What defines drama as a literary form?

Drama as a literary form is defined primarily by its progression through dialogue and action. This means that the story unfolds through the spoken words of characters and their movements and interactions on stage. Unlike novels or short stories, which often contain extensive descriptive passages and internal monologues, drama focuses on presenting a narrative visually and audibly, meaning that the plot and emotions are conveyed directly through performance.

This emphasis on dialogue and action allows audiences to experience the story in a dynamic way, where the interaction between characters can be observed in real-time, fostering a connection between the actors and the audience. The absence of a narrator's commentary or detailed setting descriptions further differentiates drama, as it relies on the actors' performances and the staging to convey the environment and emotional depth of the characters. In this form, the immediacy of human interaction is what drives the narrative forward.