creative writing types of drama

7 Different Types of Drama in Literature!

Drama , popularly understood as a performing art, is one of the major modes of representation of fiction . Alternatively, drama is also a genre of visual and written media, used for comparatively serious narrative fiction . However, drama in literature is characterized by a narrative with dialogues and performance. Whether enacted in theatres, radio shows or incorporated into written media, drama is all around us. In this article, let’s learn briefly about the history , significance and different types of drama in literature!

What is Drama?

History of Drama in Literature

Dramatic Expression

Drama of literature or closet drama.

Drama Type – Comedy
Drama Type – Tragedy

Tragi-Comedy

Drama Type – Melodrama
Drama Type – Musical

Interesting Facts About Greek Drama and Theater

Parting thoughts.

Etymologically, the word drama comes from the Greek word “ draō ” which means “to do/ to act”. Have you ever noticed two marks representing drama? These masks identified with drama illustrate the classic conventional distinction between comedy and tragedy.

Drama, to this day, remains a precious art of collaborative production and reception, performed at a theatre for an audience. You might have enjoyed one yourself. However, it wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that this art is slowly fading off. We have neglected the art too much but there’s still time . The importance of theatre art should be inculcated in everyone, whether children or adult.

There are many different forms of drama, including mime, closet drama, improvisations, musicals, opera and others. Some of these forms have found their way into a dramatic literary corpus. For example, a closet drama refers exactly to what was written for reading, not performance. Others are specifically performative drama such as mime. It refers to a theatrical performance of gestures and suggestions of emotions and actions without the use of dialogues .

In simple words, hence, drama in literature is a performance of a narrative with dialogues, performed sometimes with dance and music according to a script. This script in a written form is widely read and enjoyed.

History of Drama in Literature

Ancient greeks.

As you can already guess, we can trace drama straight back to Ancient Greece, where Western drama originated. The cultural city of Athens mainly produced three types of drama – tragedy, comedy and satyr play. The exact origin of drama, or plays is obscure, as is the custom for so many cultural traditions.

However, drama as a mode of celebration was institutionalised in Athens in the 5th century BC through competitions to honour the God Dionysus. From the ancient period, only the works of a few dramatists remain to this day.

Some of them are:

Aristophanes

Ancient Romans

Next comes, yes, you guessed it right, Rome!

The Romans came across Greek drama when they captured several territories of the Ancient Greece in the 3rd century BC. By means of the Roman Empire, the art of drama spread far and wide. However, few works survive of the Roman dramatists.

Medieval Period

In the medieval period, churches took it upon themselves to popularize drama by encouraging enactments of biblical events.
These types of drama would require two groups to sing in Latin and by the 11th century, this type of drama spread through the whole of Europe and even Russia.
In the middle ages, plays were generally religious in thematic contexts because they served as important means of disseminating religious codes and education. However, secular and morality plays were also popular.

Elizabethan Period

The 16th and 17th century England was perhaps the most important period for drama. At this time, most plays were written in verses in iambic pentameter . It is a type of metric line used in poetry and verse drama. It specifies the rhythm or meter in a particular line. In addition to William Shakespeare , Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Middleton and Ben Jonson are important playwrights of this period. The themes of such plays were largely drawn from the mythology of Ancient Greece or Roman mythology.

English Restoration Comedies in the period of the 17th and 18th centuries were also popular, bringing on the renaissance of English drama in literature. Stealing from Greeks, Romans and other European counterparts, sexual explicitness, urbane, cosmopolitan wit, current topical literature, and dense, busy storylines marked English Restoration Comedies.

During the second wave of Restoration comedy in the 1690s, William Congreve and John Vanbrugh’s “softer” plays sought to appeal to a more socially diversified audience with a large middle-class element, as well as female viewers.

Modern and Post-Modern Period

Innovative branches of drama led by Norwegian Henrik Ibsen and German Bertolt Brecht marked the 19th and 20th centuries. These plays were marked by realist and modern, experimental themes, social critique. Some important playwrights of this period are George Bernard Shaw, Arthur Miller, Antonin Artaud and others.

Expression of drama, or the language of drama stems from the understanding and context of the text depicted. Different types of drama in literature have different expressions. It can be ritualistic and exaggerated or parallel the motion pictures. Britannica mentions the authors of ancient Greek ceremonial theatre who wrote in verses, and it is thought that their performers delivered this in an incantatory manner midway between speech and song . The result of such rhythmic word delivery was to raise the tone of the entire theatre to that of religious adoration.

A poem accompaniment makes the performers’ highly stylized system of symbolic movements of head and eyes, arms and fingers a harmonic totality in Indian play. The tragic soliloquy in Shakespeare allowed the hero, alone on stage with the audience, to evaluate his thoughts aloud in the persuasive terms of poetry.

What is Drama in Literature ?

Drama is strongly linked to literature, so much so that the two are practically inseparable. For an instance, the play Hamlet has both dramatic and literary value.

Drama can reach an audience in two ways

by way of hearing
by way of sight.

Consequently, drama is broadly of two types:

the drama of action
the drama of literature.
Dialogues and scenes are written particularly to appeal to the reader.
In this, dramatists follow the narrative via written performance and build tension around the plot .
For an instance, let’s take Hamlet. We keep on wondering whether Prince Hamlet will ever revenge his father’s death and free himself of his bothersome ghosts and visions of floating daggers by slaying the play’s antagonist Claudius.

Types of Drama in Literature

There are 7 types of drama in literature to bring out the narrative. These are:

Let’s look at each of them!

Drama Type – Comedy

Comedy is a type or genre of drama that is intended to make people laugh. However, humour is not the only quality that signifies a comedy. The main themes of a comedy are-

The tone is lighthearted.
Ingenious wordplay or twists of phrases.
Serious issues are addressed in a lighthearted manner.
Misunderstandings are amusing.
A happy ending.
Characters who are silly and out of the ordinary.
Usually concludes with a wedding, especially in romantic comedies.

The sub- genres of comedy include romantic comedies, sentimental comedies and others. William Shakespeare ’s “Much Ado About Nothing” is one of the most famous instances of comedy. With smart banter and more than a few stupid misunderstandings, Beatrice and Benedick go from enemies to lovers. And, as is customary in Shakespearean comedies, it concludes with a wedding!

Another Shakespearean comedy is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This romantic comedy addresses one of his favourite themes, “love conquers all,” with a funny twist. Young couples continually fall in and out of love as a result of a sequence of humorous and surprising events. Their equally humorous real-world problems are magically solved by a mischievous sprite named Puck as they tackle the flaws of love. Old enemies will soon become friends, and truly loved ones will meet again to live happily at Shakespeare’s happy ending.

Farce is another type of drama in literature which is, broadly humorous, however, there are significant differences between a comedy and a farce. The main themes of farce are-

Exaggerated wit
Jokes that are slapstick
The plot is illogical.
Unexpected occurrences
Humor is frequently coarse and inappropriate.

The play “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett is a case on point. But, The plot revolves around two guys, Vladimir and Estragon. The men wait beneath a tree for Godot, a mystery figure. We do discover, though, that Godot continually sends word that he would arrive the next day, but this never happens. In other words, nothing happens with any surety in this drama.

Drama Type – Tragedy

Therefore, tragedies are one of the most common and popular types of drama. As you can probably guess, tragedies tend to be sad. However, there is more to tragedies than that. The main themes are-

A fatal fault in the protagonist
Situations that easily spiral out of control — and not in a good way
Human agony, hate, or poverty are frequent topics. These are darker topics than in a melodrama.
Describes the demise of a once heroic or well-liked persona.
An unredeemable conclusion in which one or more characters die
Arrives at a terrible catharsis

Shakespeare offers a plethora of tragedies from which to pick. Few, however, can compare to “Othello” in terms of its vicious villain, tragic demise of its hero, and heartbreaking denouement. Because he doesn’t believe he deserves the life he has, Othello loses everything he has ever loved or desired.

These complex among the types of drama in literature. They are more than just tragedy and comedy blended together. The main themes are-

A serious plot delivered in a funny, sarcastic, or snarky manner.
Characters with tragic flaws whose acts do not result in death
A confusing subject
Characters with broad personalities that act in stereotypically humorous ways
There is no joyful or funny conclusion.

Classic plays were primarily concerned with clear-cut comedy, tragedy, or melodramatic genres. Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” contains enough comedic aspects to keep it from being classified as a tragedy – yet no one can argue that Blanche DuBois is anything other than a terribly broken character. It is the epitome of modern tragicomedy.

Drama Type – Melodrama

Melodramas are an exaggerated kind of drama in literature, in which conventional one-dimensional characters such as heroes, heroines, and villains contend with exciting, passionate, and frequently deadly situations. The main themes of melodrama are-

Character clichés include heroes, heroines, villains, mentors, and so on.
Romantic or sombre stories with sweeping arcs
Plots and events that are larger-than-life (or very small stories told in big ways)
Character reactions are exaggerated
Clearly defined literary topics
Character flaws must be overcome in order to attain a resolution
Ending that is sometimes cheerful and sometimes sad

When referring to melodrama, take Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. Nora’s exaggerated emotions place the piece squarely in the category of melodrama. WOW!! The finale is a blend of Nora’s delight and hope and Torvald’s melancholy and despair. Sometimes called “tear-jerkers”, another example of such melodramas is the play “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams.

Many a time, people don’t understand the difference between opera and musicals. An opera is a type of drama where the actors sing the lines or dialogues instead of speaking them. Also, the main themes of an opera are-

Arias, which are actually musical soliloquies.
Plot-driving sequences that may or may not be melodious
A libretto (text) that has been turned to music.
Tragic, comic, or melodramatic subject matter
May have a dancing aspect, but mostly depends upon vocal performances
Set design, costume design, and production

Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme” is one of the most famous operas of all time. It portrays the sad narrative of Rodolfo and Mimi, as well as the world of French Bohemia. The drama unfolds over the course of a year, set to one of opera’s most unforgettable compositions.

Drama Type – Musical

Musicals are different from opera. While lines in opera are sung, dialogues in musicals are infused with music and performances. The main themes of musicals are-

Firstly Songs break up periods of conventional plot.
Characters frequently sing in unison to express their emotions.
Songs as plot-altering devices
Storylines that be dramatic or hilarious
A memorable and unique musical score
Frequently a lot of singing and dancing.

Many musicals, such as “Les Miserables” and “Phantom of the Opera” are based on larger literary works. Both of these musical dramas communicate their topics directly via song and use musical sequences to advance the story. They simplify their original material by focusing on the most vital characters and plot components.

The term “theatre” is derived from the Greek word “theatron,” which means “seeing place.”
The masks allowed a single actor to play multiple roles in the same play.
The skene was a structure behind the orchestra. The skene was where actors changed their costumes. To create the background, pictures were sometimes hung from the skene. This is the origin of the term “scene.”
The chorus would occasionally comment on the characters in the play or warn the hero of impending danger.
A man named Thespis was the first actor. Actors are sometimes referred to as “Thespians” nowadays.
Ancient Greece is where the drama masks that have come to symbolise theatre first appeared. The two masks represent the two main genres of Greek theatre, Comedy and Tragedy.
In ancient Greece, tragedy, a genre that focuses on human suffering, was the most popular theatrical form. Thespis, a playwright and actor, is credited with the first performance of tragedy at the Dionysia.

Drama in literature is an ancient art, that we should preserve. Not only is it enjoyable to read, but also is delightful to perform. However, Theatre is a very subtle art form , and these actors deserve our respect and reverence. Also, Immerse yourself in reading more and more drama to enjoy this ancient art.

Drama allows children to explore, discuss, and deal with difficult issues, as well as express their emotions in a safe environment. It allows them to investigate their own cultural values as well as those of others, both past and present.

For more such informative and exciting articles keep visiting our blog !

What exactly is drama in literature?

A drama is a form of literature that is created to be performed in front of an audience. This sort of writing takes the form of a script, and the tale is told through the lines of the actors who play the characters. People can view dramas on stage, on the radio, or on film.

What are some examples of drama in literature?

Here are three famous examples of drama in literature: 1. A tragedy is depicted in William Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet. Due to their bickering families, two young children in this drama fall in love and feel compelled to keep their feelings hidden from their parents. Their hasty decisions, however, lead to their deaths. 2. Jean Cocteau’s play Les parents terribles is an example of a melodrama that has numerous layers of overdramatic scenarios such as infidelity and suicide. 3. The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber is a well-known example of a musical play that portrays the story of obsession.

What is the significance of drama in literature?

Dramas serve the purpose of entertaining the audience. While reading a narrative might be powerful, seeing it performed by actors adds a sense of realism to the work. Many individuals prefer spending their spare time watching dramas, specifically in the form of movies or television, in this day and age of binge-watching.

What are the four primary types of drama?

Tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, and melodrama are the four main types of drama. Although these genres emerged at separate times, each has its own distinct qualities. All of them, however, play important roles in contemporary culture and should be recognised.

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Different Types of Drama in Literature

DESCRIPTION Hamlet drama in literature example
SOURCE sabelskaya / iStock / Getty Images Plus

When you hear the word drama , you probably think of your favorite dramatic television show or movie. But literary drama has less to do with a serious storyline and more to do with stage performances. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of drama in literature, and what they look like on the stage.

Different Types of Literary Drama

Drama in literature refers to the performance of written dialogue and stage action. It’s a literary genre that allows actors to act out a writer’s words directly to an audience. But there’s more than one type of literary genre – and chances are, you’ve seen examples of them all. Here are some explanations and examples of different types of drama in literature.

Comedies are usually humorous plays. But being funny isn’t the only way to define a comedy! The elements of a comedy include:

Lighthearted tone
Clever wordplay or turns of phrase
Serious topics addressed in a humorous way
Comical misunderstandings
Happy ending
Silly, offbeat characters
Often ends with a wedding, especially in romantic comedies

One of the most famous examples of a comedy is William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing . Beatrice and Benedick transition from foes to lovers with clever banter and more than a few silly misunderstandings. And, like all proper Shakespearean comedies, it ends with a wedding!

A farce is a type of broad comedy. It depends less on a narrative storyline and more on physical humor, sight gags, silly jokes. Here are the parts of a farcical comedy:

Exaggerated humor
Slapstick gags
Nonsensical storyline
Improbable events
One or two settings
Humor is often crude and inappropriate

DESCRIPTION example of farce Waiting for Godot
SOURCE Robbie Jack / Contributor / Corbis Entertainment - June 05, 2015

For a film reference, think of anything by Monty Python or National Lampoon . On the stage, the absurd humor in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot (pictured above) is a farcical commentary on life, religion, and human relationships.

Operas are dramas in which the characters sing each line rather than speaking. The entire production is set to a musical score. You can tell you’re watching an opera if it includes these attributes:

Musical soliloquies known as arias
Plot-driving passages that can be non-melodic
A libretto (text) set to a musical score
Subject matter that is tragic, comic, or melodramatic
Can incorporate an element of dance, but typically relies on singing performances
Elaborate sets, costume design, and production

One of the most famous operas of all time is Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme . It tells the tragic story of Rodolfo, Mimi, and the world of French Bohemia. Set to one of opera’s most memorable scores, the story reveals itself over the course of a year.

When you hear drama , you probably think of melodrama . Melodramas tell a serious story in serious ways. Not sure if a drama is a melodrama? Check if it includes the following:

Character tropes such as heroes, heroines, villains, mentors, etc.
Sweeping stories of romance or serious topics
Larger-than-life plots and circumstances (or very small stories told in big ways)
Exaggerated character reactions
Clear literary themes
Flawed characters who must overcome their faults in order to reach their resolution
Ending that is sometimes happy, sometimes unhappy

Consider Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House when referring to a melodrama. Nora’s over-the-top reactions place the play right into the definition of melodrama. The ending is a mix of both happiness and hope for Nora, and sadness and despair for Torvald.

