How to Use Drama in ESL Lessons

This article was created by a professional writer and edited by experienced copy editors, both qualified members of the Demand Media Studios community. All articles go through an editorial process that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other steps in an effort to provide reliable information. By an
eHow Contributor

y y y y

Print this article

Use Drama in ESL Lessons

Flag this photo

While some teachers may be apprehensive about using drama in ESL lessons, many students enjoy drama lessons because role-plays or "getting out of their skin" helps them overcome shyness. It also boosts their speaking confidence and fluency, giving them real contexts to react to in the safe environment of the class. You can use both scripted and spontaneous drama in your ESL lesson in the form of skits, role-plays, charades and other forms.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions
1.
o

1
Look for situations in your course book where you can have your students role-play instead of just reading. Divide the class into small groups and have them come up with their own role-played versions of the situation, which they can act out in class. The same can be done with news articles or storybooks.

2
Liven up a quiet class with charades or a puppet theatre, particularly for young or beginning learners. You can involve the students on every level, from creating characters and drawing them to making a "stage." Sites such as KidInco (see Resources) offer free skits, play scripts and role plays that you can adapt to use drama in your ESL class.

3
Generate fluency using improv. Give your students a loose guide such as a TV interview, a celebrity talk show or a phone call. Give them a few minutes to organize themselves and prepare a "performance," which will require that they think on their feet and in the moment.

4
Select short scenes from a movie and play it for your students with the sound turned off. Divide your students into groups and have them play-act the scene, inputting words of their own. After the exercise, play the movie with the sound on for them to compare.

5
Integrate a writing exercise with drama by having students write letters, diary entries or news stories form the point of view of the character or describing events that caused or followed the situation used in the lesson.

How to Teach Dialogue in ESL Teaching

Angela Watkins began writing in 2005, and has cooked and worked in the food industry since 1995. In addition to writing and blogging about food-related topics, she also enjoys covering art, fashion and animals. Watkins holds a Bachelor of Arts in business management and communication from Judson University. By Angela Watkins, eHow Contributor
updated January 28, 2011

y y y y

Print this article

Teach students how to communicate with each other in English.

Pronunciation of English vocabulary words is often difficult for those learning English as a second language. Strengthen the articulation of vocabulary and the use of proper grammar with dialogue lessons and exercises. Work with students either alone or in groups to help them gain a better understanding of the English language. Make learning fun by incorporating popular culture, games and other activities to spice up lessons to make them engaging and entertaining.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions
Things You'll Need
y y y y y y y y

Card stock Pencil or pen Scissors Loose change Container Poster board Old Magazines Glue

1.
o

1
Practice with flashcards. Students who are learning English as a second language might be embarrassed by practicing their new found language in front of people. Help take away some of the self-consciousness by instructing students to write down simple phrases and sentences on card stock. Pick a topic for the class to write sentences about. Allow them to practice at home before communicating with the rest of the class.

2
Play a game. The "I Have Never" game, suggested on the ESL Party Land website, provides a fun twist for ESL learners to use conversation in a comfortable format. Gather pennies, nickels or other small forms of change and give each student a small quantity of change. Start off by stating something you have never done. For example, "I have never been horseback riding." The student who has done the thing you have not done must tell a story about how they did it and receives a coin. Encourage students to ask questions about the stories told. Continue until each person has told a story. The student with the most change wins.

3
Make up questions. Ask each student to make up and write down a question about a chosen topic. Focus on interesting topics such as current events, science or history. Cut each question down to a slip of paper and put all the paper slips into a container. Mix them up and let each student draw one and ask the question to the class. Encourage students to communicate their thoughts on the question in English.

4
Create a thought board. Break up the class into small groups of three or four students. Give each group a sheet of poster board, a stack of old magazines, scissors and glue. Provide each group with a topic for their board. Let students discuss how to design the board to accurately represent the topic with an arrangement of pictures cut from the magazines. Allow each group to present their creation to the rest of the class upon completion.

Read more: How to Teach Dialogue in ESL Teaching | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7862492_teach-dialogue-esl-teaching.html#ixzz1Qk0pHh14

Drama Activities for ESL Classes

Lucia Mata has been writing since 2008. Covering parenting and design topics, her work has appeared in both English and Spanish magazines. Mata has an Associate of Arts in interior design from Salt Lake Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Utah Valley University. By Lucia Mata, eHow Contributor
updated February 22, 2011

y y y y

Print this article

Drama activities can add fun to any classroom.

