WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Drama: Revision Guide

Tools for devising Dramatic devices are the tools and techniques used in drama to make points and convey meaning. Think of dramatic devices as your drama ‘vocabulary’. How many of them do you know already? Freeze-frame Actors form a still image. Usually showing a significant moment or symbolising something important. Choral speaking A group speaking together, commenting on or narrating the action of the play. Dramatic pause A hesitation or halt in dialogue, building suspense or showing a character’s strong reaction to something. Mime Performing the story with the body and facial expression only. No words or sounds. Cross-cutting Scenes move from one part of the stage to another, moving between different places or times in the story. Direct address A form of narration, when a character inside the story speaks directly to the audience, saying something the other characters cannot hear. Flashback A character’s memory triggers the action of the play to move to a previous time. Thought-tracking Characters speaking their private thoughts to the audience aloud. Soliloquy A long speech by a character alone onstage, sharing private thoughts. Slow motion Slowing down a scene to build suspense or examine it closely. Monologue A long speech by one character within a scene. Narrator A person who tells the story to the audience. Symbol An object standing for an issue or theme. Dramatic devices Pick one of the dramatic devices in this mind map. What moment in your script could you use it for? ACTIVITY 1.2 AO 2 AO 1 Dramatic devices are ways to help you show – not just tell – what is happening in your plot and what it means. You cannot just rely on how good your lines are – theatre works best when it is visual. TIP Include a rehearsal photograph or sketch of each dramatic device your group explores. By the time your scene is ready, you’ll know which ones are most relevant for your portfolio. FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO 16 part 1 DEVISING THEATRE