Musical Drama

It’s tempting to put opera and musical drama into the same category. However, their production proves that there are significant differences between the two. But how can you tell a musical drama apart from an opera? Use this checklist:

Periods of standard storyline interrupted by songs
Characters often singing in unison to express feelings
Songs as plot-changing devices
Dramatic or comedic storylines
Catchy, distinctive musical score

Often lots of singing and dancing

Many musicals, such as Les Miserables or Phantom of the Opera , (pictured above) are adapted from longer literary works. Both of these musical dramas express their themes directly through song and progress the plot with musical numbers. They simplify their source material by putting the most important characters and story elements on the stage.

Just from the word tragedy , you can assume that the ending will be sad. But there is more to a tragedy than a play with no happy ending. You can tell if a play is a tragedy if it includes:

A protagonist with a tragic flaw
Circumstances that quickly get out of control – and not in a funny way
Darker themes than a melodrama, such as human suffering, hatred, or poverty
Features the downfall of a previously heroic or well-liked character
An irredeemable ending that results in one or more characters’ deaths
Reaches a tragic catharsis

Shakespeare has any number of tragedies to choose from. But few can rival Othello for its cruel villain, its hero’s tragic downfall, and its desperately sad ending. Othello loses everything he has ever loved or wanted because he can’t trust that he deserves the life he has.

Tragicomedy

When you combine the elements of a comedy and a tragedy, you get a tragicomedy ! Tragicomedies are more complex than a drama with a few jokes, or a comedy with a serious scene. Some ways to tell if you’re watching a tragicomedy are if it has:

A serious storyline told in a humorous, sardonic, or snide way
Tragically flawed characters whose actions don’t result in death
An ambiguous theme
Broad characters who act in classically comical ways
Neither a happy nor a comic ending

Classic dramas mainly dealt in clear-cut comedy, tragedy, or melodramatic styles. But many modern dramas are considered complex enough to be tragicomedies. Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire has enough elements of a comedy to keep it out of the tragedy genre – but no one can claim than Blanche DuBois is anything but a tragically flawed character. It is the quintessential modern tragicomedy.

History of Drama

The word drama means “action” in Greek. Greek drama began with the work of Aristotle’s Poetics (335 B.C.), which is the oldest recorded work of dramatic theory. The tradition continued throughout Greek culture, marked by the famous laughing/crying masks of drama (Thalia, Muse of comedy, and Melpomene, Muse of tragedy).

The Roman Empire adapted drama into their literary tradition, where it spread into Europe and became known as theater in France and England. The Elizabethan era in particular was a flourishing time for European theater, which set the stage (so to speak) for theater around the world.

Drama Demonstrates the Human Condition

When you read a play or see performances on stage, you’re seeing a dramatization of the human condition. Being human involves laughter, tears, music, and tragedy – and no one knew that more than the Bard himself. For more resources on drama, check out a complete list of the plays by William Shakespeare.

What is Drama Definition Examples and Characteristics Featured

Scriptwriting

What is Drama — Definition, Examples & Characteristics

rama, an intricately captivating facet of human expression, skillfully weaves together narratives through powerful performances, invoking a myriad of emotions and profound thoughts. It forms an extraordinary intersection where the art of the written word harmoniously intertwines with the dynamic artistry of physical depiction, breathing life into stories that resonate on both the grand stages and the silver screen. But what is drama, actually? Where does it come from, and what makes a story dramatic? Let’s find out.

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What is Drama Defined By?

First, let’s define drama.

Let's first pin down a clear definition of drama to understand what exactly constitutes this powerful form of art.

DRAMA DEFINITION

What is drama.

Drama is a captivating literary genre that is brought to life through performance. With its roots tracing back to the Greek word 'dran,' meaning 'to do' or 'to act,' drama encompasses a wide range of artistic expressions. It delves into the complexities of human emotions, intertwining the lives of characters in a web of conflicts and resolutions. Through compelling narratives and vivid portrayals, drama not only entertains but also stimulates deep contemplation and introspection.

It offers a unique platform for exploring the human condition and shedding light on the diverse facets of the human experience. Whether on stage or screen, the power of drama lies in its ability to transport audiences into different worlds, allowing them to witness the triumphs, tragedies, and intricacies of life unfold before their eyes.

Types of Drama

History of drama, drama — a rich and varied history.

The history of drama is woven with threads from many civilizations, cultures, and time periods. Its evolution is a fascinating journey that traces the path of human societal progression.

Ancient Origins

Thespis, Athens, and The Origins of Greek Drama • Crash Course Theater

Over time, this ancient art form evolved, giving birth to the theatrical traditions that continue to shape and inspire contemporary performances. From the grand amphitheatres of ancient Greece to the modern stages of today, drama has transcended time, leaving an indelible mark on the human experience.

Drama Across Cultures

Throughout the centuries, drama has transcended borders and permeated diverse cultures and continents. Each region offered its own distinctive and captivating interpretation of this timeless art form.

Whether it's the grandiose tragedies of ancient Greece, the refined Noh theater of Japan, or the vibrant and energetic Broadway productions, the universal language of drama continues to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide, connecting people through the power of storytelling.

Renaissance Leap

During the Renaissance, a remarkable leap occurred in the realm of drama. Playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe emerged onto the scene. They made profound contributions that forever shaped and elevated the genre. Their works captivated audiences with their eloquent language, intricate plots, and profound exploration of human emotions.

History of Ideas • The Renaissance

Through their masterful storytelling, they transported audiences to worlds both familiar and fantastical, leaving an indelible mark on the history of theater. The Renaissance became a golden age for drama, thanks to the artistic brilliance and creative ingenuity of these celebrated playwrights.

Evolution and Movements

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, drama underwent an intriguing evolution, propelled by influential artistic movements that sought to capture the essence of societal changes and delve into the depths of human psychology.

The emergence of Realism , with its emphasis on depicting life as it truly is, provided a stark contrast to the fantastical realm of Surrealism , which explored the subconscious and challenged conventional notions of reality.

These dramatic movements, in their distinct ways, pushed the boundaries of theatrical expression, leaving an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of their time.

WHAT IS DRAMA AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

The power of performance.

The power to bring the written word to life in a captivating and powerful manner lies at the heart of drama. Through physical embodiment, characters become more than mere words on a page. From expression to gesture to costume, performers bring nuance and depth to their characters that can often only be conveyed through performance.

Through facial expressions, actors can convey a wide range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, anger to love. The subtle movements of the eyebrows, the curl of a lip, or the sparkle in the eyes can speak volumes and create a connection between the audience and the character.

I, Tonya • Drama Examples

Physical gestures can communicate meaning and intention. A simple hand movement, a wave, or a pointing finger can convey a message, emphasize a point, or reveal a character's personality.

From the grand sweeping movements to the delicate subtleties, gestures add another layer of communication to the performance.

Drama Examples • Gestures and Performance

The choice of costume can instantly transport the audience to a specific time period or setting. It can reflect a character's status, personality, or even their hidden desires.

The colors, fabrics, and styles of the costumes enhance the visual storytelling and provide cues about the characters and the world they inhabit.

Costume Design — The Hidden Layer of Movie Magic

This transformation from text to living art is what makes drama so unique and powerful; it has the ability to transport an audience to a world of imaginative storytelling. The impact of expression, gesture, and costume on the stage brings the characters and their stories to life, creating a memorable and immersive experience for all.

What is Comedy? →
A Brief History of Motion Pictures →
What is Theme in Literature and Film? →

Various Types of Drama

In exploring the captivating world of drama, it's essential to recognize its diverse forms. The drama genre comes in diverse types, each with its unique storytelling techniques and thematic explorations.

Hamlet • Tragedy Drama Examples

Comedy offers light-hearted plots with humorous outcomes. It aims to entertain and bring joy to the audience. A classic example is Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest , a witty and satirical play that explores mistaken identities and societal conventions.

Many wonder what is the difference in drama vs melodrama and how what distinguishes each. Melodrama exaggerates characters and emotions, creating intense and dramatic situations. It often includes exaggerated gestures and passionate dialogue.

A famous melodramatic example is Gone with the Wind , a sweeping epic set during the American Civil War, filled with love, betrayal, and sacrifice.

Gone With the Wind • Drama Examples

Farce relies on slapstick humor and absurd situations to generate laughter. It often involves mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and chaotic events. One well-known farce is Michael Frayn's Noises Off , a play within a play that hilariously depicts the backstage antics of a dysfunctional theater troupe.

Historical Drama

Hamilton • Drama examples

Musical drama.

Musical dramas use singing and dancing to enhance the storytelling experience. They combine music, lyrics, and choreography to convey emotions and advance the plot. One iconic musical drama is Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera , a haunting love story set in the Paris Opera House.

Each type of drama offers a unique narrative style and provides audiences with diverse and captivating theatrical experiences.

What is Drama Evolving Toward?

Evolution of drama.

Throughout history, drama has evolved, skillfully adapting to societal changes, technological advancements, and shifting audience preferences. From ancient Greece to the digital performances of today, drama has transformed, remaining a dynamic medium of storytelling.

In the contemporary world, drama pushes boundaries, exploring complex themes and reflecting diverse realities. It sparks conversations and inspires change.

Drama evolves, reflecting its environment and audience preferences. Looking ahead, the genre will adapt and innovate, maintaining its vital role as a conduit for storytelling and a catalyst for thought and conversation.

Through its evolution, drama underscores the need for human connection, empathy, and understanding, reinforcing its enduring relevance and impact.

What is Comedy?

While the intensity and depth of drama allow us to dive into complex emotions and narratives, it's the lighter, more humorous side of storytelling that often provides a much-needed respite. This brings us to our next topic, comedy, an art form that uses humor as its central theme.

Up Next: Comedy Explained →

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Guide to Drama

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Drama Guide

Basic Definition

Drama is a form of literature acted out by performers. Performers work with the playwright, director, set and lighting designers to stage a show. Live actors act as someone else called a character.

A play consists of:
dialogue – where characters talk with each other
action – what characters do in the play
gesture – what the character shows through motion(s) and expression(s)

A script, written by a playwright, gives the actors words and cues to perform the dialogue, actions, and gestures of their characters on stage.

As a reader, you can only imagine what the gestures, expressions, and voices of the characters are like. Remember you must imagine the “sounds,” actions, and scenery when you are reading a script.

Reading a play is like listening to a conversation, and using your imagination to guess at what the characters are like. This conversation is what actors will perform on the stage and will give you an idea of how other people, including the playwright, imagined the play to be.

Drama differs from short stories and novels because it is made to be performed by different actors in different locations throughout time. While the script remains the same, actors’ interpretations of a single role may differ.

If you have read a play and then see it, you may be surprised because the play may be different from what you had imagined. This is similar to reading a story and then seeing a movie of that story– it is rarely exactly what you had imagined.

There are two basic types of drama:

Some of the first forms of documented drama come from ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks performed both tragedies and comedies. Ancient tragedy – invented by the ancient Greeks to show the actions of a tragic hero or heroine. (Ex: Oedipus Rex. ) tragic hero/heroine – the protagonist, or main character, in the play.

he/she must be of noble birth or hold an important social position
he/she is generally virtuous
he/she has a desire to do good deeds
he/she dies in the end of the play
crisis of feeling – painful or harmful experience that may upset or depress the audience.
catharsis/ purgation – the audience cleanses their emotions. For example, they may feel uplifted and/or get a new sense of spiritual understanding or tragic pleasure.
reversal/ peripeteia – the hero/heroine goes through a significant change in fortune for the worse. The reversal may happen after a discovery ( anagnorisis, ) or a recognition of something previously not known to the hero/heroine. Example:
In Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Oedipus experiences a reversal when he gets the message that his father, Polybos, has died of old age. Oedipus is at first relieved to find out that the prophecy that he would kill his father was wrong. Then his dream is renewed when the same message reveals that Polybos was not his biological father (Kennedy 871). (Comedies can have reversals too, but in comedy, the change is almost always for the better).

Modern tragedy – unlike Greek tragedy, the protagonist is often a common or middle-class person, not high born, noble or important. Ordinary people exemplify basic issues of social and personal conflict.

Ancient Greek Comedy – performed to show the humorous actions of one or more characters as they attempt to solve a problem.

required action and conflict that led to a happy ending.
included ridiculing and violent personal attacks on contemporary personalities.
involved acting out of bawdy personal and social relationships.
as opposed to ancient Greek tragedy, a change in fortune is almost always for the better.

Types of comedy from ancient to modern times:

romantic – involves a love affair that does not run smoothly but ends happily.
Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream
the movie, Pretty Woman
manners – portrays upper-class society involved in witty repartee that focuses on their relationships and “affairs.” A comedy of manners focuses on the behavior of men and women who violate the rules and manners of upper-class society.
farce – “low comedy” with lots of “belly laughs” that uses quick physical action to induce immediate laughter. The verbal humor is often crude or ridiculous. Farce is sometimes based on incongruities of character and action; a character doing something that is completely unlike what we would expect of them.
In Shakespeare uses farcical humor in his play, Twelfth Night. Malvolio, a very rude, self-important character, is convinced to wear funny clothing and act like a fool (Meyer 900).
Most of Jim Carey’s comedy is a farce. His comedy is based on quick physical humor and often crude dialogue.
satire – mean jokes (barbs) are aimed at people, ideas or things in order to improve, correct, or prevent something. Example: Again, the character Malvolio in Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night is a satirical character. He is held up for scrutiny and ridicule by other characters and the audience because of his self-important, pompous attitude. Shakespeare reveals Malvolio’s faults and shows him to be pathetic.
The movies, Fargo, and Pulp Fiction

ANALYZING DRAMA How you react to a play will depend on:

your individual perspective of the world
your sense of humor
you political attitudes
your moral values

Analysis begins by asking what factors about the play shaped your response.

Aspects of drama that help you to enjoy and interpret a play:

setting – The scenic design and props. These add meaning and historical context to what characters do and say in the drama. Some components of the setting are as follows:

the orchestra, the performance and dancing area for actors and chorus, which was utilized by Greek theater to inform audiences of what happens “off stage.” (i.e. no murders or suicides were shown; instead, a messenger would inform the characters of the news).
lighting is used to show the illusion of time, highlight an action, or emphasize an event or character. Lighting is more complicated today than it was in ancient times because plays used to be shown only outside.
costumes are used to portray age, class, profession or ethnic culture.

structure – The way a play is organized into sections. Most plays are divided into acts and scenes. Ancient Greek drama did not use acts and scenes but had a system of divisions which were:

prologue (exposition) – the introductory speech given to the audience at the beginning of the play.
paradox (entry of chorus) – the paradox is the song chanted by the chorus on their entry. Their song is usually about the action of the play and helps to build emotion in the audience.
episodes – modern drama would call these scenes, or acts. There are usually four or five episodes. Each episode consists of dialogue and action that takes place in one location at one time. Each is separated by a choric interlude, or the strophe and antistrophe .
strophe and antistrophe – these are terms that describe the chorus’ movement from one side of the stage to the other. For the strophe, they are on one side of the stage, and for the antistrophe, they move to the other. When the chorus speaks outside of these interludes, directly with the characters, their lines are said by only one member of the chorus, their leader (Miller 38).
exodus – the final scene and resolution.
moral qualities
physical presence

Qualities of a person may be either physical and superficial (external) or psychological and spiritual (internal). Characters can possess both types of traits. External characteristics (characteristics that flat, one-dimensional characters possess):

physical appearance
physical nature
manner of speech and accent
manner of dress
social status
community interests

Internal characteristics (characters that round, multidimensional characters possess):

Types of Characters:

protagonist – the main character of a play, the one who is the center of the action and holds your attention.
In Shakespeare’s play, Othello, Othello is the protagonist and Iago are the antagonists (Desdemona can also be considered to be a protagonist).
In the fairy tale and movie, Cinderella, Cinderella is the protagonist and her wicked step mother is the antagonist.
foil – the character that acts as the butt of the jokes. Also, a character used to show contrast with the main character.
In Othello, Desdemona’s nurse acts as her confidant.
In Cinderella, the friendly mice serve as Cinderella’s confidants.
stock characters – superficial roles. (Ex: comic, victim, simpleton/fool, braggart, pretender).
theme – the central purpose or message of the play as developed by the playwright (i.e. the playwright’s message for the audience).

dramatic irony – the contrast between what the character thinks the truth is and what the audience knows the truth to be. This occurs when the speaker fails to recognize the irony of his actions. For example, if the speaker were to put a curse on the murderer without realizing that he himself is the murderer, then he would have unwittingly cursed himself. Example: In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus places a curse on the murderer of Laios, not realizing that he was that murderer. Since the audience has information of which Othello is ignorant, they recognize the significance of Othello’s actions, while he does not.