Drama activities are a great way to add dynamic to any classroom, especially to ESL classes. ESL students can not only overcome their shyness of speaking a language not native to them, but they also practice their English language skills in circumstances they might not be a part of often. This helps them become more fluent and expand their vocabularies.

1. Mime Games
o

One great way to help students practice vocabulary is by playing mime. Choose a student and either let him mime a word or action of his choice, or have him draw from a container with written assignments. Then have the rest of the students guess what the mime is representing. Playing mime also helps students be more confident, which translates into their abilities to speak English with others. You can give the students objects, actions or feelings to represent.

Professions Role Play

o

For this activity, give each student a "profession." They can be doctors, police officers, secretaries, etc. Then have the students mingle and talk about their responsibilities. You can also give them more specifics, like what they were doing at a certain time or situation or how they were feeling. For example, assign a nervous surgeon during surgery or a football coach confident his team will win the Super Bowl. Make sure they engage in conversation and not give a presentation; this way the activity prepares them for real life situations when they cannot prepare in advance.

Scripted Play
o

Have the students write their own plays in groups, following your directions and specifics. Then they can prepare to present it to the rest of the class. A scripted play helps students practice pronunciation, as they repeat the same words many times, but it also helps their confidence and fluency. Writing plays also helps them practice writing and grammar. Some ideas for plays can be stories from books, cultural tales or funny everyday situations.

Puppet Theatre
o

A puppet theater is perfect for shy students or a young ESL class. Have students create a story or use a script. They can also improvise situations with your lead. A puppet theater

helps students become more confident and fluent than when they act because they are behind curtains. You might have students make their own puppets, which is especially fun for a young class. Students can also present the show to another class or group.

Read more: Drama Activities for ESL Classes | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_7960247_drama-activities-esl-classes.html#ixzz1Qk1JbKrq

Drama games for ESL primary students

Erin Schreiner is a freelance writer and teacher who holds a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. She has been actively freelancing since 2008. Schreiner previously worked for a London-based freelance firm. Her work appears on eHow, Trails.com and RedEnvelope. She currently teaches writing to middle school students in Ohio and works on her writing craft regularly. By Erin Schreiner, eHow Contributor
y y y y

Print this article 1.

o

As ESL students work to master English, they require constant practice; teachers can provide students with this practice by engaging them in drama activities. Role playing and acting allow students to enjoy their English-language practice while they imagine themselves in a variety of settings. By integrating drama activities into their teaching, ESL educators can provide applicable practice situations, allowing students to perfect their English skills.

Press Conference
o

Start out the year by engaging students in a get-to-know-you drama activity. ESL students, in particular, have interesting stories to tel; from stories of their homeland and explanations of their trips to their new home in America, these students have a wealth of experiences to share with classmates. Use a podium or small table to create a press-conference stage. Students take turns answering questions from "members of the press," using their best English to describe themselves and their life experiences.

Everyday English
o

As you discuss different sets of English words, engage students in role play activities in which they pretend to be in a setting in which the words would be used. For example, if your students are learning about grocery store vocabulary, have one studen act as a store clerk and another as a customer. These students can engage in conversation about grocery store products or where to find a particular item. Allow your students to lead the role plays, or provide them with scripts, depending on their comfort with English and their fluency. Either way, the practice will help students prepare to apply their learning to real-life situations.

Puppet Show
o

With the aid of puppets, ESL students can practice their English skills and put on an entertaining show. If dealing with a large class, divide your students into groups of three or four. Provide each group with several puppets, or allow them to create their own puppets using socks or paper lunch sacks. Using an old refrigerator box or table with tablecloth, create a stage. Have students write a skit that they will perform using their puppets. By allowing students to craft their own skits, you are giving them extra practice composing in English. Once students have composed their skits, allow them ample practice time so they can wrap their tongues around the sometimes unfamiliar English words. Once students have perfected their performances, have them put on a show for the rest of the class, and even perform it for kindergarten or first-grade students in their school or a neighboring elementary school.

