Key Characteristics of a Soap

There are various aspects in which every Soap Opera has which follow the conventions of a traditional Soap.
Below are some of the key characteristics you will find:

• Cliffhangers
• Lots of different story lines going on at one time although there is one main plot.
• Various Generations
• Both sad and happy occasions (Death/ Marriage)
• Stereotypical good and bad characters.
• Twists 
• Social Realism 
• Escapism for viewers
• Heavy dialogue 
• Dramatic 
• Chronological 
• Mysterious Past lives
• Sense of Community 
• A build up to a main event
• Everyone knowing every one's business 
• Dramatic Irony 
• Beginning and end theme tune is the same (this is to identify the brand and brings viewers into the world of that soap)
• Recognisable setting 
• Ordinary people
• Story lines are constantly switching.