Every drama program should have a playwriting unit. Playwriting applies creative thinking skills and, through feedback and revision, critical thinking skills. Playwriting also allows students to engage in self-expression. It is a powerful act to take one’s thoughts, give them to a character, and have them said aloud.
Playwriting can be a practical task-driven process that any student can accomplish, given the right parameters. This playwriting unit is broken into two parts. This unit is Part 1.
Part 1 is a standalone playwriting unit for beginning writers. Students go step by step through the elements of the playwriting process, which culminates in a short scene, monologue, and character profile. All the exercises can be done synchronously in your class sessions or small groups through breakout rooms.
Standards Addressed
National Core Arts Standards
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art - Grade 7
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade 8
TH:Re7.1.8.a - Apply criteria to the evaluation of artistic choices in a drama/theatre work.
Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art - Grade 8
TH:Cn10.1.8.a - Examine a community issue through multiple perspectives in a drama/theatre work.
Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art - Grade HS Proficient
Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art - Grade HS Accomplished
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work - Grade 6
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Proficient
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6
TH:Cr3.1.6.a - Articulate and examine choices to refine a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 8
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work - Grade HS Accomplished
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