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Definition of Drama

Types of drama, american drama and the postmodernism, dramatic sentences – use of drama in sentences, examples of drama in literature, example #1: much ado about nothing (by william shakespeare), example #2: oedipus rex (by sophocles), example #3: the importance of being earnest (by oscar wilde), example #4: the heiress (by henry james), function of drama, synonyms of drama, post navigation.

What is Creative Writing? Definition, Types, and How to Get Started

Discover all that creative writing has to offer and begin your journey as a creative writer.

By Julie Tyler

Creative writing definition

Creative writing refers to a broad range of texts that draw upon writers' creativity (as the term suggests), facility with words, emotional depth, and intellectual rigor to convey meaning. Creative writing is also an area of study and college major at many colleges and universities.

Creative writing is, by nature, an artistic expression, characterized by originality, invention, imagination, and inspiration. Creative writers use language as their primary medium, putting words together in new ways and using literary devices like symbolism or foreshadowing, to create original works. As we'll explore further down, creative writing encompasses fiction, poetry, nonfiction, drama, and even hybrid forms.

Exceptional pieces of creative writing are considered literature and often appear on reading lists for students of all ages, from elementary to graduate school. While opinions vary on what makes something a work of literature, there are some qualities that many people associate with literary value, including the innovative use of language, universal themes, cultural and historical significance, and a timeless take on the human condition.

What is the purpose of creative writing?

Creative writing serves several purposes, depending on a writer's intentions. As a writer, you could set out to:

Entertain and enlighten readers
Evoke emotions in the reader and challenge them intellectually
It can explore history, culture, or politics
Draw attention to the power and beauty of language
Offer fresh perspectives on life
Express a range of ideas
Connect with readers and foster a shared love of reading

To achieve these goals, you would need to learn how to write skillfully in your genre, gather feedback from experienced writers and writing teachers, and find a publishing route that gets your work into readers' hands.

Types of creative writing

Many types, forms, and styles of writing can be considered creative , from novels that tell fictional stories across 300 pages, to poems that consist of a few words. There are five main categories of creative writing: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, drama, and hybrid forms.

Creative writing typically excludes professional, academic, and technical writing, factual reporting, as well as documents you might generate at work to communicate with colleagues.

Genres like investigative journalism, marketing or sales content, social media content may often exhibit the writers' creativity, even though these genres are not traditionally included in creative writing.

Let's explore the four main categories of creative writing in more depth:

Fiction

Fiction refers to imaginative storytelling. In any story, there is at least one main character (protagonist) who undergoes a transformative experience or journey. In the first few pages, the reader invests in the character's predicament and keeps turning pages to find out what the character does and how the story will turn out in the end.

Fiction can be realistic, in that the characters and situations resemble real life, or contain fantastical, supernatural, or futuristic elements that ask readers to explore the idea of a world that doesn't exist. What distinguishes fiction from nonfiction is the fact that it's not strictly based on fact.

Popular genres of fiction include:

Mystery and suspense
Sci-Fi and fantasy
Thrillers and horror
Women's fiction
Literary fiction
Young adult (YA) and middle grade (MG)

Works of fiction vary in length. Here are some typical word counts, according to data compiled from a 2024 WorldMetrics report [ 1 ]:

Novels fall between 70,000 and 90,000 words.
Novelas range from 20,000 and 50,000 words.
Short stories typically range from 1,000 to 8,000 words.
Flash fiction is less than 1,000 words.
Micro-fiction is 100 words or less.

Famous examples of fiction: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis."

Poetry

Poetry is a highly distinct form of creative writing that comes in many forms and often defies strict rules. This freedom and versatility allow poets to experiment with different approaches to express their ideas in original and even usual ways. In free verse , for example, poems don't have to follow a rhythm or rhyme scheme and can resemble the cadence and flow of natural speech.

Some of the features that set poetry apart from prose include:

Unique forms and structures. Line lengths, rhyme schemes, and visual layouts can convey meaning, in addition to the actual words in a poem.
Brevity and efficiency of language. Poetry uses fewer words than prose, requiring poets to choose words carefully and pack a lot of meaning into less volume.
Figurative language. Images, metaphors, and symbols can enliven language and evoke emotions.

NOTE: Epic poems, such as Beowulf , The Iliad and Odessey , and Paradise Lost, can be roughly the size of a novel and tell stories, but are written in verse rather than prose.

Even with poetry's freedom and versatility, there are several specific poetic forms that do adhere to certain parameters. For example, a haiku consists of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third, while a sonnet consists of 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme.

Famous examples of poetry: Ezra Pound's "In a Station of the Metro" and Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven.

Drama is a form of creative writing that is meant for stage, screen, or radio performances. A dramatic work is called a play, screenplay, or script. Like fiction, dramatic works tell stories about characters in various predicaments. It's important to note that the script is not the "end product." Although scripts for movies, plays, or radio performances are fun to read on their own, they serve mainly as reference documents that directors, actors, designers, and filmmakers use to bring stories to life on set.

Scripts vary in their structures and formats, several features are common to most, including:

Dialogue, indicating what characters say, to whom, and when
Stage directions, describing characters' movements, costumes, sets, lighting, and sound
Acts and scenes, providing a clear structure and pace for the story's action
Storytelling elements, like tension, conflict and character development, to draw the audience in

Famous dramatic works: Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf , and David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross , both written for stage and adapted to film.

Creative nonfiction

Creative nonfiction uses literary techniques and styles to present true accounts of events or factual information about a topic. Oftentimes, creative nonfiction has strong narrative elements, as in the case of a memoir, and can read like fiction, while exhibiting journalism's commitment to the truth.

Genres include:

Biography, a narrative about a person's life written by someone else
Autobiography, a comprehensive narrative about the author's life
Memoir, a narrative about a particular aspect of the author's life
Self-help or inspirational books , offering advice or wisdom about a topic, often with illustrative examples, that readers can apply to their own lives
Personal essay, a short work of autobiography that may include instructions or a takeaway beyond the narrative elements
Blogging, online content published that reflects the author's personal style and interests and employs literary techniques to engage audiences

Many authors of creative nonfiction conduct extensive research into their topics or draw upon personal experience in order to educate readers, while offering a compelling reading experience.

Examples of creative nonfiction: Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Jeannette Walls's The Glass Castle.

Hybrid forms

Hybrid forms of creative writing combine two or more genres or writing with other media in order to push the boundaries of what's possible on the page. For example, graphic novels and comic books combine storytelling with visual artwork, while digital interactive literature allows readers to choose their own adventure through a story by clicking hypertext.

Other possibilities include:

Poems printed on subway doors.
Novels that features other forms such as postcards, photos, letters, and marginal notes.
Collages that piece together scraps of writing from diverse sources to create new meaning.

As a creative writer, you can combine traditional writing with new technologies, media, and art forms to engage readers in fresh, unexpected ways.

Hybrid creative writing examples: Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and Art Spiegelman's Maus .

Benefits of creative writing

Creative writing offers many rewards to writers and readers alike, as well as to society at large. As a writer, you can express your ideas in a variety of ways, create an outlet for your creativity, and even launch a writing career .

In encountering creative works, readers can feel inspired and entertained, while gaining exposure to different viewpoints and ways of life.

Society benefits from creative writing, particularly from works that are culturally and historically significant, call for social change, and motivate communities to take action .

How to start creative writing

Getting your start in creative writing is an exciting endeavor, given all the options you have and the benefits you can enjoy. The beginning of the journey is often full of inspiration, as well as questions about the best place to start and how to write your best work.

This guide will walk you through five strategies for getting started with confidence and see your ideas take shape on the page:

1. Explore the creative writing possibilities.

Spend some time investigating your options in creative writing, including the styles and categories that most interest you, the different techniques you can practice, and what it feels like to express your ideas in writing. Understanding the full scope of what's possible gives you the freedom to choose the best creative path for you. For example, you might start out writing poetry and later discover that you are truly a storyteller with a whole book (or several!) inside you.

A few ways to explore possibilities include reading extensively across genres, searching the internet for more information about creative writing, and using writing prompts .

2. Invest in basic creative writing tools.

To get words on paper and unlock your creativity, you'll need tools that you enjoy using and that offer several key functions. At the most basic, you'll need a notebook and writing utensil. Writing by hand can be a fulfilling experience, in that you can feel the sensations of your hand holding a pen and hear the scribbling sounds of words appearing. You can also thumb through the pages of your notebook, unlike writing in electronic files, and see a tangible record of your ideas

Eventually, however, you will likely find it useful to invest in a laptop or tablet or install writing software and productivity apps on devices you already have. Keeping digital files of your writing makes it easier to organize your work and revise it directly in the electronic documents.

3. Take creative writing classes.

You can find creative writing classes that focus on a variety of topics and techniques, like storytelling, poetry, screenwriting, developing characters, writing outlines, and more. Taking classes in creative classes, whether in person or online, is a valuable early step in starting your creative writing journey. You gain experience with the latest techniques in a given genre and have access to an experienced instructor who can guide you through different exercises and answer your questions.

There are also plenty of self-study online courses that allow you to learn in private at your own pace.

To choose the right class or course for you, read the descriptions carefully, particularly what you'll learn and the outcomes you can anticipate, to make sure you are working toward your writing goals.

4. Establish a writing habit.

Writing consistently is what helps you to build skills and complete projects you may have in mind. Set aside time each week, such as every evening after dinner or every Saturday morning, to create a routine you can rely on. Always have a goal for each writing session, such as:

Practice a new technique.
Finish the story you're working on.
Revise three of your best poems.

The more consistent you practice and learn writing, the better and more sophisticated your work will become.

Learn more about the writing process and its importance HERE .

1. WorldMetrics. "WorldMetrics Report 2024: Average Novel Length Statistics," https://worldmetrics.org/average-novel-length/ .

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What is Drama? Definition, Examples of Drama as a Literary Term

Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is Drama? Definition, Examples of Drama as a Literary Term

Drama definition in literature: A drama is defined as a piece of literature of which the intended purpose is to be performed in front of an audience.

What is Drama in Literature?

Drama meaning: A drama is a type of literature that is written for the purpose of being performed in front of an audience. This type of writing is written in the form of a script, and the story is told through the lines of the characters played by actors.

Example of Drama

The television show Grey’s Anatomy is considered to be a genre. This show is written with the intended purpose of actors performing the lines for their viewing audience.

Types of Drama in Literature

Comedy : A comedy is a type of drama that is written to be entertaining or amusing for the audience.

The television show Seinfeld is considered a comedy. This sitcom follows the lives of four friends and the humorous situations they encounter together.

Tragedy : A tragedy is a type of drama that can be described as serious in nature and often includes a catastrophic ending.

William Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet is an example of a tragedy. In this play, two young children fall in love and feel the need to hide this from their parents due to their feuding families. However, their rash thinking leads them to their ultimate deaths.

Farce : A farce is a subcategory of comedy. Theses low comedies include ridiculous and slapstick comedic situations in order to create humor for the audience.

The movie Dumb and Dumber is an example of a farce. This movie follows the story of two caricatures on a mission to return a briefcase to a beautiful lady. Throughout the film the two encounter several ridiculous and crude situations.

Melodrama : While it originally referred to dramas that included accompanying music, melodramas now refer to plays that include highly emotional situations in order to play on the feelings of the audience.

The play Les parents terribles by Jean Cocteau is an example of a melodrama that involves several layers of over dramatic situations including cheating and suicide.

Musical Drama : Musical dramas refer to plays in which characters engage in dialogue but also include scenes in which the passion of the character is so great he expresses himself in song.

Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera is a well-known example of a musical drama that tells the story of obsession.

The Function of Drama

Dramas serve the function of entertainment for the audience. While reading a story is powerful, watching the story be performed by actors adds a level of realism to the work. In the age of binge watching, many people enjoy spending leisure time watching dramas specifically in the forms of movies or television.

Summary: What is a Drama in Literature?

Define drama in literature: In summation, a drama is a work of literature written for the intended purpose of being performed for an audience. Dramas are written in the form of a script and actors perform interpretations of the characters involved in order to tell the story the viewers versus reading a story in novel form.

Final Example:

The hit Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, is an example of a musical drama. In this popular play and movie, viewers are taken through the story of high school love between two teens who are completely opposite outside the love they share for each other.

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Last updated on Feb 14, 2023

10 Types of Creative Writing (with Examples You’ll Love)

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Savannah Cordova

Savannah is a senior editor with Reedsy and a published writer whose work has appeared on Slate, Kirkus, and BookTrib. Her short fiction has appeared in the Owl Canyon Press anthology, "No Bars and a Dead Battery".

About Rebecca van Laer

Rebecca van Laer is a writer, editor, and the author of two books, including the novella How to Adjust to the Dark. Her work has been featured in literary magazines such as AGNI, Breadcrumbs, and TriQuarterly.

A lot falls under the term ‘creative writing’: poetry, short fiction, plays, novels, personal essays, and songs, to name just a few. By virtue of the creativity that characterizes it, creative writing is an extremely versatile art. So instead of defining what creative writing is , it may be easier to understand what it does by looking at examples that demonstrate the sheer range of styles and genres under its vast umbrella.

To that end, we’ve collected a non-exhaustive list of works across multiple formats that have inspired the writers here at Reedsy. With 20 different works to explore, we hope they will inspire you, too.

People have been writing creatively for almost as long as we have been able to hold pens. Just think of long-form epic poems like The Odyssey or, later, the Cantar de Mio Cid — some of the earliest recorded writings of their kind.

Poetry is also a great place to start if you want to dip your own pen into the inkwell of creative writing. It can be as short or long as you want (you don’t have to write an epic of Homeric proportions), encourages you to build your observation skills, and often speaks from a single point of view .

Here are a few examples:

“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.

The ruins of pillars and walls with the broken statue of a man in the center set against a bright blue sky.

This classic poem by Romantic poet Percy Shelley (also known as Mary Shelley’s husband) is all about legacy. What do we leave behind? How will we be remembered? The great king Ozymandias built himself a massive statue, proclaiming his might, but the irony is that his statue doesn’t survive the ravages of time. By framing this poem as told to him by a “traveller from an antique land,” Shelley effectively turns this into a story. Along with the careful use of juxtaposition to create irony, this poem accomplishes a lot in just a few lines.

“Trying to Raise the Dead” by Dorianne Laux

A direction. An object. My love, it needs a place to rest. Say anything. I’m listening. I’m ready to believe. Even lies, I don’t care.

Poetry is cherished for its ability to evoke strong emotions from the reader using very few words which is exactly what Dorianne Laux does in “ Trying to Raise the Dead .” With vivid imagery that underscores the painful yearning of the narrator, she transports us to a private nighttime scene as the narrator sneaks away from a party to pray to someone they’ve lost. We ache for their loss and how badly they want their lost loved one to acknowledge them in some way. It’s truly a masterclass on how writing can be used to portray emotions.

If you find yourself inspired to try out some poetry — and maybe even get it published — check out these poetry layouts that can elevate your verse!

Song Lyrics

Poetry’s closely related cousin, song lyrics are another great way to flex your creative writing muscles. You not only have to find the perfect rhyme scheme but also match it to the rhythm of the music. This can be a great challenge for an experienced poet or the musically inclined.

To see how music can add something extra to your poetry, check out these two examples:

“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

You say I took the name in vain I don't even know the name But if I did, well, really, what's it to ya? There's a blaze of light in every word It doesn't matter which you heard The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Metaphors are commonplace in almost every kind of creative writing, but will often take center stage in shorter works like poetry and songs. At the slightest mention, they invite the listener to bring their emotional or cultural experience to the piece, allowing the writer to express more with fewer words while also giving it a deeper meaning. If a whole song is couched in metaphor, you might even be able to find multiple meanings to it, like in Leonard Cohen’s “ Hallelujah .” While Cohen’s Biblical references create a song that, on the surface, seems like it’s about a struggle with religion, the ambiguity of the lyrics has allowed it to be seen as a song about a complicated romantic relationship.

