Kenneth Burke's Dramatism

Kenneth Burke’s Dramatism is a method for analyzing human communication by viewing life as a kind of drama or story. It suggests that people use language and actions to express motives, much like characters in a play. By identifying key elements—such as the speaker (agent), the message (act), the context (scene), the purpose (goal), and how they are presented (agency)—we better understand underlying intentions and values. This approach helps uncover how individuals frame their experiences and persuade others, highlighting the performative, narrative nature of human interaction.