PD Course
How to Give Feedback to Student Playwrights
Created by Nicholas Pappas
The two big questions we’re going to answer in this course are: What is feedback? And, What is useful feedback? Now, if you asked a hundred people to answer these two questions, you’ll likely get a hundred different answers, but at its core, all the answers will focus on giving notes that will improve the work, which, in this case, is our student’s plays. And, as a teacher, that’s what your hope is, right? To help your students improve as writers, one work at a time.
We want our students to write, and to grow through their writing. If we want our students to get better, we need to get better. Understanding the definition of feedback, and understanding how to provide useful feedback is the key to all of us getting better.
Join Nick Pappas in this course designed to give you the tools to help your student writers find their voice.
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0Module 0Introduction6:14 FREE PREVIEWAn overview of the course goals and structure of the modules included.
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1Module 1Change Your Thinking16:11 FREE PREVIEWWe’re going to look at why we should move beyond the words “good and bad” in our feedback responses.
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2Module 2The Evaluate, Analytic, and Descriptive Modes of Response13:58We’re going to define these three modes of response, explore how we use them, and then we’re going to turn them upside down.
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3Module 3The Acid Burn and the Value of Asking Questions17:12We’re going to explore Acid Burns and what kinds of feedback questions help make the best second drafts.
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4Module 4The Feedback Workshop26:19This is the most important module because we’re going to bring all the modules together and I’m going to walk you through the feedback process I use with my student writers.
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5Module 5Wrap Up3:24This module wraps up the course.
Standards Addressed
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 6
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 7
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 8
Perceive and analyze artistic work - Grade HS Proficient
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Proficient
6.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
7.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
8.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Prof.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Prof.TH:Re7 Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Acc.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
6.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Prof.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
8.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Prof.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Adv.TH:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work.
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade
High School - Fundamental Pathway
- DT.H1.1.2.b Students Can: Investigate the collaborative nature of the actor, director, playwright, and designers to explore their interdependent roles in a drama/theatre work.
- DT.H1.3.1.a Students Can: Respond to what is seen, felt, and heard in a drama/theatre work to develop criteria for artistic choices.
Language
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.3 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
Language
Writing
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Critical Thinking & Reflection
- TH.68.C.1.2 Develop a character analysis to support artistic portrayal.
- TH.912.C.1.2 Create, refine, and sustain complex and believable characters for performance through the integration and application of artistic choices based on research, rehearsal, feedback, and refinement.
- TH.912.C.1.7 Justify personal perceptions of a director's vision and/or playwright's intent.
- TH.912.C.2.4 Collaborate with a team to outline several potential solutions to a design problem and rank them in order of likely success.
- TH.912.C.2.6 Assess a peer's artistic choices in a production as a foundation for one's own artistic growth.
- TH.912.C.2.7 Accept feedback from others, analyze it for validity, and apply suggestions appropriately to future performances or designs.
- TH.912.C.2.8 Improve a performance or project using various self-assessment tools, coaching, feedback, and/or constructive criticism.
Innovation, Technology & the Future
Organizational Structure
- TH.68.O.3.3 Discuss the collaborative nature of theatre and work together to create a scene or play, respecting group members' ideas and differences.
- TH.912.O.1.3 Execute the responsibilities of director, designer, manager, technician, or performer by applying standard theatrical conventions.
- TH.912.O.3.1 Analyze the methods of communication among directors, designers, stage managers, technicians, and actors that establish the most effective support of the creative process.
Skills, Techniques & Processes
- TH.68.S.2.1 Discuss the value of collaboration in theatre and work together to create a theatrical production.
- TH.68.S.3.2 Use the elements of dramatic form to stage a play.
- TH.912.S.1.3 Develop criteria that may be applied to the selection and performance of theatrical work.
- TH.912.S.1.5 Write monologues, scenes, and/or short plays using principles and elements of writing found in dramatic literature.
- TH.912.S.3.9 Research, analyze, and explain the processes that playwrights, directors, designers, and performers use when developing a work that conveys artistic intent.
Grade 7 - Creating
- TA7.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Identify and rehearse effective communication skills.<br/>b. Compare and contrast character types and relationships by analyzing character motivations, objectives, and goals.<br/>c. Compare the physical, emotional, vocal, and social dimensions of a character.<br/>d. Investigate the role and responsibility of the cast and crew.<br/>e. Identify and model ensemble skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>f. Utilize staging and blocking choices to enhance the performance.<br/>g. Compare, contrast, and design elements of technical theatre.<br/>h. Utilize theatre vocabulary throughout the rehearsal process.