“I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie

If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark

You can think of song lyrics as poetry set to music. They manage to do many of the same things their literary counterparts do — including tugging on your heartstrings. Death Cab for Cutie’s incredibly popular indie rock ballad is about the singer’s deep devotion to his lover. While some might find the song a bit too dark and macabre, its melancholy tune and poignant lyrics remind us that love can endure beyond death.

Plays and Screenplays

From the short form of poetry, we move into the world of drama — also known as the play. This form is as old as the poem, stretching back to the works of ancient Greek playwrights like Sophocles, who adapted the myths of their day into dramatic form. The stage play (and the more modern screenplay) gives the words on the page a literal human voice, bringing life to a story and its characters entirely through dialogue.

Interested to see what that looks like? Take a look at these examples:

All My Sons by Arthur Miller

“I know you're no worse than most men but I thought you were better. I never saw you as a man. I saw you as my father.”

Arthur Miller acts as a bridge between the classic and the new, creating 20th century tragedies that take place in living rooms and backyard instead of royal courts, so we had to include his breakout hit on this list. Set in the backyard of an all-American family in the summer of 1946, this tragedy manages to communicate family tensions in an unimaginable scale, building up to an intense climax reminiscent of classical drama.

💡 Read more about Arthur Miller and classical influences in our breakdown of Freytag’s pyramid .

“Everything is Fine” by Michael Schur ( The Good Place )

“Well, then this system sucks. What...one in a million gets to live in paradise and everyone else is tortured for eternity? Come on! I mean, I wasn't freaking Gandhi, but I was okay. I was a medium person. I should get to spend eternity in a medium place! Like Cincinnati. Everyone who wasn't perfect but wasn't terrible should get to spend eternity in Cincinnati.”

A screenplay, especially a TV pilot, is like a mini-play, but with the extra job of convincing an audience that they want to watch a hundred more episodes of the show. Blending moral philosophy with comedy, The Good Place is a fun hang-out show set in the afterlife that asks some big questions about what it means to be good.

It follows Eleanor Shellstrop, an incredibly imperfect woman from Arizona who wakes up in ‘The Good Place’ and realizes that there’s been a cosmic mixup. Determined not to lose her place in paradise, she recruits her “soulmate,” a former ethics professor, to teach her philosophy with the hope that she can learn to be a good person and keep up her charade of being an upstanding citizen. The pilot does a superb job of setting up the stakes, the story, and the characters, while smuggling in deep philosophical ideas.

Personal essays

Our first foray into nonfiction on this list is the personal essay. As its name suggests, these stories are in some way autobiographical — concerned with the author’s life and experiences. But don’t be fooled by the realistic component. These essays can take any shape or form, from comics to diary entries to recipes and anything else you can imagine. Typically zeroing in on a single issue, they allow you to explore your life and prove that the personal can be universal.

Here are a couple of fantastic examples:

“On Selling Your First Novel After 11 Years” by Min Jin Lee (Literary Hub)

There was so much to learn and practice, but I began to see the prose in verse and the verse in prose. Patterns surfaced in poems, stories, and plays. There was music in sentences and paragraphs. I could hear the silences in a sentence. All this schooling was like getting x-ray vision and animal-like hearing.

This deeply honest personal essay by Pachinko author Min Jin Lee is an account of her eleven-year struggle to publish her first novel . Like all good writing, it is intensely focused on personal emotional details. While grounded in the specifics of the author's personal journey, it embodies an experience that is absolutely universal: that of difficulty and adversity met by eventual success.

“A Cyclist on the English Landscape” by Roff Smith (New York Times)

These images, though, aren’t meant to be about me. They’re meant to represent a cyclist on the landscape, anybody — you, perhaps.

Roff Smith’s gorgeous photo essay for the NYT is a testament to the power of creatively combining visuals with text. Here, photographs of Smith atop a bike are far from simply ornamental. They’re integral to the ruminative mood of the essay, as essential as the writing. Though Smith places his work at the crosscurrents of various aesthetic influences (such as the painter Edward Hopper), what stands out the most in this taciturn, thoughtful piece of writing is his use of the second person to address the reader directly. Suddenly, the writer steps out of the body of the essay and makes eye contact with the reader. The reader is now part of the story as a second character, finally entering the picture.

Short Fiction

The short story is the happy medium of fiction writing. These bite-sized narratives can be devoured in a single sitting and still leave you reeling. Sometimes viewed as a stepping stone to novel writing, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Short story writing is an art all its own. The limited length means every word counts and there’s no better way to see that than with these two examples:

“An MFA Story” by Paul Dalla Rosa (Electric Literature)

At Starbucks, I remembered a reading Zhen had given, a reading organized by the program’s faculty. I had not wanted to go but did. In the bar, he read, "I wrote this in a Starbucks in Shanghai. On the bank of the Huangpu." It wasn’t an aside or introduction. It was two lines of the poem. I was in a Starbucks and I wasn’t writing any poems. I wasn’t writing anything.

Creative Writing Examples | Photograph of New York City street.

This short story is a delightfully metafictional tale about the struggles of being a writer in New York. From paying the bills to facing criticism in a writing workshop and envying more productive writers, Paul Dalla Rosa’s story is a clever satire of the tribulations involved in the writing profession, and all the contradictions embodied by systemic creativity (as famously laid out in Mark McGurl’s The Program Era ). What’s more, this story is an excellent example of something that often happens in creative writing: a writer casting light on the private thoughts or moments of doubt we don’t admit to or openly talk about.

“Flowering Walrus” by Scott Skinner (Reedsy)

I tell him they’d been there a month at least, and he looks concerned. He has my tongue on a tissue paper and is gripping its sides with his pointer and thumb. My tongue has never spent much time outside of my mouth, and I imagine it as a walrus basking in the rays of the dental light. My walrus is not well.

A winner of Reedsy’s weekly Prompts writing contest, ‘ Flowering Walrus ’ is a story that balances the trivial and the serious well. In the pauses between its excellent, natural dialogue , the story manages to scatter the fear and sadness of bad medical news, as the protagonist hides his worries from his wife and daughter. Rich in subtext, these silences grow and resonate with the readers.

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Perhaps the thing that first comes to mind when talking about creative writing, novels are a form of fiction that many people know and love but writers sometimes find intimidating. The good news is that novels are nothing but one word put after another, like any other piece of writing, but expanded and put into a flowing narrative. Piece of cake, right?

To get an idea of the format’s breadth of scope, take a look at these two (very different) satirical novels:

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

I wished I was back in the convenience store where I was valued as a working member of staff and things weren’t as complicated as this. Once we donned our uniforms, we were all equals regardless of gender, age, or nationality — all simply store workers.

Creative Writing Examples | Book cover of Convenience Store Woman

Keiko, a thirty-six-year-old convenience store employee, finds comfort and happiness in the strict, uneventful routine of the shop’s daily operations. A funny, satirical, but simultaneously unnerving examination of the social structures we take for granted, Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman is deeply original and lingers with the reader long after they’ve put it down.

Erasure by Percival Everett

The hard, gritty truth of the matter is that I hardly ever think about race. Those times when I did think about it a lot I did so because of my guilt for not thinking about it.

Erasure is a truly accomplished satire of the publishing industry’s tendency to essentialize African American authors and their writing. Everett’s protagonist is a writer whose work doesn’t fit with what publishers expect from him — work that describes the “African American experience” — so he writes a parody novel about life in the ghetto. The publishers go crazy for it and, to the protagonist’s horror, it becomes the next big thing. This sophisticated novel is both ironic and tender, leaving its readers with much food for thought.

Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction is pretty broad: it applies to anything that does not claim to be fictional (although the rise of autofiction has definitely blurred the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction). It encompasses everything from personal essays and memoirs to humor writing, and they range in length from blog posts to full-length books. The defining characteristic of this massive genre is that it takes the world or the author’s experience and turns it into a narrative that a reader can follow along with.

Here, we want to focus on novel-length works that dig deep into their respective topics. While very different, these two examples truly show the breadth and depth of possibility of creative nonfiction:

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

Men’s bodies litter my family history. The pain of the women they left behind pulls them from the beyond, makes them appear as ghosts. In death, they transcend the circumstances of this place that I love and hate all at once and become supernatural.

Writer Jesmyn Ward recounts the deaths of five men from her rural Mississippi community in as many years. In her award-winning memoir , she delves into the lives of the friends and family she lost and tries to find some sense among the tragedy. Working backwards across five years, she questions why this had to happen over and over again, and slowly unveils the long history of racism and poverty that rules rural Black communities. Moving and emotionally raw, Men We Reaped is an indictment of a cruel system and the story of a woman's grief and rage as she tries to navigate it.

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

He believed that wine could reshape someone’s life. That’s why he preferred buying bottles to splurging on sweaters. Sweaters were things. Bottles of wine, said Morgan, “are ways that my humanity will be changed.”

In this work of immersive journalism , Bianca Bosker leaves behind her life as a tech journalist to explore the world of wine. Becoming a “cork dork” takes her everywhere from New York’s most refined restaurants to science labs while she learns what it takes to be a sommelier and a true wine obsessive. This funny and entertaining trip through the past and present of wine-making and tasting is sure to leave you better informed and wishing you, too, could leave your life behind for one devoted to wine.

Illustrated Narratives (Comics, graphic novels)

Once relegated to the “funny pages”, the past forty years of comics history have proven it to be a serious medium. Comics have transformed from the early days of Jack Kirby’s superheroes into a medium where almost every genre is represented. Humorous one-shots in the Sunday papers stand alongside illustrated memoirs, horror, fantasy, and just about anything else you can imagine. This type of visual storytelling lets the writer and artist get creative with perspective, tone, and so much more. For two very different, though equally entertaining, examples, check these out:

Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson

"Life is like topography, Hobbes. There are summits of happiness and success, flat stretches of boring routine and valleys of frustration and failure."

A Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. A little blond boy Calvin makes multiple silly faces in school photos. In the last panel, his father says, "That's our son. *Sigh*" His mother then says, "The pictures will remind of more than we want to remember."

This beloved comic strip follows Calvin, a rambunctious six-year-old boy, and his stuffed tiger/imaginary friend, Hobbes. They get into all kinds of hijinks at school and at home, and muse on the world in the way only a six-year-old and an anthropomorphic tiger can. As laugh-out-loud funny as it is, Calvin & Hobbes ’ popularity persists as much for its whimsy as its use of humor to comment on life, childhood, adulthood, and everything in between.

From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell

"I shall tell you where we are. We're in the most extreme and utter region of the human mind. A dim, subconscious underworld. A radiant abyss where men meet themselves. Hell, Netley. We're in Hell."

Comics aren't just the realm of superheroes and one-joke strips, as Alan Moore proves in this serialized graphic novel released between 1989 and 1998. A meticulously researched alternative history of Victorian London’s Ripper killings, this macabre story pulls no punches. Fact and fiction blend into a world where the Royal Family is involved in a dark conspiracy and Freemasons lurk on the sidelines. It’s a surreal mad-cap adventure that’s unsettling in the best way possible.

Video Games and RPGs

Probably the least expected entry on this list, we thought that video games and RPGs also deserved a mention — and some well-earned recognition for the intricate storytelling that goes into creating them.

Essentially gamified adventure stories, without attention to plot, characters, and a narrative arc, these games would lose a lot of their charm, so let’s look at two examples where the creative writing really shines through:

80 Days by inkle studios

"It was a triumph of invention over nature, and will almost certainly disappear into the dust once more in the next fifty years."

Named Time Magazine ’s game of the year in 2014, this narrative adventure is based on Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. The player is cast as the novel’s narrator, Passpartout, and tasked with circumnavigating the globe in service of their employer, Phileas Fogg. Set in an alternate steampunk Victorian era, the game uses its globe-trotting to comment on the colonialist fantasies inherent in the original novel and its time period. On a storytelling level, the choose-your-own-adventure style means no two players’ journeys will be the same. This innovative approach to a classic novel shows the potential of video games as a storytelling medium, truly making the player part of the story.

What Remains of Edith Finch by Giant Sparrow

"If we lived forever, maybe we'd have time to understand things. But as it is, I think the best we can do is try to open our eyes, and appreciate how strange and brief all of this is."

This video game casts the player as 17-year-old Edith Finch. Returning to her family’s home on an island in the Pacific northwest, Edith explores the vast house and tries to figure out why she’s the only one of her family left alive. The story of each family member is revealed as you make your way through the house, slowly unpacking the tragic fate of the Finches. Eerie and immersive, this first-person exploration game uses the medium to tell a series of truly unique tales.

Fun and breezy on the surface, humor is often recognized as one of the trickiest forms of creative writing. After all, while you can see the artistic value in a piece of prose that you don’t necessarily enjoy, if a joke isn’t funny, you could say that it’s objectively failed.

With that said, it’s far from an impossible task, and many have succeeded in bringing smiles to their readers’ faces through their writing. Here are two examples:

‘How You Hope Your Extended Family Will React When You Explain Your Job to Them’ by Mike Lacher (McSweeney’s Internet Tendency)

“Is it true you don’t have desks?” your grandmother will ask. You will nod again and crack open a can of Country Time Lemonade. “My stars,” she will say, “it must be so wonderful to not have a traditional office and instead share a bistro-esque coworking space.”

An open plan office seen from a bird's eye view. There are multiple strands of Edison lights hanging from the ceiling. At long light wooden tables multiple people sit working at computers, many of them wearing headphones.

Satire and parody make up a whole subgenre of creative writing, and websites like McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and The Onion consistently hit the mark with their parodies of magazine publishing and news media. This particular example finds humor in the divide between traditional family expectations and contemporary, ‘trendy’ work cultures. Playing on the inherent silliness of today’s tech-forward middle-class jobs, this witty piece imagines a scenario where the writer’s family fully understands what they do — and are enthralled to hear more. “‘Now is it true,’ your uncle will whisper, ‘that you’ve got a potential investment from one of the founders of I Can Haz Cheezburger?’”

‘Not a Foodie’ by Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell (Electric Literature)

I’m not a foodie, I never have been, and I know, in my heart, I never will be.

Highlighting what she sees as an unbearable social obsession with food , in this comic Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell takes a hilarious stand against the importance of food. From the writer’s courageous thesis (“I think there are more exciting things to talk about, and focus on in life, than what’s for dinner”) to the amusing appearance of family members and the narrator’s partner, ‘Not a Foodie’ demonstrates that even a seemingly mundane pet peeve can be approached creatively — and even reveal something profound about life.

We hope this list inspires you with your own writing. If there’s one thing you take away from this post, let it be that there is no limit to what you can write about or how you can write about it.

In the next part of this guide, we'll drill down into the fascinating world of creative nonfiction.

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ENG 125 & 126 - Creative Writing: Drama

Short Fiction
Long Fiction
Non-fiction
Research Process

Drama Defined

Definition: A prose or verse composition, especially one telling a serious story, that is intended for representation by actors impersonating the characters and performing the dialogue and action.

Elements:

Structure -- This deals with how to setup the beginning, middle and end of a play and is even more crucial in drama than any other genre of writing.
Characters -- People will act out the story on stage. Characters should be well-developed and not appear as stereotypes.
Dialogue -- This is crucial in plays because everything happens through the spoken word.
Theme -- Plays often deal with universal themes which encourage discussion of ideas.
Production -- Costumes, props and lighting are some of the necessary items for putting on a play.

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Search our Card Catalog to find videos housed in the Library-IC collection.

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Last Updated: Sep 3, 2024 4:55 PM
URL: https://libguides.rccc.edu/creative

101 Drama Story Ideas to Fuel Your Creativity

Whether you're suffering from writer's block, looking for a great drama to craft into a television series, or want to get your creative juices flowing, this blog post with 101 drama story ideas is for you.

