【单选题】

Which of the following best describes the relationship of the first paragraph of the passage to the passage as a whole

A、It provides a group of specific examples from which generalizations concerning the nature of drama are drawn later in the passage.
B、It explains principles concerning one aspect of tragedy, which are followed later by principles for other aspects.
C、It defines terms of dramatic principles that are more thoroughly explained later in the passage.
D、It briefly compares and contrasts the principles of drama that are examined in detail later in the passage.
E、It explains a method of judging a work of drama, a method that is used later in the passage.