Unit
in Drama One Curriculum
Playwriting
Created by Karen Loftus
8 lessons
playwriting
Students will explore the structural elements of a play: character, objective, obstacles, tactics, resolution, and raising the stakes. They will also learn how to write character-driven dialogue and stage directions. Students will work in groups to create and present a short play.
Start here
The overview lays out the structure of the unit, including objectives, materials list, lesson structure and assessment and time management tools.
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1Lesson 1StructureStudents begin their exploration of playwriting by learning about structure and applying the elements in a writing exercise.
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2Lesson 2DialogueStudents continue their exploration of playwriting by learning about dialogue and applying their knowledge through a group playwriting exercise.
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3Lesson 3Stage DirectionsStudents continue their exploration of playwriting by learning about stage directions, applying the elements to create a stage-directions scene, and applying tools to an open scene.
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4Lesson 4Character Dialogue and DevelopmentStudents continue their exploration of playwriting by learning about character dialogue and applying character details into a letter exercise.
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5Lesson 5The UnitiesStudents continue their exploration of playwriting by learning about Aristotle’s Unities of time, place, and action. They apply the Unities in an improv.
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6Lesson 6Writing: Part 1Students continue their exploration of playwriting by starting to write as a group.
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7Lesson 7Writing: Part 2Students continue their exploration of playwriting by starting to write as a group.
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8Lesson 8Unit ProjectGroups complete their scripts, format it properly, then hand it in. Next, they will perform their scene and complete a final reflection.
Standards Addressed
Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 7
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 8
Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - High School Accomplished
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 6
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade 7
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Advanced
7.TH:Pr4 Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
8.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work
Acc.TH:Cr1 Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
6.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
7.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Acc.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Adv.TH:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Seventh Grade
High School - Advanced Pathway
- DT.H2.1.1.c Students Can: Develop a character that is believable and authentic in a drama/theatre work based on personal experiences and knowledge.
- DT.H2.1.2.b Students Can: Cooperate as a creative team to make interpretive choices for a drama/theatre work.
- DT.H2.1.3.a Students Can: Choose and interpret a drama/theatre work to connect and question beliefs.
High School - Professional Pathway
- DT.H3.1.2.b Students Can: Collaborate as a creative team to discover artistic solutions and make interpretive choices in a devised or scripted drama/theatre work.
- DT.H3.1.3.a Students Can: Collaborate on a drama/theatre work that examines a critical global issue using multiple personal, community, and cultural perspectives.
Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1 Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
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.9-10.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
Critical Thinking & Reflection
- TH.68.C.1.2 Develop a character analysis to support artistic portrayal.
- TH.912.C.1.5 Make and defend conscious choices in the creation of a character that will fulfill anticipated audience response.
- TH.912.C.2.2 Construct imaginative, complex scripts and revise them in collaboration with actors to convey story and meaning to an audience.
- TH.912.C.2.6 Assess a peer's artistic choices in a production as a foundation for one's own artistic growth.
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.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.1.2 Invent a character with distinct behavior(s) based on observations of people in the real world and interact with others in a cast as the invented characters.
- TH.68.S.2.1 Discuss the value of collaboration in theatre and work together to create a theatrical production.
- TH.68.S.3.1 Develop characterizations, using basic acting skills, appropriate for selected dramatizations.
- 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.2.3 Demonstrate an understanding of a dramatic work by developing a character analysis for one or more of its major characters and show how the analysis clarifies the character's physical and emotional dimensions.
- TH.912.S.2.8 Strengthen acting skills by engaging in theatre games and improvisations.
Grade 6 - Creating
- TA6.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Identify artistic choices, utilize theatre vocabulary, and demonstrate non-verbal communication skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>b. Interpret a character’s motivation by understanding the relationship between their background and their behavior.<br/>c. Identify the variety of relationships between characters.<br/>d. Identify, define, and classify character traits.<br/>e. Recognize and demonstrate the roles, responsibilities, and skills associated with collaborative performance.<br/>f. Use resources to identify and create technical elements of theatre.
- TA6.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Identify the elements of a story.<br/>b. Identify the theme and structure of a play.<br/>c. Articulate creative ideas in oral and written forms.<br/>d. Use the dramatic writing process to generate a script.<br/>e. Demonstrate the conventions of dialogue and stage directions.
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).
Grade 8 - Creating
- TA8.CR.1 Organize, design, and refine theatrical work.<br/>a. Differentiate the physical, emotional, vocal, and social dimensions of a variety of characters.<br/>b. Compare the relationships and interactions between characters by analyzing character motivation (objectives, obstacles, strategy, action, stakes, outcome).<br/>c. Incorporate dramatic elements through improvisation.<br/>d. Connect theatre vocabulary to the application of theatre performance.<br/>e. Identify and demonstrate both ensemble and leadership skills in the rehearsal process.<br/>f. Evaluate the effectiveness of artistic and technical elements used in a theatre production.<br/>g. Design and create scenery, props, costumes, lighting, and sound.<br/>h. Assume different roles and responsibilities in the rehearsal process.