From estranged family stories to heart-wrenching tales of world wars and ancient societies, I've got many concepts that will send a rush of inspiration to fill your blank page.

Drama Story Ideas

High school and middle school drama stories.

The Life Swap : A popular girl and a nerd switch live for a week, discovering that each other's everyday life is not as glamorous or dull as they thought.

Cyber Scandal : The main character stumbles upon a dark secret about their school's popular kid, resulting in a whirlpool of consequences.

Sports Rivalry : Two high school teams, each carrying the legacy of their family struggles , face each other in the championship.

Middle School Detective : When a beloved school mascot disappears, a group of middle schoolers finds it unearthing unexpected truths about their school and town .

Teacher's Secret : A young woman working as a teacher at a high school stumbles upon a deep secret about the school's principal.

Short Stories on Family Drama

The Unexpected Reunion : An estranged family reunites after thirty years at the funeral of a familiar friend.

The Old Picture : A family member discovers an old photograph that reveals a family secret, leading to a cascade of family struggles and revelations.

Adoption Tale : A family adopts a stray cat that teaches them the importance of love and unity.

The WHero'so's Return : A family deals with the return of their war hero father, who is not the same man he once was.

The Divorce is a story revolving around a middle schogirl's l's perspective on hparent'st's divorce.

Creative Writing Prompts about Ancient Societies and World War

The Lost Civilization : The main character stumbles upon remnants of an ancient society while on a trek, which leads to the revelation of thefamily's y's past .

The Letters : A young woman finds letters from a soldier to her grandmother during World War II , unraveling a romantic yet tragic story.

Resistance Fighters : Two old friends join a resistance group during the World War , but their friendship is tested when they have to make a grave decision.

TSpy'sy's Child : The son of a World War spy discovers hparents'ts' true identities and their unfinished mission.

The Artifact : A story revolving around an ancient artifact that can change the course of a war and the individuals who want to protect it.

Natural Disaster and Survival Story Ideas

The Flood : A family struggles to survive and stay together during a devastating flood.

After the Quake : A group of high school friends embarks on a journey to find their families after a catastrophic earthquake.

Forest Fire : The story follows a young woman and her dog, who are stranded during a forest fire and their fight for survival.

The Last Winter : In a world where the ice age has returned, survivors try to adapt to their new life.

ThTornado's Child : A baby is found in the aftermath of a tornado, leading to a couple adopting her and her strange connection with storms.

Dramatic Story Ideas about Friendships

The Unseen Bond : Two blind friends help each other navigate the world and face the challenges of real life .

The Betrayal : The fallout of a tight-knit group of friends after one betrays the others for personal gain.

A Friend from the Past : The story of an older man who meets his childhood imaginary friend, making his final days full of fun and comfort.

The Promise : Two best friends promise to meet at their favorite spot after twenty years. What happens when only one shows up?

Separate Ways : Friends promise to meet After high school graduation after ten years. The story starts when they reunite, each carrying thelife'se's successes and failures.

Mystery and Suspense Story Ideas

The Body in the Basement : A main character discovers a dead body in their new home's basement, unraveling the house's dark past.

Forgotten Identity : After waking up from a coma, a woman struggles to remember her past, while mysterious people claim she lived a life she doesn't recall.

Secrets of the Old Manor : An estranged family inherits an old manor, leading to the discovery of hidden passages, secret rooms, and a haunting mystery from their lineage.

The Mysterious Package : A man receives a mysterious package with no return address, sending him on a thrilling chase to discover the sender's identity.

Last Message : The story is about a person receiving a text message from their friend's phone who died a year ago.

Love and Romance Drama Ideas

The Last Letter : A story about a woman who discovers a stack of love letters her late husband wrote but never sent.

High School Sweethearts : A drama revolving around the complications and sweetness of first love and how it shapes the lives of two high school lovers.

Twisted Love : A couple separates after a misunderstanding, only to meet again after a decade. Will they rekindle their love?

Invisible Affection : A girl falls in love with her best friend, who can't see her feelings due to his romantic struggles.

Love in the Time of War : Set in World War II, a soldier, and a nurse find solace and love in each other amidst the horror of war.

Drama Story Ideas from Real Life

Forgotten Heroes : The lives of cleaners, nurses, and grocery workers during a pandemic, portraying their challenges and unsung heroism.

The Neighborhood is a story about a diverse neighborhood and each household's unique life behind its doors.

Homeless, not Hopeless : An inspiring tale of a homeless man who changes his life with determination and help from a kind stranger.

The Survivor : The life of a woman who escaped a hostage situation and her journey to healing and helping others.

The Weight of the Crown : A drama about a newly crowned young queen's challenges, struggles, and triumphs.

Other Genres - Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Horror Drama Ideas

The Stranded Astronaut is a dramatic story of an astronaut stranded on a distant planet and his struggle for survival.

The Last Dragon : The story of a young woman who discovers the last dragon, setting her on a quest to save the creature and her kingdom.

The Cursed Town is a horror drama about a town where the sun never rises, and its inhabitants struggle to break the curse .

The Imaginary Friend : A drama about a girl whose imaginary friend starts to appear natural and cause havoc.

The Time Traveler's Dilemma : A time traveler changes a small event in the past, altering the future drastically.

Drama Story Ideas about Childhood and Growing Up

The Monster Under the Bed : A story from the monster's perspective, which is more afraid of the child than the child is of it.

The Last Summer : A tale about a group of friends spending their last summer together before they all go their separate ways for college.

The Unwanted Gift : A drama about a child who possesses the ability to see future events, causing chaos and fear in her small town.

The Long Way Home : The story of a runaway kid, the people he meets, and the lessons he learns on his journey.

The Secret Garden : A group of children discovers a magical garden in their neighborhood, leading to an unforgettable summer of adventures.

Drama Story Ideas Involving Animals

The Stray : A stray dog brings together an estranged family when they decide to adopt it; unknowingly, their lives start changing for the better.

Paws for Love : A woman and a man, both lonely and desolate, become friends through their shared affection for a dog in the park.

The Circus Elephant : An old, retired circus elephant is adopted by a kind man and his daughter. The elephant turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

Birds of a Feather : A story of two rival birdwatchers who initially despise each other but eventually find common ground and love.

Wild Heart : A horse whisperer tames a rough, rebellious horse, learning more about himself.

Workplace Drama Story Ideas

Office Politics : A story about the cut-throat politics in a corporate office and how it affects the employees' lives.

Kitchen Drama : Behind-the-scenes drama in a high-profile restaurant involving the head chef, his team, and their struggle to maintain their reputation.

The Night Shift : Tales of people working the night shift at a 24-hour convenience store, highlighting their struggles and camaraderie.

The Last Resort : A family-owned resort is about to go bankrupt. The family must band together to save their livelihood.

Startup Blues : A drama that follows the highs and lows of friends who start a tech company.

Coming-of-Age Drama Story Ideas

Golden Summer : The last summer before all friends go to different universities, a memorable time filled with adventure, heartbreak, and self-discovery.

The Scholarship : A young woman from a small town gets a scholarship to a prestigious university in a big city, navigating her new life with its challenges and triumphs.

First Job : A young man's trials and tribulations during his first job, dealing with difficult bosses, workplace crushes, and the stress of adulting.

The Road Trip : A group of friends embarks on a road trip after graduating high school, leading to a journey of self-discovery.

The Decision : A teenager must make a life-altering decision - follow her parents' path or pursue her dreams.

Historical Drama Story Ideas

The Princess Spy : During the medieval era, a princess becomes a spy to protect her kingdom.

The Lost Colony : A drama about the settlers of Roanoke, their struggles, and the mystery of their disappearance.

The Silk Road : A drama set in the ancient Silk Road, depicting the lives of merchants, their travels, adventures, and the cultures they encounter.

Witch Trials : A tale about a woman accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials.

The Unseen Heroine : The untold story of a woman who played a significant role during the American Revolution.

Drama Story Ideas with Twists

Ghost Writer : A famous author dies, but his books are published. The ghostwriter, his biggest fan, continues his legacy.

Reincarnation : A woman starts remembering her past life, leading her to a man she loved in that life, but he's married in this one.

The Guilty Victim : A crime victim turns out to be the perpetrator, leading to a complex drama of motives and deception.

The Other Side : The story is about a man who can interact with ghosts and helps them to complete their unfulfilled wishes.

The Forgotten Art : A poor, unrecognized artist's paintings become valuable after death . His family then fights over his legacy.

Family Drama Story Ideas

The Grand Reunion : A large family comes together for a reunion after many years. Old conflicts resurface, new bonds are formed, and family secrets are revealed.

The Black Sheep : The story revolves around the life of the outcast in a strict, traditional family, their struggles, and eventual acceptance.

An Unexpected Guest : A long-lost family member suddenly arrives, stirring up old emotions and disrupting the family's usual dynamics.

The Legacy : A drama revolving around the dispute of a will within a family after the patriarch's death.

Adoption Secret : Parents deal with the fallout when their adopted child learns the truth about his birth parents.

Post-Apocalyptic Drama Story Ideas

The Lone Survivor : The last person on earth must navigate loneliness and despair while maintaining their sanity.

A New Dawn : Survivors work together to rebuild civilization after a global catastrophe.

The Promise Land : A family sets out on a dangerous journey to reach a rumored haven after their home is destroyed.

Lost in Time : Following a nuclear disaster, a man wakes up from a cryogenic sleep, finding himself in a drastically changed world.

Life in a Bunker : A drama about a group of people living in a bunker after a natural disaster, dealing with claustrophobia, dwindling resources, and societal breakdown.

Supernatural Drama Story Ideas

Gifted : A high school girl discovers she has supernatural abilities and struggles to control her powers while dealing with typical teenage issues.

The Immortal : A man who can't die navigates through the ages, witnessing different eras and historical events while hiding his secret.

Haunted : A family moves into a haunted house, leading to a series of strange occurrences that test their bond.

The Seer : A small-town girl who can see the future and tries to change the town's grim fate she has foreseen.

The Gate : A group of archaeologists opens an ancient gate releasing supernatural creatures into the world.

Inspiring Drama Story Ideas

The Miracle : An atheist doctor performing surgery on a dying patient experiences a divine encounter, changing his perspective on life and death.

The Underdog : A drama revolving around a low-ranked sports team that wins the national championship against all odds.

Second Chance : An ex-convict tries to reintegrate into society and face the challenges and prejudice of his new life.

The Prodigy : A child from a low-income family with extraordinary musical talent struggles to overcome societal barriers to realize her dreams.

The Healer : A woman who can heal people with her touch must keep her powers a secret or risk being exploited.

Futuristic Drama Story Ideas

Mars One : The story of the first colonizers on Mars and their struggles with isolation, alien environment, and homesickness.

The AI Revolution : As artificial intelligence advances, one AI gains consciousness leading to ethical dilemmas and conflict.

Post-Resource World : In a world where natural resources have been depleted, a scientist invents an alternative that can save the world but faces opposition from powerful forces.

Virtual Reality is a drama about people escaping their miserable realities through a virtual world and its implications on their real lives.

The Last City : In a world devastated by climate change, the last city struggles to sustain human life under a protective dome.

The Clone : A woman discovers that she is a clone of a famous deceased scientist and is expected to continue her work, leading to identity issues and a quest for purpose.

Wrapping Up

Creating engaging drama stories can be daunting, especially when staring at a blank page. But with these 101 drama story ideas , you should have plenty of fuel to get your creative juices flowing and start writing. Remember, the most critical aspect of writing is to enjoy the process and let your imagination run wild.

Whether you're creating a short story , a novel, or even a television series, these prompts provide a wide range of settings, characters, and plots for your next project. So, don't wait. Pick up your pen or laptop and transform these ideas into great stories.

Every story is a new journey, a new world waiting to unfold. As a writer, you have the magic to create these worlds and take your readers along. So, whether you're a novice writer searching for your first story idea or an experienced author looking for a new spark of inspiration, these 101 drama story ideas are a treasure trove of potential.

Finally, remember that writing is a craft. It takes patience, dedication, and a love for storytelling. Keep pushing through, and one day you might look back and find that one of these prompts led you down a path to a great drama story.

In conclusion, always keep exploring, keep writing, and, most importantly, keep telling your stories because the world needs more.

Happy writing, folks!

Frequently Asked Questions About Drama Story Ideas (FAQs)

What is a drama story.

A drama story is a genre of fiction that explores emotional and interpersonal conflicts, often portraying realistic characters in dynamic situations. They involve intense character development and delve deeply into the active layers and complexities of the characters.

How do I come up with drama story ideas?

Drama story ideas often stem from real-life experiences or observations. They can be inspired by history, current events, personal emotions, relationships, moral dilemmas, or even other works of fiction. Asking "what if" questions about ordinary situations can lead to compelling drama story ideas.

How can I make my drama story engaging?

To make a drama story engaging, focus on creating believable characters with depth and emotions.

Develop a compelling conflict that your main character must face and overcome. Use tension and emotional highs and lows to keep the reader engaged. Lastly, make sure your story has an emotional payoff or resolution.

How do I create drama in a story?

Drama in a story can be created through conflicts, tension, suspense, unexpected twists, and complex relationships between characters. It's about challenging your characters and pushing their emotional boundaries.

Can drama stories be combined with other genres?

Absolutely! Drama can be combined with any genre, including but not limited to sci-fi, fantasy , romance, historical fiction, crime, and more. The presence of emotionally charged conflicts and developed characters essentially defines a drama.

How can these drama story ideas help me overcome writer's block?

These drama story ideas can provide a starting point for your story, helping to spark your imagination. You can use them as they are or modify them to suit your needs. Sometimes, all it takes to overcome writer's block is a simple idea or a new perspective.

Do I need to follow these drama story ideas precisely as they are?

Not at all! Think of these drama story ideas as springboards for your creativity. You can adapt, combine, or use them to inspire your original story. These ideas will spark your imagination and get your creative juices flowing.

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What Is Drama? Literary Definition and Examples

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In literature, a drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialog (either prose or poetry). Dramas can be performed on stage, on film, or radio. Dramas are typically called plays, and their creators are known as “playwrights” or “dramatists.”

Performed since the days of Aristotle (c. 335 BCE), the term “drama” comes from the Greek words δρᾶμα (an act, a play) and δράω (to act, to take action). The two iconic masks of drama—laughing and crying faces—symbolize two ancient Greek Muses : Thalia, the Muse of comedy, and Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy.

What Makes Drama so Dramatic?

To make their plays dramatic, playwrights strive to progressively build the audience’s feelings of tension and anticipation as the story develops. Dramatic tension builds as the audience keeps wondering “What happens next?” and anticipating the outcomes of those events. In a mystery, dramatic tension builds throughout the plot until an exciting or unanticipated climax is revealed.

Dramatic tension is all about keeping the audience guessing. In the ancient Greek tragedy Oedipus the King , will Oedipus ever figure out that by killing his father and sleeping with his mother he had caused the plague that destroyed his city, and what will he do about it if he does? In Shakespeare’s Hamlet , will Prince Hamlet ever avenge his father’s death and get rid of his pesky ghost and visions of floating daggers by murdering the play’s antagonist Claudius?

Dramas depend heavily on spoken dialogue to keep the audience informed about the characters’ feelings, personalities, motivations, and plans. Since the audience sees characters in a drama living out their experiences without any explanatory comments from the author, playwrights often create dramatic tension by having their characters deliver soliloquies and asides.

