Dramatic Techniques | Jamb Literature-in-English

Dramatic Techniques

1. Dramatic techniques are tools used by playwrights to convey meaning and engage the audience.
2. Irony adds layers of meaning and creates tension.
3. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the characters don’t.
4. Foreshadowing hints at future events to build anticipation.
5. Symbolism gives deeper significance to objects or actions.
6. Tension and conflict drive the plot forward.
7. Lighting is used to indicate mood, time, or focus.
8. Stage directions shape the actor’s movement and the scene’s tone.
9. Sound effects heighten realism and emotion.
10. Dramatic pauses can create suspense or emphasize emotion.
11. Cliffhangers encourage audience engagement between scenes or acts.
12. Repetition emphasizes key themes or emotional states.
13. Monologues allow insight into a character's inner world.
14. Silence can be as expressive as spoken words.
15. Allegory uses characters or events to symbolize deeper truths.
16. Breaking the fourth wall engages the audience directly.
17. Contrast—between characters, settings, or ideas—enhances drama.
18. Flash-forwards disrupt the linear structure to reveal future events.
19. Juxtaposition highlights opposing ideas or moods.
20. Cross-cutting shows simultaneous actions in different locations.
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Characterisation

21. Characterisation is how a playwright reveals a character's personality.
22. Characters can be developed through dialogue, action, and interaction.
23. A round character is complex and evolves over time.
24. A flat character embodies a single trait or idea.
25. Antagonists challenge the protagonist and drive conflict.
26. Protagonists are central characters around whom the plot revolves.
27. Dynamic characters experience significant internal change.
28. Static characters remain unchanged, often representing ideals.
29. Foil characters highlight traits of others by contrast.
30. Character motivation drives behavior and decisions.
31. Costumes and physicality contribute to character portrayal.
32. Speech patterns can reveal background and status.
33. Backstory adds depth and context to a character.
34. Stereotypes can be used or subverted for impact.
35. Inner conflict reveals a character’s complexity.
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Dialogue

36. Dialogue advances the plot and reveals character.
37. Naturalistic dialogue mimics real speech patterns.
38. Witty dialogue adds humor and intelligence.
39. Subtext refers to meaning beneath the spoken words.
40. Dialects reflect regional or cultural backgrounds.
41. Interruptions create tension or realism in conversations.
42. Monologue is an extended speech by one character.
43. Duologue is a conversation between two characters.
44. Dialogue can expose secrets or hidden emotions.
45. Repetition in dialogue emphasizes themes or emotion.
46. Dialogue can set the tone—light, tense, romantic.
47. Fragmented speech can reveal anxiety or confusion.
48. Echoes in dialogue can reinforce symbolism or themes.
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Flashback

49. Flashbacks interrupt the present to reveal past events.
50. They provide background information crucial to understanding the plot.
51. Flashbacks add emotional depth to character experiences.
52. They can reveal motivations or explain conflicts.
53. Flashbacks may alter audience perception of a character.
54. Visual or auditory cues often signal a flashback.
55. Flashbacks may occur through monologues or narrative devices.
56. Multiple flashbacks can build layered storytelling.
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Mime

57. Mime uses body movement and facial expression to tell a story without speech.
58. It emphasizes exaggerated gestures for clarity and impact.
59. Mime can transcend language barriers.
60. Silence in mime heightens audience focus on physicality.
61. Mime allows abstract themes to be represented symbolically.
62. Classical mime often uses fixed poses and stylized movement.
63. It can be used to convey emotion, action, or mood.
64. Mime enhances visual storytelling in dramatic scenes.
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Costume

65. Costumes reflect time period, culture, and character traits.
66. They distinguish roles and social status within the play.
67. Color symbolism in costume conveys mood or themes.
68. Transformative costumes signify character development or disguise.
69. Elaborate costumes can indicate fantasy or royalty.
70. Minimalist costumes focus attention on performance and dialogue.
71. Wear and tear can suggest a character’s journey or hardship.
72. Costumes may include cultural or traditional elements.
73. Accessories like hats, belts, or jewelry support characterization.
74. Uniforms or specific garments can establish setting or occupation.
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Music/Dance

75. Music sets the tone and enhances atmosphere.
76. Underscoring supports dramatic tension or emotional cues.
77. Dance conveys emotion, story, or character relationships.
78. Rhythmic movement in choreography reflects cultural or thematic elements.
79. Live music can create immersive experiences.
80. Songs in plays often reveal internal thoughts or themes.
81. Traditional instruments may indicate setting or heritage.
82. Musical motifs can signify characters or recurring ideas.
83. Background music helps transition between scenes.
84. Dance breaks can offer symbolic or narrative interpretation.
85. Silence after music can create dramatic contrast.
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Décor/Scenery

86. Scenery establishes setting and mood instantly.
87. Realistic sets enhance immersion in the play's world.
88. Abstract scenery can reflect inner states or themes.
89. Props add detail and support action.
90. Minimalist staging focuses on dialogue and acting.
91. Shifting scenery allows dynamic transitions.
92. Scenic design often mirrors the emotional landscape.
93. Lighting interacts with décor to create visual effects.
94. Décor choices can reflect social status or historical context.
95. Symbolic set pieces can carry thematic meaning.
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Acts/Scenes

96. Acts divide the drama into major sections.
97. Scenes organize action within acts and signify location or time changes.
98. Scene transitions allow pacing and suspense control.
99. A play’s structure depends on how acts and scenes build tension.
100. Scene length can reflect urgency or reflection.
101. Flashbacks or dream sequences may occur as separate scenes.
102. Each act typically builds toward a climax or turning point.
103. Scene breaks offer opportunities for character development or reveal.
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Soliloquy/Aside

104. Soliloquy reveals a character’s inner thoughts aloud to the audience.
105. It builds intimacy between character and viewer.
106. Soliloquies often contain poetic or philosophical reflections.
107. Asides are brief comments directed to the audience.
108. Asides can reveal secrets or intentions unknown to other characters.
109. They break the illusion of realism to offer insight.
110. Both devices can create dramatic irony.
111. These techniques are often used for comic or tragic effect.
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Figures of Speech

112. Metaphors draw comparisons to deepen meaning.
113. Similes use “like” or “as” for vivid imagery.
114. Personification gives human traits to non-human things.
115. Hyperbole exaggerates for effect or humor.
116. Alliteration emphasizes mood or rhythm.
117. Oxymorons reflect inner conflict or irony.
118. Onomatopoeia mimics sound for sensory effect.
119. Irony can be verbal, situational, or dramatic.
120. Rhetorical questions engage thought and provoke reflection.

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