Read more: Drama games for ESL primary students | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_5890682_drama-games-esl-primarystudents.html#ixzz1Qk1RkZG4

How to Use Role Play to Teach ESL

S. Herlihy has been a freelance writer since 2001. Her work has appeared in many publications, including "USA Today," "The Womens Independent Press," "Big Apple Parent" and "ComputorEdge Magazine." Herlihy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the City University of New York. By S. Herlihy, eHow Contributor
y y y y

Print this article

ESL learners are those learning English as a second language. ESL students may range from the casual business traveler to the new immigrant to those seeking university admission. There are many different ways to teach English. One of the most helpful teaching techniques is to have participants assume roles they may use in daily life. This can include ordering at a restaurant or buying a car. Role-playing asks ESL students to use what they have learned and apply their acquired vocabulary to real-life situations.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions
Things You'll Need

y y y y

Restaurant menus Television Pictures of zoo animals Picture of airplane

1.
o

1
Ask students to pretend they are going to eat at a restaurant. Use a desk as a dining table. Have one student pretend to be the waiter taking the order. Have two others pretend to be ordering a meal. Use copies of real menus for this task. The teacher should go over all vocabulary words that may pertain to this situation with the students first. You may want to bring in television to the room so that students can watch cooking programs or even restaurant commercials.

2
Assign one student assume the role of a doctor and another the role of a patient. The doctor will ask the patient questions about what ails her. The participant assuming the role of the patient will tell the doctor about her symptoms. Ask students to make their complaint and questions very specific, such as a really bad migraine rather than a simple pain in their heads.

3
Have students play the roles of parent and teacher at a parent teacher conference. One student can act as the parent of an elementary-aged child attempting to find out about her child's educational progress. The second can play the role of a third grade teacher.

4
Ask students to pretend they're visiting a zoo with family. One student can act as the zookeeper. Another student can ask questions of the zookeeper. Place pictures of various exotic animals such as zebras and tigers on the blackboard to help students remember vocabulary.

5
Draw or cut out a picture of an airplane. Have students assume the roles of traveler, taxi driver, airline reservationist, flight attendant and pilot. Different students may assume the role of the traveler as they travel through the airport.

Read more: How to Use Role Play to Teach ESL | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4868110_use-role-play-teach-esl.html#ixzz1Qk1adbXl

Introduction to Drama
Melinda Dean is the author of more than fifty books (under various pseudonyms) for kids and young adults. Her publishers include Simon Pulse, Simon Spotlight Entertainment, Grosset & Dunlap, Aladdin, Razorbill and Archway. Before becoming a writer, Dean spent ten years as an editor. By Melinda Dean, eHow Contributor
y y y y

Print this article

Introduction to Drama
Drama began in ancient Greece. The word "drama" has its roots in Greek words meaning "to act" and "to do." A play is a collaborative process, and the study of drama involves the study of acting, directing, writing, music and art. History, psychology, and even religion also have a part in understanding drama.

1. History
o

Even before the ancient Greeks were performing the works of Aeschylus and Sophocles, there was drama. Religious rituals and folk celebrations across the world have elements of the theatrical. They are the deep roots of drama.

Features
o

Aristotle broke drama down into six elements: character, ideas, language, action (plot), music, and spectacle. Aristotle also wrote about catharsis, the purging of emotion, as part of drama.

Identification

Drama is often represented by masks of tragedy and comedy. Tragedy and comedy share many qualities. Both involve conflict, but the way that conflict is resolved is different. Traditionally, tragedy ends in the death of the main character or characters, while comedy ends with celebration or marriage.

Types
o

There are many sub-genres of tragedy and comedy, and sometimes the two are mixed together. Dramady, situation comedy, farce, theater of the absurd, melodrama, courtroom drama and satire are a sampling of the types of drama.

Elizabethan Drama
o

The Globe theatre, which put on many of Shakespeare's plays, opened in 1599. The Elizabethan period, when Elizabeth I ruled England from 1558 to 1603, saw people going to plays in large numbers.

Modern Drama
o

Modern drama can be divided into two main categories---realism and expressionism. Realism concentrates on the details of daily life. Expressionism is more concerned with feelings and uses innovative techniques to express the interior lives of characters.