Types of Drama

Dramatic performances are generally classified into specific categories according to the mood, tone, and actions depicted in the plot. Some popular types of drama include:

Comedy : Lighter in tone, comedies are intended to make the audience laugh and usually come to a happy ending. Comedies place offbeat characters in unusual situations causing them to do and say funny things. Comedy can also be sarcastic, poking fun at serious topics. There are also several sub-genres of comedy, including romantic comedy , sentimental comedy, comedy of manners, and tragic comedy —plays in which the characters take on tragedy with humor in bringing serious situations to happy endings.
Tragedy : Based on darker themes, tragedies portray serious subjects like death, disaster, and human suffering in a dignified and thought-provoking way. Rarely enjoying happy endings, characters in tragedies, like Shakespeare's Hamlet , are often burdened by tragic character flaws that ultimately lead to their demise.
Farce : Featuring exaggerated or absurd forms of comedy, a farce is a nonsensical genre of drama in which characters intentionally overact and engage in slapstick or physical humor. Examples of farce include the play Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett and the hit 1980 movie Airplane! , written by Jim Abrahams.
Melodrama : An exaggerated form of drama, melodramas depict classic one-dimensional characters such as heroes , heroines , and villains dealing with sensational, romantic, and often perilous situations. Sometimes called “tearjerkers,” examples of melodramas include the play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams and the classic movie of love during the Civil War , Gone With the Wind , based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel.
Opera : This versatile drama genre combines theater, dialogue, music, and dance to tell grand stories of tragedy or comedy. Since characters express their feelings and intentions through song rather than dialogue, performers must be skilled actors and singers. The decidedly tragic La Bohème , by Giacomo Puccini, and the bawdy comedy Falstaff , by Giuseppe Verdi are classic examples of opera.
Docudrama : A relatively new genre, docudramas are dramatic portrayals of historic events or non-fictional situations. More often presented in movies and television than in live theater, popular examples of docudramas include Apollo 13 and 12 Years a Slave , based on the autobiography written by Solomon Northup .

Classic Example of Comedy and Tragedy

Perhaps no two plays better illustrate the juxtaposition of the masks of drama—comedy and tragedy—than these two William Shakespeare classics.

Comedy: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

In his romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream , Shakespeare explores one of his favorite themes—“love conquers all”—with a humorous twist. Due to a series of comical and unpredictable situations, young couples keep falling in and out of love. As they struggle with the foibles of love, their equally amusing real-world problems are magically resolved by a mischievous sprite named Puck . In the Shakespearian happy ending, old enemies become fast friends and the true lovers are united to live happily ever after.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is cited as an example of how playwrights utilize the ageless conflict between love and social convention as a source of humor.

Tragedy: Romeo and Juliet

Young lovers live anything but happily ever after in Shakespeare’s unforgettable tragedy Romeo and Juliet . In what is still one of the most-performed plays in history, the love between Romeo and Juliet is doomed by the raging feud between their families, the Montagues and the Capulets. The night before the star-crossed lovers are secretly married, Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a duel, and Juliet fakes her death to avoid being forced by her parents to marry a family friend. Unaware of Juliet’s plan, Romeo visits her grave and, believing she is dead, kills himself. When she learns of Romeo’s death, Juliet truly does kill herself.

Shakespeare creates heartbreaking dramatic tension in Romeo and Juliet t hrough the technique of switching moods between hope and despair,

Drama Key Terms

Drama: The portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events in theater, film, radio, or television .
Thalia: The Greek Muse of Comedy , depicted as one of the two masks of drama.
Melpomene: The Greek Muse of tragedy, the other mask of drama.
Dramatic tension: The most basic element of drama used to stir the emotions of the audience.
Comedy: The humorous genre of drama intended to keep the audience laughing on the way to the play’s happy ending.
Tragedy: The portrayal of darker subjects like death, disaster, betrayal, and human suffering .
Farce: An over-the-top form of purposely over-acted and exaggerated comedy .
Melodrama: The depiction of simple classic characters like heroes and villains dealing with sensational, romantic, and often perilous situations.
Opera: The artful combination of dialogue , music, and dance to tell grand stories of tragedy or comedy.
Docudrama: Historical or non-fictional events portrayed dramatically.
Banham, Martin, ed. 1998. “The Cambridge Guide to Theatre.” Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-43437-8.
Carlson, Marvin. 1993. “Theories of the Theatre: A Historical and Critical Survey from the Greeks to the Present.” Cornell University Press
Worthen, W.B. “The Wadsworth Anthology of Drama.” Heinle & Heinle, 1999. ISBN-13: 978-0495903239
4 Creative Ways to Analyze Plays
6 Tips for Writing Children's Plays and Scripts
"Cheating Out," "Breaking Curtain," and More Curious Theatre Jargon
Choose the Right Setting for Your Play
Aristotle's Tragedy Terminology
Definition and Theatrical Examples of Memory Plays
How to Read and Enjoy a Dramatic Play
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August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle
Biography of Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian Playwright
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Mrs. Malaprop and the Origin of Malapropisms
Biography of Tennessee Williams, American Playwright

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7 types of drama in literature explained (with examples)

What comes to your mind when the word drama is mentioned? Most people think of something created for theatre, television, or radio. They are correct. There are multiple types of drama, each with unique elements or characteristics. All have a place in modern culture and should be appreciated.

Understanding the various types of drama is important for people who enjoy literature, acting, and other forms of artistic creation. Usually, drama is performed rather than read. Discover more below.

Types of drama: all you need to know

Dramas are normally called plays. Their creators are known as dramatists or playwrights. They have been performed since the days of Aristotle, i.e. around 335 BCE.

What is drama in English literature?

The word drama was derived from the Greek words δρᾶμα and δράω. The first means an act or play, while the latter means to act or take action.

In literature, drama encompasses the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialogue. Through it, stories and events are brought to life by actors on a stage.

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Aristotle, a famous Greek philosopher, defined it as a poetic composition acted in front of audiences in a theatre. Its purpose is to arouse the audience's feelings and purge these emotions, thus making people stronger emotionally. It combines performance, dance, music , and props.

Types of drama in literature

Below is an exploration of the various forms of drama in literature. The elements of drama are scenery and costume, musical score, libretto, characterisation, plot, and thought content. These elements are seen in all types.

Comedy is one of the most popular forms of drama in literature. It aims to make the audience laugh.

Its tone is light, and it almost always has a happy ending. The form started with Aristotle in ancient Greece in the 4th century BCE.

Examples of drama are Noises Off by Michael Frayn and The Simpsons. The latter had a 26-year run. Most characters on the show had hilarious characters.

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In tragedy, the protagonist or hero is brought down by his/her flaws. Murders, pain, deaths, and insanity are among the most common ideas in tragedies. In tragic stories , the main character usually has some weakness or defect that causes their downfall.

The aim of tragedy is to release of certain emotions from the audience. It arouses sensations of pity and fear. Actors leave the theatre with an understanding of the ways of gods and men.

The audience's catharsis comes through witnessing disastrous and moving changes in the fortunes of the protagonist. Examples are Hamlet, Oedipus Rex, Romeo and Juliet , and Julius Caesar .

3. Tragicomedy

Tragicomedy combines the features of tragedy and comedy, e.g., a play can have a sad plot and a happy ending or be serious, with some elements of humour emerging throughout the play.

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Unlike comedy and tragedy, tragicomedy emerged a bit later, in the times of the Roman Empire. Roman dramatist Plautus was the first person to write a tragicomedy .

In his play Amphitryon, he used the lightheartedness of comedy but chose gods and kings as the main characters. He noted that every human being's life features some tragedy and comedy. An example is The Merchant of Venice .

4. Melodrama

Melodrama is a kind of drama in which everything is hyperbolised. Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech.

Usually, themes depicted in melodramas are simple and without any unpredictable plot twists. There are quite a lot of stereotypes in such dramas.

The primary goal of a melodrama is to awaken feelings in the audience. Melodramas are mostly love stories with charming heroes, scary villains, and beautiful heroines.

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Melodrama originated much later than comedy, tragedy, and tragicomedy. It first appeared in France at the end of the 18th century. Examples are All That Heaven Allows by Douglas Sirk and Now Voyager by Olive Higgins Prouty.

Farce is a form of drama that uses absurd forms of comedy, also known as dark humour. Its humour depends more on the character's physical appearance and silly jokes rather than the storyline.

Farce differs from a comedy in that the plot is primarily illogical, and the occurring events are impossible. Examples are Airplane! by Jim Abrahams and Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.

Opera is a staged drama entirely set to music . It is made up of vocal pieces with instrumental accompaniment and usually with orchestral overtures and interludes.

In some operas, the music is continuous throughout an act. In others, it is broken up into discrete pieces separated by spoken dialogue or recitative. Examples are La traviata by Verdi, Carmen by Bizet, and Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) by Mozart.

Most famous trios in popular culture: from history to fiction

Musicals combine songs , spoken dialogue, dance, and acting. It is pretty easy to confuse them with operas. In an opera, the lines are sung, but a musical employs dialogues infused with music performances. Examples are The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady .

What are the elements of drama?

The elements of drama are plot, musical score, scenery and costume, libretto, thought content, and characterisation.

What are the different types of costume in drama?

The main types of costumes in theatre are historical, fantastical, dance, and modern.

How many types of drama are there?

There are seven forms of drama, as explored above.

Understanding the different types of drama is important for all lovers of literature, theatre, and film productions. Drama started as a form of entertainment with the ancient Greeks and has evolved and split into different forms and types.

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Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the 2023 Writer of the Year Award. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: [email protected]

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Inspiring Resources for Creative Drama

Posted by Janine Buesgen | Nov 2, 2018

If you’ve read Creative Drama Basics , maybe you’d like to try some creative drama with your students!

You can start planning by picking a theme – it can be a topic that’s already in your curriculum – and outlining some activities you’d like try.

Once you have a theme, you’ll want to find relevant material to use for the various activities you’re planning.

Conversely, you can use some of this inspirational material as the basis for a creative drama session.

Fairy/Folk Tales/Tall Tales and Myths

Many creative drama sessions use fairy tales, folk tales, or myths as topics, and there are lots of reasons why.

Humans have told stories since the dawn of language. Before we had writing systems, we passed down knowledge and myths orally. These tales became foundations of our cultural heritages, and their various incarnations still resonate today. For the purposes of a creative drama class, the distinctions among myths and fairy, folk, or tall tales aren’t as important as the content of the story itself.

When choosing tales to use in class, look for simple plots, dynamic characters, and a straightforward message. You should be able to read or retell the story in 10 minutes or less. Stories with children as protagonists have great appeal, as do clever characters who outsmart the villains. There are thousands of stories; it’s not difficult to tailor your selections to the personalities in your group. For example, if everyone in the class resists being “the bad guy,” find a story in which there is none! If you have Disney fanatics in your group who can’t “let it go” when it comes to their animated versions of the fairy tales, select pieces that Disney’s never adapted.

You can read the story aloud to the group or learn the story and retell it in your own fashion. Once the group is familiar with the story, they can put themselves into the story with your guidance. Children enjoy acting out stories with humorous people or situations, and usually are willing to play inanimate objects that relate to the plot.

Embrace the creative drama philosophy of “no wrong answers” when you’re facilitating a dramatic retelling, encouraging the participants to do the same. Don’t be afraid to stretch the boundaries of the story – add in extra family members, duplicate protagonists/antagonists, herds of animals instead of one so that every child in the class has a role to play. With well-known stories ( Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk ), older children can use their familiarity with the plot to create new ideas, by modernizing the story, or placing characters from several different stories into one.

There are an incredible number of books containing collections of these stories. Some feature tales from a single country, religion, or ethnic group, while others are grouped by subject (women, animals, nature).

Here are a few recommendations:

Winifred Ward’s Stories to Dramatize is a good starting place. Ward was a pioneer in the field of creative dramatics, and the 100 pieces in this collection are almost guaranteed to be successful because of Ward’s vast experience. The stories are arranged by age level, but because of the sophistication (in terms of following storylines) of today’s children, the older age group stories could be tried with younger children.

Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books Series: There are twelve books in this series, each named with a different color (i.e. Blue, Pink, Red, Grey ). The collection includes some stories of Hans Christen Anderson and the Brothers Grimm along with many little known fairy tales. I especially recommend are “The Princess in the Chest” ( from The Pink Fairy Book) and “The Raspberry Worm” (The Lilac Fairy Book) . As the books were published between 1889 and 1913, they are now in the public domain and are available online through Project Gutenberg.

Janine Buesgen

Janine Moyer Buesgen is a theatre educator and artist with a Master’s of Arts in the Humanities degree from Arcadia University. She taught English and Theatre for more than a decade in the Pennsbury School District. Currently, Janine works with Everybody’s Theater Company and is a lecturer in the Rome School's Drama Department at the Catholic University of America.

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13.1: Fiction and Drama - types, terms and sample essay

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WHAT ARE THE MAIN LITERARY FORMS?

The main literary forms are Fiction, Drama & Poetry .

Although each of the three major literary genres, fiction, drama, and poetry are different, they have many elements in common. For example, in all three genres, authors make purposeful use of diction (word choice), employ imagery (significant detail) and each piece of literature has its own unique tone (emotional quality). An important element that you will find in all three genres is theme, the larger meaning(s) the reader derives from the poem, story, novel or play.

Each of the literary genres is distinguished by its form: Fiction is written in sentences and paragraphs. Poetry is written in lines and stanzas. Drama is written in dialogue.

WHY IS KNOWING THEM IMPORTANT?

As you read different forms of literature you will need to know specialized vocabulary to be able to best understand, interpret, and write about what you are reading. Also, how you approach a literary text and what you focus on will depend on its literary form. For instance, fiction and drama are typically anchored by a reader’s engagement with characters while many poems do not contain a character or tell a story. Therefore, plot is often not a factor in a poem . A poem can be an impression or reflection about a person, a place, an experience or an idea.

HOW DO I APPROACH EACH FORM?

KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FICTION:

Short Stories are usually defined as being between 2000-6000 words long. Most short stories have at least one “rounded” (developed and complex) character and any number of “flat” (less-developed, simpler) characters. Short stories tend to focus on one major source of conflict and often take place within one basic time period.

Novellas generally run between 50-150 pages, halfway between a story and a novel.

Novels don’t have a prescribed length. Because they are a longer form of fiction, an author has more freedom to work with plot and characters, as well as develop sub-plots and move freely through time. Characters can change and develop over the course of time and the theme(s) can be broader and more intricate than in shorter forms of fiction.

KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES AND STRUCTURE OF DRAMA:

Drama Types

Tragedy – generally serious in tone, focusing on a protagonist who experiences an eventual downfall

Comedy – light in tone, employs humor and ends happily

Satire – exaggerated and comic in tone for the purpose of criticism or ridicule

Experimental – can be light or serious in tone. It creates its own style through experimentation with language, characters, plot, etc.

Musical – can be light or serious. The majority of the dialogue is sung rather than spoken.

Drama Structure

Plays are organized into dialogue, scenes and acts. A play can be made up one act or multiple acts. Each act is divided into scenes, in which a character, or characters, come on or off stage and speak their lines. A play can have only one character or many characters. The main character is the protagonist and a character who opposes him/her is the antagonist .

The plots of plays typically follow this pattern:

Rising Action – complications the protagonist must face, composed of any number of conflicts and crises
Climax – the peak of the rising action and the turning point for the protagonist
Falling Action – the movement toward a resolution

COMMONALITIES OF FICTION AND DRAMA TERMS

Both fiction and drama are typically anchored by plot and character. They also contain literary themes as well as having other elements in common, so we will look at literary terms that can be applied to both of these literary forms.

Fiction and Drama Terms

PLOT: Plot is the unfolding of a dramatic situation; it is what happens in the narrative. Be aware that writers of fiction arrange fictional events into patterns. They select these events carefully, they establish causal relationships among events, and they enliven these events with conflict. Therefore, more accurately defined, plot is a pattern of carefully selected, casually related events that contain conflict. There are two general categories of conflict: internal conflict , takes place within the minds of the characters and external conflict , takes place between individuals or between individuals and the world external to the individuals (the forces of nature, human created objects, and environments). The forces in a conflict are usually embodied by characters, the most relevant being the protagonist , the main character, and the antagonist , the opponent of the protagonist (the antagonist is usually a person but can also be a nonhuman force or even an aspect of the protagonist—his or her tendency toward evil and self-destruction for example). QUESTIONS ABOUT PLOT: What conflicts does it dramatize?

