Using/Uploading WordPress

Hello! This may seem like a dumb question, and I ask that you please forgive me if it is.. When using WordPress, am I supposed to upload the file that I extracted to the FTP program for my website? I ask, because I am attempting to customize the template so that it won’t display headers, footers, and etc. All that I want is a simple grid pattern, which displays the most recent post at the top of the page, and the rest side-by-side in rows of two with the option to comment, along with the archives category so that my readers may review old posts. I am using an IFRAME layout with a very large custom graphic as the header, and would like to place my WordPress page inside of the IFRAME itself, which is why it is important that the page only display my writings, archives, categories, and etc. Any information that you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I truly thank you for taking the time to help me with this problem, and look forward to your response!