Read more: Introduction to Drama | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5192884_introduction-drama.html#ixzz1Qk1rWf8O

ESL Class Role Play Ideas

Kara Page has been a freelance writer and editor since 2007. She maintains several blogs on travel, music, food and more. She is also a contributing writer for Suite101 and has articles published on eHow and Answerbag. Page holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas. By Kara Page, eHow Contributor
y y y y

Print this article 1.

Role-play activities are a fun and effective way to get ESL students speaking.

When learning a second language in a classroom setting, it's common for students to be shy when it comes to having open discussions. Role-play activities are an effective way for English as a Second Language teachers to encourage students to speak English and interact in realistic situations during class.

2. Movie Scene Role Play

o

If you have access to a television and video player in your classroom, this activity is great for getting students excited about speaking and understanding English. Play a short scene from a favorite movie for students. Provide them with subtitles, so they can both hear and read along in English, and replay the scene several times as necessary. Give students a script if they need extra help remembering, and assign each one a character from the scene. Divide them into groups and have them act out the scenes. Encourage them to include physical and vocal expressions, as this will make the activity more fun and help them understand the flow of the language better.

Situation Role Play

o

Choose a specific situation for role play and include props, if possible. An example for younger students would be a shopping situation, in which students have fake money and set up tables around the room with different products (books, pencils, markers) to purchase. Divide the students into two groups: sellers and buyers. They can practice using phrases like "How much is it?" and "How many do you need?" as well as using the math involved with counting out change. For older students, a business interview role play can get them to practice speaking skills while getting to know one another. Divide students into pairs, with one as the interviewer and one as the potential employee. The interviewer will practice asking questions while the employee will respond with true answers about his own background and job experience.

Auction Role Play

o

This role-play activity builds vocabulary and increases confidence. Give each student a product or item to "sell" to the class, like a book, a movie or something they would be interested in talking about. Each student takes turns standing in front of the class as the auctioneer. After describing their product to the class in as much detail as possible, students can take turns bidding on the product.

Read more: ESL Class Role Play Ideas | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6105275_esl-class-role-play-ideas.html#ixzz1Qk273qJ2

Role Play Activities for ESL Classes

Simon Fuller has been a freelance writer since 2008. His work has appeared in "Record Collector," "OPEN" and the online publication, brand-e. Fuller has a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Reading and a postgraduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. By Simon Fuller, eHow Contributor

updated February 16, 2011

y y y y

Print this article

Role play activities can help ESL students learn specific aspects of language.
ESL classes teach the English language to foreign students and others whose primary language is not English. Role play activities, in which students act out certain everyday situations, such as ordering a taxi or paying at a restaurant, allow participants to practice their English. These activities are useful because they're engaging and present students with a generally free-form environment, which can boost their confidence with the new language.

1. Storytelling
o

Some role playing activities place students in fabricated situations in which the participants must explain a particular scenario or otherwise relate a story. These kinds of activities test the students' ability to relay large amounts of information in a short space of time, as well as enabling them to practice the use of past and future tenses. For example, one storytelling activity could find a participant relating the tale of when he met a famous celebrity; others working with that student could then ask questions about the incident.

Interviews
o

In an interview role play, one student plays the job interviewer, asking a range of fairly short questions, while her partner plays the interviewee, and must answer the questions in a plausible manner. You can give students an opportunity to decide on the questions being asked beforehand, or allow the interviewer free rein to ask any questions she likes, as long as the questions relate to the job the interview is based around. This type of activity allows students to rehearse job interview skills, while practicing present tense and formal language.

Take a Message
o

This kind of scenario finds students practicing the kind of message they'd leave on voice mail or in a situation where the particular person they'd like to speak to isn't available. The class

teacher should impersonate the individual taking the message, while the student is allowed to speak for a minute or so; the student should be given a short list, containing the important information he needs to get across via the message in bullet point form. This activity can help students master reported speech and concise language.

Asking For...
o

This kind of role play activity has almost unlimited scope, since the idea is simply that one student takes the part of an individual inquiring about a specific subject, such as the location of the nearest restaurant or shop, or perhaps about the price of drinks at a bar, while her partner answers her questions. The kind of detail that the first student needs to find out can become more complex based on the ability of the class; for example, the scenario might find one student inquiring about a house he'd like to buy. The student would therefore ask for its price, the number of bedrooms it contains and the kind of heating installed, for instance.