CHARACTERS: There are two broad categories of character development: simple and complex. Simple (or “flat”) characters have only one or two personality traits and are easily recognizable as stereotypes—the shrewish wife, the lazy husband, the egomaniac, etc. Complex (or “rounded”) characters have multiple personality traits and therefore resemble real people. They are much harder to understand and describe than simple characters. No single description or interpretation can fully contain them. For the characters in modern fiction, the hero has often been replaced by the antihero , an ordinary, unglamorous person often confused, frustrated and at odds with modern life. QUESTIONS ABOUT CHARACTERS: What is revealed by the characters and how they are portrayed?

THEME: The theme is an idea or point that is central to a story, which can often be summed up in a word or a few words (e.g. loneliness, fate, oppression, rebirth, coming of age; humans in conflict with technology; nostalgia; the dangers of unchecked power). A story may have several themes. Themes often explore historically common or cross-culturally recognizable ideas, such as ethical questions and commentary on the human condition, and are usually implied rather than stated explicitly.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THEME: To help identify themes ask yourself questions such as these:

SYMBOLISM: In the broadest sense, a symbol is something that represents something else. Words, for example, are symbols. But in literature, a symbol is an object that has meaning beyond itself. The object is concrete and the meanings are abstract. QUESTIONS ABOUT SYMBOLS: Not every work uses symbols, and not every character, incident, or object in a work has symbolic value. You should ask fundamental questions in locating and interpreting symbols:

SETTING: The social mores, values, and customs of the world in which the characters live; the physical world; and the time of the action, including historical circumstances.

TONE: The narrator’s predominant attitude toward the subject, whether that subject is a particular setting, an event, a character, or an idea.

POINT OF VIEW: The author’s relationship to his or her fictional world, especially to the minds of the characters. Put another way, point of view is the position from which the story is told. There are four common points of view:

Omniscient point of view —the author tells the story and assumes complete knowledge of the characters’ actions and thoughts.
Limited omniscient point of view —the author still narrates the story but restricts his or her revelation—and therefore our knowledge—to the thoughts of just one character.
First person point of view —one of the characters tells the story, eliminating the author as narrator. The narration is restricted to what one character says he or she observes.
Objective point of view —the author is the narrator but does not enter the minds of any of the characters. The writer sees them (and lets us see them) as we would in real life.

FORESHADOWING: The anticipation of something, which will happen later. It is often done subtlety with symbols or other indirect devices. We have to use inferential thinking to identify foreshadowing in some stories, and often it occurs on an almost emotional level as we're reading, leading us further into the heart of the story.

EXPOSITION : The opening portion of a story that sets the scene, introduces characters and gives background information we may need to understand the story.

INTERIOR MONOLOGUE : An extended exploration of one character's thoughts told from the inside but as if spoken out loud for the reader to overhear.

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS: A style of presenting thoughts and sense impressions in a lifelike fashion, the way thoughts move freely through the mind, often chaotic or dreamlike.

IRONY: Generally irony makes visible a contrast between appearance and reality. More fully and specifically, it exposes and underscores a contrast between (1) what is and what seems to be, (2) between what is and what ought to be, (3) between what is and what one wishes to be, (4) and between what is and what one expects to be. Incongruity is the method of irony; opposites come suddenly together so that the disparity is obvious.

CLIMAX: The moment of greatest tension when a problem or complication may be resolved or, at least, confronted.

RESolution, CONCLUSION or DENOUEMENT ("untying of the knot"): Brings the problem to some sort of finality, not necessarily a happy ending, but a resolution.

Using the literary vocabulary and questions, let’s analyze a literary text.

Read the memoir, “Learning to Read,” by Jessica Powers which can be located in Chapter 1: Critical Reading in the “Faculty-Written Texts” section. Powers employs many of the elements of fiction in this autobiographical piece. When you have finished reading, answer the questions below.

Questions about plot :

What is the main conflict in the story?
What causes the conflict?
Is the conflict external or internal?
What is the turning point in the story?
How is the main conflict resolved?

Questions about character:

Is the main character simple or complex? Explain.
What are the traits of the main character? Make a list.
Does the main character change? Describe.
What steps does she go through to change? Make a list.
What does she learn? Describe.
Does the main character experience an epiphany? Describe.

Questions about theme:

What does the story show us about human behavior?
Are there moral issues raised by the story? Describe.
What does the story tell us about why people change?

Example A sample essay written on fiction (a short story)

Last Name 1

Student Name

Professor name

English 110

All paragraphs directly prove the thesis (underlined). How? Each paragraph uses the PIE paragraph approach: each starts with the (an arguable topic sentence- -that directly proves the thesis and states the one point that will be addressed in that paragraph; then from the poem is used in the form paraphrases and smoothly integrated quotes; then this is followed with telling "so what?" is the importance/significance?

Women, Are You Living for Yourself or for a Man?

A woman in her 40s who never marries or has children is often met with concern, suspicion or pity and there is even a pejorative word for her, "spinster." In contrast, a man in his 40s who never marries or has children is often viewed positively as a bachelor or a playboy or simply as a free man. This double standard forces many women to live for others first and themselves second, something a man is never asked to do. This was especially true in the early 1900s when women were discouraged from having careers outside of the home and were encouraged to have their primary focus in life be caring for their husband, children and home. Mary E. Wilkins Freeman the author of the short story "A New England Nun," presented women from this era with a story of a woman who rebels against the usual adherence to duty, submission, and self-sacrifice. Through the story of her main character Louisa, Freeman offers an alternative to the role American society had expected women to play. Freeman proves there are advantages to be had for women who break the bonds of socially created gender roles by declining to get married and have children, and instead create a life entirely their own, one in which they are not tied down by the needs of others and advantageously avoid the negative influence brought on by the judgement and expectations of a man.

Although Louisa's engagement promised security and stability, it is immediately clear that the return of Louisa's long-awaited fiance threatens to destabilize the ordered and serene life she had created for herself. Because her finace Joe Dagget had to work overseas for 14 years, Louisa had a taste of something not many women of her time experienced, socially approved independence. During this time, Louisa became quite content with her solitary life. Louisa developed a passion for caring for her home and did chores because it pleased her, which is a far cry from the feelings most women in that era experienced in caring for a house, husband and children. Upon her fiance's return, the presence of masculinity upsets the ideal environment Louisa had established in her life and Freeman illustrates this when the couple's first reunion ends in chaos. As Joe is leaving Louisa's house, he stumbles over a rug which knocks over her basket of sewing supplies, and as the yarn spools helplessly unravel across the floor Louisa says stiffly to Joe, "Never mind, I'll pick them up after you're gone" (65). As her yarn unravels, Louisa gets a preview of what Joe's presence will do to her life. Louisa's meticulous care for her home and her appreciation for cleanliness and order shows that having a place of her own and maintaining her preferred surroundings gave her a sense of price and placed power and control over her life in her own hands.

Another way marriage threatens Louisa is that it would make her dependent. A stipulation for marriage during the early 20th century that would have had a devastating impact on Louisa's life was that all her treasured possessions would legally become her husband's property. Louisa discovered many of her passions whilst living independently. Among those were her china set that she used daily, her photo albums, her books, her sewing supplies that she grew to call good friends, her dog Caesar, and most of all her home. In addition to the transfer of possessions following matrimony, women also no longer had control over what they did with their time. In Louisa's case, she would be forced to become a servant of both her new husband, his mother, and their future children. Her time would no longer be her own as she would become the cook, laundress, seamstress, and caretaker for others. The independence that Louisa cherished would be replaced with servitude, duty, and dependence on a man she barely knew.

The predominate message for women, yet not for men, is that their lives will be incomplete, empty, and without purpose if they do not marry and have children, trapping some women in miserable lives. Without socially accepted alternatives, some women get married and have children who would be better off doing neither. Shouldn't a person want to take on the challenging task of caring for others rather than producing more unhappy marriages and checked out parents who feel distanced from and resentful of their children? The pressures, however, on women to marry and have children back then persist today, and this needs to change. The ending that Freeman created in her story proposes that some women should choose to live for themselves. After Louisa breaks off her engagement, she sees the endless possibilities for her future, "She gazed ahead, through a long reach of future days strung together like pearls on a rosary, every one like the others, and all smooth and flawless and innocent, and her heart went up in thankfulness" (71). At this point, Louisa is no longer marrying Joe, but she does not perceive life without love or intimacy as any terrible loss. Instead, she sees a life full of freedom and potential.

We mustn't continue to limit the potential of women by making them conform to limited gender roles. An article written by the UN Women's Secretary General for International Women's Day 2017 claims that, "Around the world, tradition, cultural values and religion are being misused to curtail women's rights, to entrench sexism and defend misogynistic practices." Even though women in the 21st century have deviated from being dependent on the financial stability provided by a man, conventional views continue to limit their growth by assigning them to feminine type jobs and denying them leadership positions. In addition to Inequality in the workplace, women are often juggling both work-life and domestic-life. Louisa's story stresses the importance of being a strong woman in a restrictive society and emphasizes the previous rewards that are yours to possess when you alter your path based on your own decisions. The worth of a women should not be judged by marriage and children because the worth of man certainly is not.

Works Citied

Freeman Wilkins, Mary E. "A New England Nun." Great Short Stories by American Women, edited by

Candace Ward, Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications, 1996, pp. 61-71.

Guterres, Antonio. "UN Secretary-General's Message for International Women's day." UN Women, 6

Mar. 2017, http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stori...omens-day-2017 .

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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Bright, colorful creative writer's desk with notebook and typewriter -- What Is Creative Writing

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

Short stories
Screenplays
Flash fiction
Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

Recommended Tools	Learn More
Jasper AI
Show Not Tell GPT
Dragon Professional Speech Dictation and Voice Recognition
Surface Laptop
Bluehost
Sqribble (eBook maker)

Types of Creative Writing: A Detailed Explanantion

Read the blog and discover different Types of Creative Writing offering insights and examples to help you navigate the world of literary creativity. Explore various forms such as poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and scriptwriting. Discover how each style offers unique ways to express creativity, tell stories, and engage audiences.

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Creative Writing is a diverse and exciting art that demands Writers to look into their imagination and express their thoughts in unique ways. From short stories to poetry, different Types of Creative Writing which cater to different styles and preferences. In this blog, we will delve into the different Types of Creative Writing, offering insights and examples to help you navigate the world of literary creativity.

Table of Contents

1) What are the various Types of Creative Writing?

a) Fiction writing

b) Poetry

c) Song lyrics

d) Journals and diaries

e) Drama and playwriting

f) Screenwriting

g) Experimental writing

h) Novels

2) Techniques used in Creative Writing

3) Conclusion

What are the various Types of Creative Writing?

Let’s discuss the various Types of Creative Writing:

Fiction writing

Fiction writing is one of the captivating Types of Creative Writing that transports readers into imaginary worlds, introduces them to memorable characters, and explores numerous emotions and themes. Within fiction, there are several distinct forms that Writers can explore to weave intricate tales. These forms include:

Fiction writing is a captivating part of Creative Writing that transports readers into imaginary worlds, introduces them to memorable characters, and explores an array of emotions and themes. Within fiction, there are several distinct forms that Writers can explore to weave intricate tales:

a) Short stories:

Short stories are concise yet potent narratives that distil the essence of a single plot, theme, or character arc. Writers craft short stories to deliver a powerful impact within a limited word count. The brevity of the format challenges Authors to make every word count, focusing on evoking emotions, building tension, and delivering a satisfying resolution in a short span of time.

Novels offer the canvas for Writers to embark on extended journeys of storytelling. With ample space to develop complex characters, intricate plotlines, and detailed settings, novels invite readers to immerse themselves in the fictional world fully. Writers can explore a myriad of themes, emotions, and conflicts, delving deep into the psyche of their characters and creating a lasting impact on the reader.

c) Flash fiction:

Flash fiction is the art of storytelling distilled into its most concise form. Writers embrace the challenge of telling a complete story within just a few hundred words. This form demands precision and creativity, forcing Writers to capture the essence of a narrative in a condensed space.

d) Fan fiction:

Fan fiction is a fascinating genre that allows Writers to extend and reimagine existing fictional universes. Writers create new stories, scenarios, and adventures featuring beloved characters from books, movies, TV shows, or video games. By building upon established foundations, Writers engage in a creative dialogue with the original creators and fellow fans.

d) Historical fiction:

Poetry

Poetry is the language of emotions, a lyrical form of expression that transcends conventional prose. It's one of the most interesting and beautiful Types of Creative Writing that condenses thoughts, feelings, and imagery into evocative verses.

It invites readers to experience the world through a different lens. Within the realm of poetry, various forms and styles allow poets to experiment with rhythm, sound, and language, resulting in a rich tapestry of literary artistry that involves the following:

Haiku, originating from Japan, is a minimalist form of poetry that captures the essence of a moment in just three lines. With a syllable structure of 5-7-5, haikus distil nature's beauty and human experiences into concise verses. They often focus on capturing fleeting moments, seasons, and emotions, inviting readers to pause and reflect on the subtleties of life.

The sonnet is a structured and elegant poetic form dating back to the Renaissance. Typically composed of 14 lines, sonnets follow specific rhyme schemes, such as the Shakespearean (ABABCDCDEFEFGG) or the Petrarchan (ABBAABBACDCDCD). Sonnets explore themes of love, beauty, mortality, and the complexities of human emotion.

c) Free verse:

Free verse poetry breaks away from traditional rhyme and meter patterns, allowing poets to experiment with line breaks, rhythm, and imagery. This form gives poets the freedom to let their thoughts flow naturally, creating unique and organic rhythms that reflect the pace of modern life.

d) Limerick:

Limericks are playful and humorous five-line poems with a distinct AABBA rhyme scheme. These witty verses often feature light-hearted language and unexpected twists, making them a favourite for conveying amusing anecdotes and quirky observations.

e) Epic poetry:

Epic poems tell grand narratives of heroes, gods, and legendary quests. With their lengthy verses and intricate storytelling, epic poems like Homer's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" have shaped cultures and inspired countless works of literature. These narratives delve into themes of heroism, fate, and the human condition, offering readers an immersive journey through time and imagination.

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Song lyrics

If you like writing poetry or you think that it can be your forte as a Creative Writer, then you can also try your hand at writing song lyrics. Song lyrics are another one of the most popular Types of Creative Writing.

Practising writing song lyrics is one of the best ways to bring out your creativity, especially if you have a knack for music. Although it sounds interesting and fun, matching the lines in a song lyric can be a challenging task.

You need to think about maintaining not only the intent of the song but also the kind of audience you’ll be approaching. Your song lyrics need to be tangible and understandable, and most importantly, they need to carry out a story and song at the same time.

If you don’t have any proper knowledge of music, then you can try getting help from your friends or peers who have a good knowledge of music and see if your lyrics are going well with the music.

Journals and diaries

Practicing journaling is a good way of regulating someone’s emotions and understand their feelings. If you are unsure what Type of Creative Writing you want to pursue, you can simply start by jotting down the events of your day.

Understanding what you go through every day, not only helps you in your personal development, but also help you to become a good Creative Writer. You can even publish your works as we have seen so many famous people publishing their diary entries. If you want to know where to start, there are several journal entries by famous people, whose works can inspire you to start Writing.

Keeping a journal or diary, is crucial for your mental health , as it helps you to express your feelings in a constructive manner. This also gives you another boost to your writing skills, if you are a budding Writer

Drama and playwriting

Drama and playwriting are artistic forms of Creative Writing that bring narratives to life through the dynamics of performance. These forms of creative expression explore the intricacies of human interaction, emotion, and conflict within the context of staged productions. Let's delve into the world of drama and playwriting, where characters come alive on the stage:

a) Tragedy:

Tragedy is a dramatic genre that delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the inevitability of suffering. Tragic plays often revolve around protagonists who face moral dilemmas, internal struggles, and external forces that ultimately lead to their downfall. Tragedies offer audiences a cathartic experience, allowing them to confront and process complex emotions while reflecting on the human condition.

