Example of dimensions in a dialog
The term "annotations" refers to the suggestions, explanations or points that an author writes about a specific text. This is done with the effect of adding accuracy to a work. The word comes from the Latin captus, and means “warning or clarification”. Its use is very common in theatrical or narrative texts, but its application in other types of content is also valid.
the dimensions are applied to help the reader understand more accurately what is to be explained. There is data of the use of this resource since ancient Greece. At that time, playwrights used captus to give context to the actors about the actions they had to execute in the different scenes —both in the recitation of their dialogues and in the necessary silences—.
What are quotations for?
You could say that the main purpose of stage directions is to clarify an action within the text. This is done through precise signs and instructions. The author makes use of them with the purpose of teaching or implying different aspects of the work in a more specific way. Annotations can be found in various contexts. These are the most common:
- Stage directions in plays;
- Annotations in literature or other texts;
- Dimensions in technical drawing.
Stage directions in plays
Stage directions in plays are those that the director or screenwriter introduces to indicate to the actors the actions associated with their dialogues and/or appearances. Its use is different from that given in literary texts. As a rule, they are enclosed in parentheses. On other occasions they can be found in quotation marks. The use of square brackets is also common.
It is possible to find several types of stage directions in plays. These types include:
Those added by the playwright for the director
In the case of this type of bounding, the playwright or screenwriter leaves some instructions to the director. This is done to indicate specific details about events that unfold in certain scenarios. Also, this can refer to the physical aspects of one or all of the characters: hair color, build, skin tone, among other factors.
Within these dimensions, special effects are also counted., light or music that will be used in the work.
Playwright's stage directions for the characters
As its name implies, they are referred by the author to those who are going to embody the roles of the work (actors). Through them, we seek to establish any action —movement, articulation of dialogues or expressions— that can help the work to develop more effectively or spectacularly.
Example:
Lightning: Lord: your glove (handing him a glove).
Valentine: It's not mine. I have both on."
(The two gentlemen of Verona, extracted from the literature of William Shakespeare).
Shakespeare phrase.
The ones added by the director
The director of a play is free to add any stage directions additional information that you think is pertinent. For example:
Maria: You must go, José, it is not recommended that you be here (looking at her feet, trembling).
Annotations in literature or other texts
The dimensions in narrative are those that are added through the dash (—). They are present when the author wants to clarify the actions, thoughts or the intervention of another character.. They are also used to refine, clarify, communicate or specify a fact present within the text. These dimensions have several important characteristics that must be taken into account, including:
Use of the dash (—)
The dash can also be called an em dash, and it has several uses. According to the Royal Spanish Academy, the line must be added at the beginning and closing of the dimension in a narrative text. Also, it should be added in character interventions.
- Example of dimensioning within the text: "It was a strange feeling - like I had never felt before - but, you shouldn't trust yourself, I had only just met her."
- Examples of dimensioning by the intervention of a character:
"What's wrong with you? Tell me, don't lie!" said Helen.
"I told you not to play games with me," Luisa said, angry, "now pay attention to the consequences."
Differentiate well the hyphen and the line
The RAE explains that hyphen and dash should not be confused, as their usage and length are different. In fact, the dash is four times longer than the dash.
- Script: (-);
- Stripe: (-).
Importance of punctuation marks in dimensions
Another aspect regarding stage directions —which is fundamental within the narrative— is the use of periods. In this case, when the clarifications are used in the intervention of a character, the corresponding sign must be located after the line, at the end of the dimension.
- Correct example: "Mariana wanted to leave —she trembled—, but a strange force prevented her."
- Wrong example: “Mariana wanted to leave —she trembled— but a strange force prevented her.”
The verbs associated with "say" in the stage directions of a narrative text
In narrative texts, when the dimension in the dialogues is related to the verb associated with "say", that word must be written in lowercase. In case the word is not related to the word "speak", it should be written in capital letters.
- Example of dimension related to the verb say: "-This is incredible! Fernando roared, exhausted.
- Example of bounding without relation to the verb say: "—Perhaps it is time to learn the lessons —Then, Irene looked at him and left."
During Fernando's intervention, it is pointed out that it is a dialogue of the young man with the verb "roar", which is associated with the verb "say", therefore, is written in lowercase. Meanwhile, in Irene's intervention, it is implied that she is the one speaking, and the action of “leaving” is indicated. For this reason the subsequent word is capitalized.
Dimensions in the technical drawing
The dimensions within the technical drawing refer to the dimensions. They are also used to add context about the characteristics of an element, such as materials, references, distances, among others.
Unlike stage directions in theater or literature, these can be expressed in the form of notes., symbols, lines or figures. It all depends on the particularities that you want to notice.
The dimensions in the technical drawing are known as "dimensions". There are two types of dimensions that can be found in this discipline. These types are:
situation dimensions
The situation dimensions they serve to make it easier for the observer to know where the objects are located inside a figure.
dimension dimensions
This type of bounding It helps the observer to know the proportions that an object has.