- TA7.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Create ideas for stories.<br/>b. Analyze the theme and structure of a play.<br/>c. Use the dramatic writing process to generate a script.<br/>d. Utilize dramatic conventions in the scriptwriting process (e.g. stage directions, dialogue, scenes).
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Creating
- TAHSA.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Use script analysis in the development and presentation of formal and informal theatre performances.<br/>b. Examine various theories of dramatic structure.<br/>c. Engage in and apply meaningful cultural, literary, and historical research to create acting choices or directorial concepts.
- TAHSA.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Examine theatre practices regarding the development, structure, layout, and format of scripts.<br/>b. Use improvisation, personal experiences, heritage, imagination, literature, and history to develop scripts.<br/>c. Perform formal and informal monologues and scenes based on published and original scripts.
Grades 9-12 - ACTING LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Creating
- TAHSAD.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Examine various theories of dramatic structure.<br/>b. Engage in and apply meaningful cultural, literary, and historical research to create acting choices or directorial concepts.
- TAHSAD.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Utilize theatrical conventions to produce scripts based on personal experiences, imagination, literature, and history.
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
- TAHSFT.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Recognize and/or employ realistic and conventional speech patterns within dialogue or dramatic verse.<br/>b. Incorporate dramatic elements through improvisation.<br/>c. Recognize and interpret artistic choices in performance.
- TAHSFT.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Differentiate between dramatic and traditional literary writing and utilize common steps of the playwriting process.<br/>b. Assess the need for script analysis, concept development, and directorial and technical concerns of a theatrical script.<br/>c. Construct and critique elements of dramatic structure, character, and dialogue.<br/>d. Create and perform scenes for audiences.
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Performing
- TAHSMT.PR.1 Act and direct by communicating and sustaining roles within a variety of situations and environments.<br/>a. Examine and implement the skills and tasks associated with acting, singing, and dancing, incorporating vocal and movement technique, observation, and imagination to create characters for formal and informal performances.<br/>b. Identify and examine the responsibilities and tasks of an actor in relation to directors, designers, choreographers, technical crew, and production staff.<br/>c. Use the skills and tools of a director to develop a presentation of formal and informal musical theatre performances.<br/>d. Conduct rehearsals to present a musical theatre performance for a live audience.
- TAHSMT.PR.2 Execute artistic and technical elements of theatre.<br/>a. Engage as a creative team in script analysis to plan and create technical elements of a theatre production, including sets, props, costumes, makeup, lighting, and sound.
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Responding
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE MANAGEMENT - Creating
Seventh Grade Present
Eighth Grade Present
Beginning High School Create
Beginning High School Respond
Intermediate High School Present
Intermediate High School Respond
Accomplished High School Create
Advanced High School Present
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
Intermediate High School Standards - Communication
Proficient High School Standards - Communication
Advanced High School Standards - Communication
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.315 LI - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.315 LI - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.317 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
Playwriting - Drama 20
- 1 demonstrate understanding of the basic structure of a play
- 10 define conflict
- 11 construct a conflict between two characters (protagonist and antagonist)
- 12 construct a scene with two contrasting characters
- 13 give and accept constructive criticism
- 2 define and identify plot, character, thought and diction
- 3 demonstrate understanding of script format
- 4 generate and collect ideas that have dramatic possibilities
- 5 write a scenario
- 6 identify character types and their functions and attributes
- 7 demonstrate understanding if and write exposition
- 9 define character objectives
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Goal III Objectives
Junior Orientation
Senior Goal I Objectives
Senior Goal II Objectives
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Communicate and document
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
Grade 7 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing
Grade 7 - Creating and Presenting
Grade 8 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
- C.1.1 identify the drama forms, elements, conventions, and techniques used in their own and others’ drama works, and explain how the various components are used, or can be used, to achieve specific effects, with a focus on ensemble drama works (e.g., how a comic drama form can be used to convey a serious message, how setting and time period can be used to sharpen the focus on a moral dilemma, how characters can be used to vary the mood within a drama)
- C.1.3 demonstrate an understanding of production roles, practices, and terminology when planning and presenting drama works (e.g., set design, costume design, lighting plot, light cue sheet, sound cue sheet, prompt book, set sketch, set model)
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - The Critical Analysis Process
Grade 11 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grade 11 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
- B.3.1 identify the collaborative skills and techniques they used to produce ensemble drama works, and explain how they can be applied in a variety of other contexts
- B.3.2 analyse their use of the creative process in drama activities, and explain what they learned from it and how that learning can be applied in work and other social contexts
Grade Seven
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre
Theatre Arts II: Dramatic Literature And Theatre History
Theatre Arts III: Intermediate Acting & Playwriting
Theatre Arts IV: Advanced Acting And Directing
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