Comedy is the art of entertainment through humour and light-heartedness. Comedic plays explore the absurdities of human behaviour, social conventions, and misunderstandings. These works aim to amuse and uplift audiences, often featuring witty dialogue, situational comedy, and humorous characters. From slapstick to sattire, comedies provide a diverse range of comedic experiences.

c) Monologues:

Monologues are powerful soliloquies delivered by a single character on stage. They offer insight into the character's thoughts, emotions, and motivations, allowing the audience to connect deeply with their inner world. Monologues provide actors with opportunities to showcase their talent and capture the essence of a character's complexity.

d) Dialogues:

Dialogues are the heart of dramatic interaction. They reveal the relationships between characters, advance the plot, and convey emotions and conflicts. Well-crafted dialogues create tension, build connections, and propel the narrative forward, immersing the audience in the unfolding drama.

e) Experimental theatre:

Experimental theatre pushes the boundaries of traditional forms and conventions. This genre encourages innovative approaches to staging, narrative structure, and performance. Playwrights and directors experiment with non-linear narratives, multimedia elements, immersive environments, and audience interaction to challenge perceptions and evoke thought-provoking responses.

Screenwriting

Screenwriting is the art of crafting stories specifically for the visual medium of film or television. It's a dynamic and collaborative form of writing that serves as the foundation for the creation of compelling on-screen narratives. Here are some key elements of screenwriting:

a) Writing for film:

Film screenwriting involves creating scripts that serve as blueprints for movies. ScreenWriters translate their ideas into a structured format that includes scenes, dialogues, actions, and descriptions. They must balance engaging storytelling with the technical aspects of filmmaking, considering camera angles, pacing, and visual cues.

b) Television scripts:

Television scripts are tailored to episodic formats, such as TV series or miniseries. Writers develop characters, story arcs, and dialogue that span multiple episodes, allowing for character development and plot progression over time. Each episode contributes to the overarching narrative while maintaining its own distinct identity.

c) Adaptation:

Adaptation involves transforming existing source material, such as books, plays, or real-life events, into screenplay format. Writers must distil the essence of the original work while making necessary changes to suit the visual medium and the constraints of time.

d) Dialogue and action:

Effective screenwriting places a strong emphasis on dialogue and action. Dialogue conveys characters' personalities, motivations, and conflicts, while action descriptions provide visual cues for directors, actors, and crew. Both elements work together to create a seamless and engaging on-screen experience.

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Experimental writing

Experimental writing defies traditional conventions, pushing the boundaries of language and structure to create innovative literary works. It challenges readers to engage with unconventional formats, fragmented narratives, and abstract concepts.

Through a stream of consciousness, collage writing, and visual poetry, experimental writing offers a fresh perspective, inviting readers to explore new realms of thought and emotion. It's a playground of creative freedom where Writers experiment with words as artists do with colours, producing compositions that evoke intrigue, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the limitless possibilities of language.

It is often said that good Writers are voracious readers. Well, if we take that into consideration, then there have many times where you might have loved reading novels. All the novels that you have read, or you know of, are one of the premium examples of Creative Writing.

They may vary in length, depending on the subject or genre that you choose to write on. If you are writing a long form novel, then they are divided into number of chapters. If you have a big idea waiting to be broken down into many chapters, then novels are for you.

Techniques used in Creative Writing

If you are wondering how to begin Creative Writing, you can start by following these techniques:

1) Narrative

Determining the narrative of your story is extremely important. If you control the narrative in your story, you can hold your audience’s attention for a long time, whether you are writing novels, novellas, or even short stories. In general, you should remember that whether you are doing Creative Writing or Non-fiction Writing, deciding on a narrative and then maintaining that throughout is crucial.

2) Characterisation

Characterisation is vital in building your story. If you don’t provide the details of your characters and describe their physical features, background, past, etc., you cannot help your reader imagine the situation. It is a crucial step in Creative Writing, enabling you to drive the plot forward and allow your story to build more layers.

Before you build your story, you need to have a solid plot to make your story upon. It is a blueprint to help you establish your story's theme agenda. It can also be referred to as a series of events that will help you build up the narrative. The plot has five parts: exposition or introduction, complications or rising action, climax, slow revelations and then the conclusion. The more solid your plot will be, the more you can create beautiful stories.

From the whimsical realms of children's literature to the thought-provoking depths of creative non-fiction, this blog about the different Types of Creative Writing has unveiled a world of literary possibilities. As pens meet paper and imaginations take flight, we hope this blog will guide you on your journey to weave tales that leave an indelible mark on hearts and minds.

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Incorporating Creative Writing skills will help you in your professional growth. Creative Writing helps in effective communication, improved problem-solving abilities, increased empathy, improved mental health, and enhanced creativity.

The factors which influence the organisational structure in various types of Creative Writing are genre, style, narrative, expectations from the audience, length, point of view, cultural and historical context, character development, and more.

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Literary Terms
Definition & Examples
When & How to Write a Plot

I. What is Plot?

In a narrative or creative writing, a plot is the sequence of events that make up a story, whether it’s told, written, filmed, or sung. The plot is the story, and more specifically, how the story develops, unfolds, and moves in time. Plots are typically made up of five main elements:

1. Exposition: At the beginning of the story, characters , setting, and the main conflict are typically introduced.

2. Rising Action: The main character is in crisis and events leading up to facing the conflict begin to unfold. The story becomes complicated.

3. Climax: At the peak of the story, a major event occurs in which the main character faces a major enemy, fear, challenge, or other source of conflict. The most action, drama, change, and excitement occurs here.

4. Falling Action: The story begins to slow down and work towards its end, tying up loose ends.

5. Resolution/ Denoument: Also known as the denouement, the resolution is like a concluding paragraph that resolves any remaining issues and ends the story.

Plots, also known as storylines, include the most significant events of the story and how the characters and their problems change over time.

II. Examples of Plot

Here are a few very short stories with sample plots:

Kaitlin wants to buy a puppy. She goes to the pound and begins looking through the cages for her future pet. At the end of the hallway, she sees a small, sweet brown dog with a white spot on its nose. At that instant, she knows she wants to adopt him. After he receives shots and a medical check, she and the dog, Berkley, go home together.

In this example, the exposition introduces us to Kaitlin and her conflict. She wants a puppy but does not have one. The rising action occurs as she enters the pound and begins looking. The climax is when she sees the dog of her dreams and decides to adopt him. The falling action consists of a quick medical check before the resolution, or ending, when Kaitlin and Berkley happily head home.

Scott wants to be on the football team, but he’s worried he won’t make the team. He spends weeks working out as hard as possible, preparing for try outs. At try outs, he amazes coaches with his skill as a quarterback. They ask him to be their starting quarterback that year and give him a jersey. Scott leaves the field, ecstatic!

The exposition introduces Scott and his conflict: he wants to be on the team but he doubts his ability to make it. The rising action consists of his training and tryout; the climax occurs when the coaches tell him he’s been chosen to be quarterback. The falling action is when Scott takes a jersey and the resolution is him leaving the try-outs as a new, happy quarterback.

Each of these stories has

an exposition as characters and conflicts are introduced
a rising action which brings the character to the climax as conflicts are developed and faced, and
a falling action and resolution as the story concludes.

III. Types of Plot

There are many types of plots in the world! But, realistically, most of them fit some pattern that we can see in more than one story. Here are some classic plots that can be seen in numerous stories all over the world and throughout history.

a. Overcoming the Monster

The protagonist must defeat a monster or force in order to save some people—usually everybody! Most often, the protagonist is forced into this conflict, and comes out of it as a hero, or even a king. This is one version of the world’s most universal and compelling plot—the ‘monomyth’ described by the great thinker Joseph Campbell.

Examples:

Beowulf, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.

b. Rags to Riches:

This story can begin with the protagonist being poor or rich, but at some point, the protagonist will have everything, lose everything, and then gain it all back by the end of the story, after experiencing great personal growth.

The Count of Monte Cristo, Cinderella, and Jane Eyre.

c. The Quest:

The protagonist embarks on a quest involving travel and dangerous adventures in order to find treasure or solve a huge problem. Usually, the protagonist is forced to begin the quest but makes friends that help face the many tests and obstacles along the way. This is also a version of Campbell’s monomyth.

The Iliad, The Lord of the Rings, and Eragon

d. Voyage and Return:

The protagonist goes on a journey to a strange or unknown place, facing danger and adventures along the way, returning home with experience and understanding. This is also a version of the monomyth.

Alice in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Wizard of Oz

A happy and fun character finds a happy ending after triumphing over difficulties and adversities.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Home Alone

f. Tragedy:

The protagonist experiences a conflict which leads to very bad ending, typically death.

Romeo and Juliet, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Macbeth

g. Rebirth:

The protagonist is a villain who becomes a good person through the experience of the story’s conflict.

The Secret Garden, A Christmas Carol, The Grinch

As these seven examples show, many stories follow a common pattern. In fact, according to many thinkers, such as the great novelist Kurt Vonnegut, and Joseph Campbell, there are only a few basic patterns, which are mixed and combined to form all stories.

IV. The Importance of Using Plot

The plot is what makes a story a story. It gives the story character development, suspense, energy, and emotional release (also known as ‘catharsis’). It allows an author to develop themes and most importantly, conflict that makes a story emotionally engaging; everybody knows how hard it is to stop watching a movie before the conflict is resolved.

V. Examples of Plot in Literature

Plots can be found in all kinds of fiction. Here are a few examples.

The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham

In The Razor’s Edge, Larry Darrell returns from World War I disillusioned. His fiancée, friends, and family urge him to find work, but he does not want to. He embarks on a voyage through Europe and Asia seeking higher truth. Finally, in Asia, he finds a more meaningful way of life.

In this novel, the plot follows the protagonist Larry as he seeks meaningful experiences. The story begins with the exposition of a disillusioned young man who does not want to work. The rising action occurs as he travels seeking an education. The story climaxes when he becomes a man perfectly at peace in meditation.

The Road not Taken’ by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could … Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim … And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. … I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost’s famous poem “The Road Not Taken,” has a very clear plot: The exposition occurs when a man stands at the fork of two roads, his conflict being which road to take. The climax occurs when he chooses the unique path. The resolution announces that “that has made all the difference,” meaning the man has made a significant and meaningful decision.

VI. Examples of Plot in Pop Culture

Plots can also be found in television shows, movies, thoughtful storytelling advertisements, and song lyrics. Below are a few examples of plot in pop culture.

“Love Story” (excerpts) by Taylor Swift:

I’m standing there on a balcony in summer air. See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns. See you make your way through the crowd And say, “Hello, ” Little did I know… That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles, And my daddy said, “Stay away from Juliet” And I was crying on the staircase Begging you, “Please don’t go” So I sneak out to the garden to see you. We keep quiet ’cause we’re dead if they knew So close your eyes… escape this town for a little while. . . . He knelts to the ground and pulled out a ring and said… “Marry me, Juliet, you’ll never have to be alone. I love you, and that’s all I really know. I talked to your dad – go pick out a white dress It’s a love story, baby, just say, ‘Yes.'”

These excerpts reveal the plot of this song: the exposition occurs when we see two characters: a young woman and young man falling in love. The rising action occurs as the father forbids her from seeing the man and they continue see one another in secret. Finally, the climax occurs when the young man asks her to marry him and the two agree to make their love story come true.

Minions Official Trailer #1 (2015) - Despicable Me Prequel HD

Minions have a goal to serve the most despicable master. Their rising action is their search for the best leader, the conflict being that they cannot keep one. Movie trailers encourage viewers to see the movie by showing the conflict but not the climax or resolution.

VII. Related Terms

Many people use outlines which to create complex plots, or arguments in formal essays . In a story, an outline is a list of the scenes in the plot with brief descriptions. Like the skeleton is to the body, an outline is the framework upon which the rest of the story is built when it is written. In essays, outlines are used to help organize ideas into strong arguments and paragraphs that connect to each other in sensible ways.

The climax is considered the most important element of the plot. It contains the highest point of tension, drama, and change. The climax is when the conflict is finally faced and overcome. Without a climax, a plot does not exist.

For example, consider this simple plot:

The good army is about to face the evil army in a terrible battle. During this battle, the good army prevails and wins the war at last. After the war has ended, the two sides make piece and begin rebuilding the countryside which was ruined by the years-long war.

The climax occurred when the good army defeated the bad army. Without this climax, the story would simply be a never-ending war between a good army and bad army, with no happy or sad ending in sight. Here, the climax is absolutely necessary for a meaningful story with a clear ending.

List of Terms

Alliteration
Amplification
Anachronism
Anthropomorphism
Antonomasia
APA Citation
Aposiopesis
Autobiography
Bildungsroman
Characterization
Circumlocution
Cliffhanger
Comic Relief
Connotation
Deus ex machina
Deuteragonist
Doppelganger
Double Entendre
Dramatic irony
Equivocation
Extended Metaphor
Figures of Speech
Flash-forward
Foreshadowing
Intertextuality
Juxtaposition
Literary Device
Malapropism
Onomatopoeia
Parallelism
Pathetic Fallacy
Personification
Point of View
Polysyndeton
Protagonist
Red Herring
Rhetorical Device
Rhetorical Question
Science Fiction
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Synesthesia
Turning Point
Understatement
Urban Legend
Verisimilitude
Essay Guide
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7 Different Types of Drama in Literature!
Drama Type - Comedy. Comedy is a type or genre of drama that is intended to make people laugh. However, humour is not the only quality that signifies a comedy. The main themes of a comedy are-The tone is lighthearted. Ingenious wordplay or twists of phrases. Serious issues are addressed in a lighthearted manner. Misunderstandings are amusing.
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Creative Writing Quarter 2 - Module 1: Various Elements, Techniques, and Literary Devices of Drama 12 12 Creative Writing Quarter 2 - Module 1: ... **Two Types of Drama. Tragedy -** is a form of drama in which events lead to the downfall of the main character, often a person of great significance, like a king or hero.
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Drama is a captivating literary genre that is brought to life through performance. With its roots tracing back to the Greek word 'dran,' meaning 'to do' or 'to act,' drama encompasses a wide range of artistic expressions. It delves into the complexities of human emotions, intertwining the lives of characters in a web of conflicts and resolutions.
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setting - The scenic design and props. These add meaning and historical context to what characters do and say in the drama. Some components of the setting are as follows: the orchestra, the performance and dancing area for actors and chorus, which was utilized by Greek theater to inform audiences of what happens "off stage." (i.e. no murders or suicides were shown; instead, a messenger ...
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Types of creative writing. Many types, forms, and styles of writing can be considered creative, from novels that tell fictional stories across 300 pages, to poems that consist of a few words. ... Drama. Drama is a form of creative writing that is meant for stage, screen, or radio performances. A dramatic work is called a play, screenplay, or ...
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Types of Drama in Literature. Comedy: A comedy is a type of drama that is written to be entertaining or amusing for the audience. The television show Seinfeld is considered a comedy. This sitcom follows the lives of four friends and the humorous situations they encounter together. Tragedy: A tragedy is a type of drama that can be described as ...
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Elements: Structure -- This deals with how to setup the beginning, middle and end of a play and is even more crucial in drama than any other genre of writing. Characters -- People will act out the story on stage. Characters should be well-developed and not appear as stereotypes. Dialogue -- This is crucial in plays because everything happens ...
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Literary Definition and Examples. In literature, a drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialog (either prose or poetry). Dramas can be performed on stage, on film, or radio. Dramas are typically called plays, and their creators are known as "playwrights" or "dramatists.".
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Drama as a Genre. Like fiction, drama —sometimes referred to as a play —features characters caught up in a plot, or series of events in a storyline. Just like in fiction, the plot is the trajectory of the story. Plays and novels are actually very similar in this way. In fact, some plays have been based on novels, and novels on plays.
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For the purposes of a creative drama class, the distinctions among myths and fairy, folk, or tall tales aren't as important as the content of the story itself. When choosing tales to use in class, look for simple plots, dynamic characters, and a straightforward message. You should be able to read or retell the story in 10 minutes or less.
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Drama Types. Tragedy - generally serious in tone, focusing on a protagonist who experiences an eventual downfall. Comedy - light in tone, employs humor and ends happily. Satire - exaggerated and comic in tone for the purpose of criticism or ridicule. Experimental - can be light or serious in tone.It creates its own style through experimentation with language, characters, plot, etc.
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