Dramatism

Most people have heard about someone who is a "Drama Queen" or "The high school called and they want their drama back, " but the communication theory on drama is just a little different. There are three parts to this theory which include identification, dramatistic pentad, and the guilt-redemption cycle.

There are five parts to the identification part of the dramatism theory. These five elements are act, scene, agent, agency, and the purpose. The movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days applies all five elements. The scene is New York City, Ben's family's home on Statton Island, Composure magazine office, Andie's apartment, Ben's apartment, Ben's office, the Knicks basketball games, a night club, and several other places throughout the movie. There is no official month, year, or season for the scene, otherwise these factors would be included in the scene element. There are a few acts in this movie as well. Andie is writing a magazine article and is looking for a guy that will dump her in ten days while Ben makes a bet with two women in his company that he can make any woman fall in love with him before their big diamond ball (which also happens to be in ten days). The two woman choose Andie, knowing very well that she is writing the article, in order to have Ben lose the bet. Andie and Ben are the main agents in the movie. They are the ones committing the act, as well as the two woman that are involved in the bet with Ben. The purpose is the final element and can be identified as creating a eventful and exciting movie for the audience.

The dramatistic pentad is applying the factors of identification and the guilt redemption cycle is bringing out the guilt instead of the elements of identification.