Year 8 · English · Modern drama · Lesson 2
Dialogue, subtext and relationships
How playwrights show relationships through dialogue, subtext, pauses, body language and status, using original modern scenes.
20-minute video lesson
Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.
Watch free for a monthWhat your child will learn
- Identify subtext in dialogue
- Explain the effect of pauses and silence
- Analyse body language and stage distance
- Explain status in a scene
- Write lines with subtext
The method
- Find what is said and what is meant.
- Look at body language and distance.
- Decide who has the power.
- Explain what the audience understands.
Key words: subtext, status, pause, body language, interruption, dialogue, relationship.
Worked examples
The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.
Question 1
What is subtext?
- Step 1: The real meaning under the words
Answer: The hidden meaning beneath what's said
Question 2
Why does Kez say ‘Mum needed me’?
- Step 1: To explain being late
- Step 2: An excuse, or a real reason
Answer: To explain why Kez was late
Question 3
Why does Kez say ‘That's not fair’?
- Step 1: Kez feels judged
- Step 2: Mum's needs are real
Answer: Kez feels Jay is being unfair about Mum