Read more: Role Play Activities for ESL Classes | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_7946116_role-play-activities-eslclasses.html#ixzz1Qk2I3SAb

ESL Conversation Role-Play Exercises

Lissa K Johnson is a full time freelance writer. She has written for publications like Wild Oats magazine in South Dakota, and Fast Life Times in Minnesota. She has been writing for eight years, and has a degree in Journalism from the University of South Dakota in 2006. By LissaJ, eHow Contributor
y y y y

Print this article

Patty Middleton, an ESL teacher with an MFA in ESL from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, offers several suggestions as to the most effective ESL conversation role-play exercises you can do with your ESL students. Conversation is a major part of understanding a language, so these exercises should be an integral part of your instruction.

1. Meet and Greet

o

Create meet-and-greet exercises which will serve two purposes: They will help your students introduce themselves and they will help your students work on basic English skills in the process. Divide students into pairs and have them prepare a conversation in which they are meeting each other for the first time. Students should speak in English and have a conversation about who they are, where they have been and what they enjoy doing. The goal of the conversation should be for students to develop a role play that they can perform for other students. Begin the year by having the students do factual meet and greets, in which they share real information. As students get to know each other, they can develop fictional meet and greets,

in which they create other characters and share information about those characters with the class.

2. Role Playing
o

Develop exercises in which students are each given a particular role they must play. Middleton explains that this can fit into any ESL curriculum, because you can tailor the activities to the units you are teaching. For example, you can have pairs of students be a doctor and a patient when you are working on medical terminology; or a travel agent and a customer when you are working on travel vocabulary.

Read more: ESL Conversation Role-Play Exercises | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5754013_esl-conversation-role_playexercises.html#ixzz1Qk2tL29c

How to Analyze a Drama Play Act

Emily Pate holds a Bachelor of Arts in theater arts and government from New Mexico State University. She has worked as a dance and substitute teacher, administrative assistant and in film and videogame production. She has more than 16 years of theatrical experience as an actor, director and playwright. By Emily Pate, eHow Contributor
updated December 28, 2010

y y y y

Print this article

An act and its analysis await on this bare stage.

The angle from which you analyze an act (a segment in a play) and entire script depends on why you're analyzing it. If you're an actor, for example, you will still analyze the act for plot and thematic elements, but you ultimately focus on analyzing your character and her qualities through her actions, words and how other characters behave toward her. Approaching an analysis from a directorial standpoint is much broader and differs still from a scholarly or literary analysis. If you're analyzing

the play act for a class, the scholarly or directorial standpoints will provide the most in-depth analysis.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions
Things You'll Need
y y y y

Pen Paper Laptop/note taking device (optional) Play being analyzed

1. Character Analysis
o

1
Write a character analysis for all characters appearing in this act. Note descriptions for any new characters. Take note of the playwright's descriptions of them in stage directions (physical and behavioral). Include each character's socio-economic status (implied or stated), gender, age and how he fits into this act. Record what other actors say about the character.

2
Find characters (new and recurring) who bring something unknown to light or provide contrast to another character. Take note of any other functions you think this character serves.

3
Record how each character interacts with others. Include information on characters who behave differently in certain company or when alone. Ask yourself what similarities and differences each character embodies and why the playwright gave each character those particular qualities. Study how those qualities affect this particular act in the play.

2. Plot, Theme, Setting and Language Analysis

o

Write an analysis of plot actions in this act. Note any plot changes or "inciting actions" (events that change the direction of the plot or set a problem or conflict in motion). Notice if the plot is linear and easy to follow or complex. Some plays have virtually no plots and focus on character or theme. Take note, if this is the case.

2
Note any changes in setting and their effect on the play. Ask yourself if it's necessary and transitions smoothly. Also write down how the act's setting contributes to the play's central theme and what part of that theme shows itself in this segment.

3
Study how the play's theme appears in this act. The theme is a question of moral of human significance implied or directly asked in the play. Figure out what aspect of the theme is highlighted in the act. Ask yourself how your interpretation of the theme would change if you just read the act as opposed to the entire piece. Make a list of any items, characters or devices the playwright uses as symbols.

