Compulsory Texts - Drama / Film

Course Requirements and Prescribed Texts

For Junior Cycle T2, you study either one complete play or two short films chosen from the official prescribed list across second and third year. Texts studied in first year cannot be counted.

Prescribed plays (Drámaí):

• Gan Choinne (Ré Ó Laighléis)
• Gleann Álainn (Brian Ó Baoill)
• Na Deoraithe (Celia de Fréine)
• Cumhacht na Cuimhne (Seosamh Mac Gabhann)

Prescribed short films (Gearrscannáin):

• An Teanga Rúnda (Brian Durnin)
• An tÁdh (Colm Bairéad)
• El Toro (Tomás Seoighe)
• Fluent Dysphasia (Daniel O'Hara)
• Cúilín Dualach (Nora Twomey)
• Síle (Cathal Ó Cuaig)

At least one selected CBA 1 portfolio item must use prescribed literature as a stimulus. Literature is an optional stimulus for CBA 2.

Plot, Theme, and Dramatic Conflict

Understanding the difference between what happens and what the story means is essential for exam questions.

• Plota: Focus on the action that happens in the story.
• Téama: Focus on the central message explored through the text.

In Gleann Álainn, the plota involves teenagers catching illegal dumpers in a bog and bringing them to court. The underlying téama is protecting the natural environment (an timpeallacht). You can express this directly: 'Thaitin an téama liom mar léiríonn na déagóirí gur fiú an timpeallacht a chosaint.'

• Coimhlint: In Gleann Álainn, teenagers stand up against powerful local polluters.
• Buaicphointe: Tension peaks in court when photographs are presented as evidence.

Character Traits and Settings

Exam questions may ask you to describe a character type or a key setting.

• Tréith charachtair: An enduring personality quality, distinct from a temporary emotion (mothúchán) felt at a particular moment.
• Suíomh: The physical setting creates mood and conflict, such as the countryside bog in Gleann Álainn.

For class discussion and CBA work, note visual techniques like seat teann or stage props (frapaí). A close-up of a worried face helps viewers notice fear.

Structuring Your Exam Answer

An exam question may ask you to pick a character type or theme from a given list, connect it to your studied work, and write a short account.

If a question asks you to match a listed theme or character type, follow this four-step structure:

1. State the text title (teideal), and name the playwright (drámadóir) or director (stiúrthóir) if asked.
2. Identify which character type or theme from the given question matches your text.
3. Provide one or two specific details or actions from the story as evidence.
4. Give your personal response (freagairt phearsanta) only if the question requests your opinion.

Useful opinion phrases:

• Thaitin an dráma go mór liom mar... (I really liked the play because...)
• Chuir an radharc seo fearg / gliondar / faitíos orm mar... (This scene made me angry / delighted / afraid because...)
• Mholfainn an saothar seo do dhaoine óga mar... (I would recommend this work to young people because...)

Key terms

Plota

The sequence of events and actions that make up the story.

Téama

A central idea, message, or issue explored through the events of a text.

Suíomh

The physical place, time, and social background in which a story occurs.

Coimhlint

The central struggle or opposition between characters, values, or forces in a story.

Tréith charachtair

An enduring personality quality shown through actions and speech, distinct from a temporary emotion.

Buaicphointe

The climax or moment of highest dramatic tension in a play or film.

Seat teann

A close-up camera shot showing a face or object closely to highlight emotion or detail.

Freagairt phearsanta

A personal response expressing your own supported opinion, reaction, or evaluation in Irish.