Lesson 1 · Drama

🎭 Drama & Stagecraft

A play is written to be performed. Reading drama means imagining the voices, the movement and the stage as well as the words.

📜 Reading a script

A script is made of dialogue (what characters say) and stage directions (usually in brackets or italics: how to move, speak or where to stand). A play is divided into acts and scenes.

Monologue one character speaks at length to others Soliloquy one character speaks their thoughts, alone on stage Aside a short remark to the audience, unheard by others MARIA: (whispering, looking at the door) He knows.

Dramatic irony: the audience knows something that a character does not, which creates tension.

🖼️ See it

Both let the audience know something the other characters do not, which creates dramatic irony.

🎬 Staging

Directors and actors use blocking (where actors stand and move), props, costume, lighting and sound to create mood. When you write about drama, explain the effect on the audience, not only what happens.

Slow, dim lighting + a long pause = tension A character standing apart from the group = isolation A raised voice and fast pace = anger or panic

✏️ Quick check · 1 of 8

Stage directions

Stage directions in a script tell actors:

Usually in brackets.

✏️ Quick check · 2 of 8

Soliloquy

A character speaks their private thoughts aloud, alone on stage. This is a:

Solo speech.

✏️ Quick check · 3 of 8

Aside

A short remark spoken to the audience that other characters do not hear is an:

A side comment.

✏️ Quick check · 4 of 8

Blocking

In drama, blocking means:

Movement planning.

✏️ Quick check · 5 of 8

Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony happens when:

Who knows what?

✏️ Quick check · 6 of 8

Lighting

Dim, slow lighting on stage most likely creates a mood of:

Think of a dark room.

✏️ Quick check · 7 of 8

Dialogue

Dialogue is:

Characters talking.

✏️ Quick check · 8 of 8

Acts

A play is usually divided into:

Not poetry terms.

📝 Lesson quiz · 5 questions

Question 1 of 5

Which is spoken by one character to the audience, unheard by the others?

Question 2 of 5

Which word means an object an actor uses on stage?

Question 3 of 5

Writing about the effect of lighting on the audience shows:

Question 4 of 5

A scene in which a lone character reveals inner doubts is most likely a:

Question 5 of 5

The text in brackets in a script, such as (whispering), is:

Lesson 2 · Writing

📋 Writing a Formal Report

A report gives clear, organised information to a specific reader, often someone who will make a decision from it.

🧱 Structure

A formal report has a title, an introduction saying the purpose, findings under headings, a short conclusion, and often recommendations. Each section has a clear job.

Title: Report on Cafeteria Food Choices Introduction: Purpose: to find out what students want Findings: Menu / Prices / Queues Conclusion: Most students want healthier options Recommendations: Add a salad bar; open a second counter

🖼️ See it

Each section has a clear job, and headings help the reader find it.

🎩 Formal register

Use a formal, impersonal tone: no slang, no contractions, few exclamation marks. Use linking phrases such as Furthermore, However and As a result. Support points with facts or figures.

Informal: Loads of kids hate the queues! Formal: Many students are dissatisfied with the length of the queues.

Report vs. letter: a report uses headings and a clear structure; a letter has a greeting and sign-off.

✏️ Quick check · 1 of 8

Purpose

The introduction of a report should:

Starts with the aim.

✏️ Quick check · 2 of 8

Headings

Why does a report use headings?

Navigation.

✏️ Quick check · 3 of 8

Formal

Which sentence is most formal?

Impersonal tone.

✏️ Quick check · 4 of 8

Conclusion

A conclusion in a report should:

Short and clear.

✏️ Quick check · 5 of 8

Recommendations

Recommendations are:

What should happen?

✏️ Quick check · 6 of 8

Linking

Which linking word shows contrast?

Opposite direction.

✏️ Quick check · 7 of 8

Contractions

In a formal report, "don’t" should be written as:

Write both words.

✏️ Quick check · 8 of 8

Audience

Before writing a report you should first identify:

Who is it for?

📝 Lesson quiz · 5 questions

Question 1 of 5

Which is a feature of a formal report?

Question 2 of 5

Which sentence uses passive, impersonal style?

Question 3 of 5

Recommendations should be based on:

Question 4 of 5

Which word could open a recommendation?

Question 5 of 5

What is the best way to support a point in a report?

Final Challenge

🏆 8-Question Challenge Quiz

Questions from every topic in this course. Pick an answer for each one, then hit Check My Answers.