3Dramatictext

**__Drama Text __** > __**Elements of a performed dramatic text **__ When performed, dramatic texts usually rely on visual elements to help convey the meaning. The visual elements can be:
 * Drama is text that uses performance (acting) to communicate the ideas of the composer (playwright or scriptwriter). Its purpose is to express the composer's view on life and to make the audience think this. Dramatic texts usually make a social comment, such as greed is bad, stop destroying the enviornment. They can make us laugh, cry or think deeply about an issue or simply entertain us.
 * Dramatic texts are made to be viewed and/or listened to . The composer usually uses specific lines (dialogue) and directions for the actors to perform. The two most common genres of dramatic texts are comedy and tragedy. __****__
 * Body Language - Facial expressions, gestures, stamping a foot, for example, can communicate emotions.
 * Costumes - Clothing worn by the characters can communicate something about their personality, ethnicity (use of traditional dress) and if they are rich or poor. Costumes can also tell about the historical period in which the drama is set.
 * Props and sets - Backdrops and items, such as furniture, tell the audience where the action is taking place (the setting), for example in a rich person's bedroom or in a park.
 * Lighting - Spotlights, coloured lights and brightness of stage lighting cancreate a mood on the set or show a time of day.
 * Sound effects - playing a tape with the sound of thunder, for example, indicates to the audience that the action is happening during a storm. This conveys the meaning of tension, isolation and scariness.
 * Dialogue - Dialogue is speech between characters. A dramatic text uses dialogue and interaction between the characters to tell the story. Stage directions are used to explain how some of the dialogue should be spoken.
 * Character - An actor plays the role of a character and must 'be' that character. The actor must imagine what it would be like to be in the character's shoes. Thought must also be given for how the audience should respond eg. feel sorry for a character or think the character is a hero, etc. The tone of the character's voice can also help to communicate information about their personality and feelings.