The major feature of drama is its presentation through the medium of performance, typically on a stage or in a theater, where actors portray characters in a story. Several key features define and distinguish drama:

1. Dialogue: Dialogue is central to drama. It consists of characters’ spoken words and interactions. Through dialogue, characters communicate their thoughts, emotions, intentions, and conflicts, driving the plot and revealing their personalities.
2. Conflict: Conflict is a fundamental element in drama. It can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or between a character and their circumstances). Conflict creates tension and propels the story forward, making it engaging for the audience.
3. Characters: Characters are the heart of any drama. They are fictional or real individuals who drive the narrative. Characters may have distinct personalities, motivations, and roles within the story, and their development is often a central focus.
4. Plot: The plot is the sequence of events that make up the story in a drama. It includes the exposition (introduction of characters and setting), rising action (build-up of conflicts), climax (the story’s turning point), falling action (resolution of conflicts), and the denouement (conclusion or closure).
5. Setting: The setting refers to the time and place where the events of the drama occur. It includes the physical environment, historical context, and cultural background, all of which can influence the story and the characters’ actions.
6. Stage Directions: In written drama scripts, stage directions are instructions to the actors and production team regarding how the play should be performed. They specify movements, gestures, props, lighting, and sound cues that enhance the audience’s understanding of the story.
7. Theme: Themes are the underlying ideas or messages that a drama conveys. They can be moral, social, philosophical, or psychological in nature. Themes add depth and meaning to the narrative, making it more thought-provoking.
8. Audience Engagement: Drama is designed to engage and entertain an audience. The audience’s emotional involvement and reactions to the characters and their predicaments are crucial to the success of a dramatic performance.
9. Suspension of Disbelief: Drama often requires the audience to suspend their disbelief, accepting the fictional nature of the story and its characters while becoming emotionally invested in their struggles and experiences.
10. Symbolism and Metaphor: Drama frequently employs symbolism and metaphor to convey deeper meanings or emotions. Objects, actions, or events may carry symbolic significance beyond their literal interpretations.
11. Emotion and Catharsis: Drama elicits emotions in both the characters and the audience. The concept of catharsis, as proposed by Aristotle, suggests that experiencing intense emotions through drama can lead to emotional purification and a sense of relief or enlightenment.
12. Variety of Genres: Drama encompasses a wide range of genres, from tragedy and comedy to historical dramas, absurdist plays, and experimental theater. Each genre offers a unique approach to storytelling and evokes different emotional responses.

Overall, the major feature of drama is its ability to tell a story through live performance, drawing the audience into the world of the characters, their conflicts, and their experiences, while conveying complex themes and emotions.