Dramatica Theory Book

Chapter 19: The Elements of Structure -- Genre (Continued)

Modes of Expression

Next, we want to consider a new concept: four modes of expression through which the story's structure can be conveyed to an audience. The four modes of expression are:

• Information -- focusing the audience on knowledge.
• Drama ­- focusing the audience on thought.
• Comedy ­- focusing the audience on ability.
• Entertainment ­- focusing the audience on desire.

The Dramatica Classes describe what the audience will see. The modes describe in what light they will see them. When we match the two categories, we begin to control the feel our story will generate within the audience.

This is analogous to the manner in which Domains are created by attaching a point of view to a Class. Domains are part of the Story Mind itself and represent how a mind shifts its perspective to consider all sides of an issue. Genres, while also creating perspectives, do so outside of the Story Mind and represent the four different ways an audience can look at the Story Mind as a finished work they are receiving.

The following "Grid of Dramatica Genres," shows the four Dramatica Classes along one axis, and the four modes of expression along the other.