nondramatic

Nondramatic is an adjective meaning not dramatic. It is used to describe works or styles that do not conform to or emphasize dramatic performance in theatre or film. In a general sense, it refers to texts or forms whose primary aim is not to present action through dialogue and staged scenes, but to convey ideas, narration, description, or interior experience through prose, verse, or non-stage elements.

In literary criticism, nondramatic forms include poetry, essays, diaries, journalism, and much of prose fiction when considered apart from its performance potential. Nondramatic writing can focus on character and emotion through introspection, description, or exposition without the concentrated, action-driven structure typical of drama. The term can also apply to literary works that are designed primarily for reading rather than staging.

In theatre and media studies, nondramatic content may refer to works that are not intended to be performed as plays or screenplays, such as lyric poetry or expository prose considered for reading aloud, or performance pieces where the emphasis is not on narrative drama. The term helps scholars distinguish between texts designed for stage or screen and those primarily intended for reading or a non-performance experience.

Etymology: from non- + dramatic, dating to early modern usage. The term remains relatively rare outside academic discourse.