Intro into Drama and Some Elements of Drama

Drama comes from the Latin word 'dran' which means 'to do'. This should give you a hint as to what to expect from the genre.
 Drama transposes action onto a stage, it's unique in that sense. It's not like prose where you read it off a page and imagine or poetry where you listen to recitals. Drama involves literal visual appeal. You can (or are supposed to) SEE what's happening. So whenever you're writing, remember in drama an audience  enjoys a play, not a reader and not a listener.
Because of the live action expect to see and speak about some unique things in your essays. Dramatic significance and stage conventions are very two important elements of drama you need to discuss in your essays. What are they you ask? Well...

• Dramatic Significance: Conflict contributes to dramatic significance. It's the tension in the play. It refers to the element of surprise, the timing of characters, how conflict is introduced, developed, acknowledged and finally resolved. It's what makes you enjoy the play. You want a definition? Fiiine.... Dramatic Significance  refers to the function and importance of a scene, character, incident and speech (dialogue, incident, soliloquy, aside etc)
• Stage Conventions: refers to stage lighting, costuming, use of props, movements, positioning on stage, music. How light and imagery are symbolic to the characters, costumes describe characters and time period, what is the impact of the music on the atmosphere and mood. Pay close attention the stage directions when you are reading as they help you visualize what's happening on stage. (Stage directions are instructions given by the playwright - eg. tone of voice, movement of character, body language).