4
Look at how elements in the act like language, setting and devices adhere to a particular genre. If the act strays or twists the play's genre, note how this happens and your ideas on why

How to read a Play for Character Analysis

Video Transcript
This is Dr. Charles Grimes. I'm speaking on behalf of Expert Village about analyzing a text and beginning to rehearse your monologue. Now I'm going to speak about reading the whole play for the character--the character that you are performing, that you are going to become. The challenge is that you're going to replicate someone else's life. You have to think about all of those things that makes a person distinct from all the other people in the world, and you have to become that person briefly on stage for the director. Let me give you a bunch of questions that you can use and write down the answers as you're looking at the entire play. Find all the lines in the play where your character says something about himself or herself. Find other lines where other characters say things about your character. Be aware of course, that everyone in life likes to present themselves in a certain way and talk about themselves, but often, the way they talk about themselves is not who they are. You also want to think about how your character is physically and psychologically different from other people in the play. What is our orientation to life? What are they trying to do? What are they trying to get to? These are questions you would ask of your character. What are the attitudes about life your character is most likely to have? Do they hate life? Do they enjoy it? Are they out there to get revenge on other people because they hate other people? All these psychological mind frames, the mind set as we call it, as what they are to read the play for. All this comes through what the character does, and what the character says and what people say about the character. And there are a whole lot of other

questions you can answer as you're reading the play. What is the sociological profile of your character? Where does he or she come from? What is their class? Where do they live? How do they get to work in the morning? You want to think about physical adjustments. How do they walk? Are they old? Are they young? Are they stooped? You want to think about simply are they married? Are they divorced? Are they happy in love? Are they a lucky person? Are they an unlucky person? All the ways that we talk about other people in life, apply that to your character. Try to figure out what kind of a person they are. And we can end with a few other larger questions. How does this character treat other people? Are they mean to them? Are they superior? Do they think wonderfully of themselves? Do they think badly of themselves? Think about adjectives that you can use to apply to yourself and to your character. Later we'll talk about merging those two. What secrets does your character have about himself? What are they thinking all the time? What are you obsessed with? What are you worried about? Your character has the same kind of obsessions and secrets. And also, since this is a language based exercise, think about your character's relationship to language. How well do they speak? When they speak, for what purpose do they do so? Are they trying to make friends? Are they trying to put people down? Do they articulate well? Are they befuddled trying to figure out what their thoughts are and try to put them into words. These are all choices that you can think about the character that you find from reading the entire play.

How to Analyze Short Story Plot

This article was created by a professional writer and edited by experienced copy editors, both qualified members of the Demand Media Studios community. All articles go through an editorial process that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other steps in an effort to provide reliable information. By an
eHow Contributor updated January 29, 2011

y y y y

Print this article

Analyze Short Story Plot

Plot is an element of fiction that consists of the stages of action leading up to the climax of the story. A short story does not afford the writer much time to develop an elaborate plot. A short story plot is rather simple and can be analyzed by following a few steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions
1.
o

1
List the events. A short story usually has one main character around whom all the action takes place. Your list of events for any short story will probably consist of the movements of the main character. Also make note of mental or emotional events that take place with respect to the main character, such as he learned how his mother died, he understood why his mother left him, and he stopped feeling sad.

2
Create a timeline. Take your list of events and put them in chronological order. Sometimes a short story begins with a flashback, in which case the events of the story are presented out of order. Arrange your list of events in chronological order, even if that isn't the order in which they took place in the story.

3
Identify the conflict. Conflict is what compels the reader to continue reading, so all wellwritten short stories have a conflict. It may be as obvious as a struggle between two characters in the story, or it can be subtle, like the main character's internal struggle to decide what is right. Identifying the conflict will help you understand the plot, since the plot is the main character's journey toward resolving the conflict.

4
Find the climax. The climax of a short story happens when the tension heightens just before the conflict is resolved. In a mystery, for example, the climax is just before you find out who the killer is. The climax of a short story takes place shortly before the end of the story. After the climax, the writer ties up the loose ends and the story is over.

Read more: How to Analyze Short Story Plot | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2063744_analyze-short-story-plot.html#ixzz1Qk5F5Tde

What Is the Meaning of Comedy Tragedy Masks?

