a play.
The process of creating a piece of drama.
Structure
Devise
Semiotics
Creating symbolism/meaning via lighting, sound, costume prop or gesture. What something signifies or
represents to the audience (a lot can be created from a little).
Analysis
Responding to dramatic art, the process of examining how the elements of drama—literary, technical,
and performance—are used.
The area between the front curtain and the edge of the stage.
The point of greatest intensity in a series or progression of events in a play, often forming the turning
point of the plot and leading to some kind of resolution.
A speech, often in verse, addressed to the audience by one or more of the actors at the opening of a
play.
The moment in a drama when the essential plot point is unravelled.
The part of a play that introduces the theme, chief characters, and current circumstances.
The invisible wall of a set through which the audience sees the action of the play.
Changing from one position to another or one scene to the next.
The consideration of positioning in a piece of choral speech or movement.
How an action is done e.g. speed and effort.
A group of actors who perform together.
The style of the drama e.g. comedy, tragedy, physical theatre.
Apron
Climax
Prologue
Dénouement
Exposition
Fourth Wall
Transition
Formation
Dynamics
Ensemble
Genre
Vocal Skills
Physical Skills
Articulation – the clarity or distinction of speech
Projection- how well the voice carries to the audience.
Pitch – level of voice e.g. high or low
Pace – speed/rate of speech e.g. fast or slow
Pause – choice of breaks in speech
Tone – choice of the mood or emotion of delivery
Inflection – change in pitch or loudness of the voice.
Volume – continuum of loud to quiet
Pace – speed e.g. fast to slow
Direction – up/down, side to side, backwards/forwards
Size – continuum of big to small
Control – continuum of stable to unstable (e.g. staggered)
Orientation – choice of where the body is facing
Spatial behaviour (proxemics)
Facial expression
Gesture- hand, head or arms actions to communicate
meaning
Posture- How you stand
Response and Analysis Tips
When responding or analysing your own work and the work of others you need to ensure you explain specifically what,
how, why and the cause/effect.
Incorrect: They used gestures and facial expressions to show the emotion of the character.
Correct: They used gestures such as folded arms, shaking of the head combined with a frown to show that the character
was angry.
Even better: They used gestures such as folded arms, fast paced shaking of the head combined with a slumped physical
posture and a low focus as well as a frown to show that the character was angry. This was effective because it clearly
helped to show how the character felt about the situation as well as how this had affected them.