Dramatic structure Notes

Dramatic Structure (aka: why plays don’t explode in minute one)

1. Plays are not chaotic collections of shouting and dramatic exits.
2. They are carefully built so tension slowly tightens, hits a breaking point, and then finally lets go.
3. That build-and-release pattern is called dramatic structure, and it’s basically the reason an audience stays awake.

So… what is dramatic structure?

1. In drama, dramatic structure is how the play is organised so:
   1. things start off manageable
   2. problems get worse
   3. everything blows up at the right moment
   4. consequences follow
2. In short:

   1. Dramatic structure decides when the drama happens and how intense it feels.

The main stages (with zero mystery)

Exposition: the calm before the chaos

1. This is where the play sets the scene.
2. You meet:
   1. the characters
   2. their relationships
   3. the situation that will eventually go wrong
3. At this point, nothing has exploded yet. The playwright is just quietly setting traps.

Rising action: things start getting uncomfortable

1. Now the problems arrive.
   1. arguments start
   2. secrets appear
   3. power shifts
   4. tension creeps in
2. In drama, this usually shows up through:
   1. sharp dialogue
   2. awkward silences
   3. characters clearly wanting different things
3. Basically, the audience starts thinking, “Oh no. This is going somewhere.”

Climax: the point of no return

1. This is the big moment.
   1. a truth is revealed
   2. a decision is made
   3. a confrontation happens
2. After this moment, there is no going back.
3. The audience is fully locked in, and the characters are officially in trouble.

Falling action: dealing with the mess

1. The explosion has happened. Now we see:
   1. reactions
   2. consequences
   3. emotional fallout
2. The tension starts to drop, but the damage is done.

Resolution: where things finally settle

1. The play ends.
   1. conflicts are resolved or accepted
   2. characters are changed
   3. the message becomes clear
2. Good endings don’t erase what happened. They show us what it all meant.

Why dramatic structure matters in performance

1. Because drama is performed live, structure helps actors and directors know:
   1. when to turn the emotion up
   2. when to slow things down
   3. which moments deserve silence, shouting, or a dramatic pause
2. It also helps the audience:
   1. feel suspense
   2. understand character change
   3. experience the story emotionally, not just logically

Dramatic structure and conflict (best friends)

1. Conflict powers dramatic structure.
   1. internal conflict simmers during the build-up
   2. external conflict usually explodes at the climax
2. Structure makes sure the conflict feels earned, not random.

Using PEEL to analyse dramatic structure (without panicking)

P: Point

1. Name the stage.
   1. exposition
   2. rising action
   3. climax
   4. falling action
   5. resolution

E: Evidence

1. Point to:
   1. a key moment
   2. a confrontation
   3. a turning point in dialogue or action

E: Explain

1. Explain:
   1. how tension increases or releases
   2. how this moment affects characters

L: Link

1. Link to:
   1. character change
   2. the play’s message

Now it's your turn...