Robert Vaux has been a professional writer and editor since 1995. He has traveled throughout Europe and North America as well as parts of North Africa. Since 2000 he has been a professional movie critic at Flipside Movie Emporium, the Sci-Fi Movie Page and Mania.com. Vaux has a Master of Arts in English literature from Syracuse University. By Robert Vaux, eHow Contributor
y y y y

Print this article

The twin masks of comedy and tragedy are used to represent the creative arts: particularly theater, film, and television. They have their roots in Greek theater, and represented a reflection of ancient Greek mythological tropes. Their endurance across the centuries reflects the power of drama and the twin themes of joy and despair which bracket the human condition. Though they can appear separately and indeed evolved as representations of different dramatic art forms, their appearance together holds far more symbolic importance.

1. Myths and Duality

o

Masks were originally thought to be the purveyance of Dionysus, Greek god of wine. His sphere of influence lent him a sense of duality: both the joy of drunken revelry and the darker emotions which wine can evoke. The specific comedy and tragedy masks were also associated with the Muses: nine goddesses who held sway over creative expression. The muse of tragedy, Melpomene, wore the sad mask, and the muse of comedy, Thalia, wore the happy mask.

Greek Theater
o

It is believed that early Greek theater evolved out of festivals to Dionysus. The masks were frequently used during these festivals and subsequently incorporated into later theater. From a symbolic perspective, the masks freed their wearers from conformity and hidden desires, allowing people to express their true selves without fear. By donning them, the people honored Dionysus and the truths his influence revealed.

Purpose of Masks
o

From a more practical perspective, the masks helped audience members identify the emotions onstage. The mouths were enlarged in order to allow the actors to speak more easily, and the facial expressions were exaggerated so that those in the cheap seats could still understand what was going on.

Construction
o

Early comedy and tragedy masks were made from lightweight materials such as wood or pottery. They were intended to cover the entire face, with the help of a wig which would completely hide the actors' head. Women did not appear in Greek theater, so men would portray the women's parts using masks.

Genres
o

The twin genres represented by the masks are both intended to serve as a form of catharsis. Comedy acts to deflate our preconceived notions and remind us how foolish we truly are, while tragedy permits us to grapple with dark realities such as death and failure in a safe context. Though tragedy is today considered the more "artistic" genre, the Greeks actually revered comedy more highly. The symbolic linking of the two with the masks emphasizes both their common roots as drama and the complex depth of human experience.

Read more: What Is the Meaning of Comedy Tragedy Masks? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5033201_meaning-comedy-tragedymasks.html#ixzz1Qk5yY31t

What Is the Difference Between a Comedy & a Tragedy?

Lindsay Pietroluongo is a full-time freelance writer and nightlife columnist in New York. Her column and photos have regularly appeared in the "Poughkeepsie Journal" since 2007. Pietroluongo graduated from Marist College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. By Lindsay Pietroluongo, eHow Contributor
y y y y

Print this article

A theater mask.
Aristotle created the model for tragedies and comedies, archetypes that are still respected today. Both have simple layouts that have been repeated in modern times, in cinema, theater and literature.

1. Plot
o

A tragedy's plot consists of a serious action that stirs up feelings of pity and fear. A comedy's plot focuses on an ordinary problem that regular people face. Comedies aren't necessarily funny; they're stories of worthy people who succeed.

Characters
o

A tragedy's central characters are nobles. The main character is the tragic hero. A comedy's main character is the comic hero, who has average morals. Comic heroes are generally ignoble.

Settings
o

Tragedies often occur on a battlefield or in the great hall of a palace. A comedy occurs in an ordinary room, like a bathroom.

Events
o

Tragedies have episodes that provoke feelings of disappointment and fear. Due to the tragic hero's ego and tragic flaw, along with an error, he will encounter a semi-undeserved tragic fall. The charismatic comic hero will prosper and his innate nobility will be shown by way of tests of character.

Audience
o

Since the tragic hero's fall is not entirely deserved, the audience will still admire the hero. The hero will learn from his fall and, along with the audience, experience a catharsis. While the comic hero will not have high morals, he will have enough magnetism to win the audience over.

Read more: What Is the Difference Between a Comedy & a Tragedy? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5945862_difference-between-comedytragedy_.html#ixzz1Qk6f6cBr