- TA8.CR.2 Develop scripts through theatrical techniques.<br/>a. Classify different points of view in a story.<br/>b. Identify, analyze, and articulate the structure of a script.<br/>c. Utilize improvisation techniques to generate script ideas.<br/>d. Use the dramatic writing process to generate a script.
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 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Creating
Grades 9-12 - ADVANCED DRAMA LEVELS I-IV -Performing
Grades 9-12 - FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Creating
Grades 9-12 - MUSICAL THEATRE LEVELS I-IV - Performing
Grades 9-12 - THEATRE HISTORY AND LITERATURE I AND II - Performing
Seventh Grade Present
Eighth Grade Create
Beginning High School Create
Intermediate High School Create
Accomplished High School Create
Advanced High School Create
Beginning High School Standards - Communication
Proficient High School Standards - Communication
Advanced High School Standards - Communication
Advanced High School Standards - Culture
MS 117.211 LI - Creative Expression: performance
MS 117.211 LI - Critical evaluation and response
MS 117.212 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
MS 117.212 LII - Creative Expression: performance
MS 117.212 LII - Critical evaluation and response
MS 117.213 LIII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.315 LI - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.315 LI - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.316 LII - Foundations: Inquiry and Understanding
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: performance
HS 117.316 LII - Creative Expression: production
HS 117.316 LII - Critical evaluation and response
HS 117.317 LIII - Creative Expression: performance
Improvisation Drama 10
Theatre Studies Drama 30 (Early or Middle or Late drama)
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
- 8 use effective diction
- 9 define character objectives
Improvisation/Acting Level III - Advanced
Junior Goal II Objectives
Junior Goal III Objectives
Junior Orientation
- demonstrate a willingness to take calculated and reasonable risks
- focus concentration on one task at a time
- generate imaginative and creative solutions to problems
- listen effectively
- offer and accept constructive criticism, given specific guidelines, with a desire to improve
- recognize the purposes of and participate in warmup activities
- share ideas confidently with others
- show awareness of story sequence
- support positivity the work of others
- work cooperatively and productively with all members of the class in pairs, small groups and large groups
Improvisation/Acting Level I - Beginning
- 6 understand and apply the essential elements of a story: character, setting, conflict, climax and plot
- 7 use stage vocabulary: stage areas, body positions and crosses
- 8 demonstrate appropriate rehearsal behaviours and routines
- 9 communicate a clear beginning, middle and end in spontaneous and planned scenes
Junior Goal I Objectives
- develop a positive self-image
- develop a sense of responsibility and commitment
- develop self-confidence
- develop self-discipline
- develop the ability to offer and accept constructive criticism
- develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
- extend the ability to think imaginatively and creatively
- strengthen powers of concentration
Theatre Studies Level III - Advanced (The script)
Senior Goal I Objectives
Orientation Drama 10
- concentrate on the task at hand
- demonstrate behaviour appropriate to given circumstances
- demonstrate effective use and management of time
- demonstrate self-discipline, self-direction and a sense of responsibility
- listen to self and others
- offer and accept constructive criticism with a desire to progress
- positively support the work of others
- share ideas confidently
- work cooperatively and productively
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
- Create artistic works collaboratively and as an individual using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, experimentation, and purposeful play
- Intentionally select and apply materials, movements, technologies, environments, tools, and techniques by combining and arranging artistic elements, processes, and principles in art making
GRADE 6 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
- Create artistic works collaboratively and as an individual using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, experimentation, and purposeful play
- Intentionally select and apply materials, movements, technologies, environments, tools, and techniques by combining and arranging artistic elements, processes, and principles in art making
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 7 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Exploring and creating
- Create artistic works collaboratively and as an individual using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, experimentation, and purposeful play
- Intentionally select and apply materials, movements, technologies, environments, tools, and techniques by combining and arranging artistic elements, processes, and principles in art making
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 8 - ARTS - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Exploring and creating
- Create dramatic works both collaboratively and as an individual, using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, and purposeful play
- Select and combine dramatic elements and principles to intentionally create a particular mood, effect, and meaning
- Take creative risks to experience and express thoughts, emotions, and meaning
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Reasoning and reflecting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Communicating and documenting
GRADE 9 - DRAMA - Connecting and expanding
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 10 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
- Develop a repertoire of dramatic skills and techniques through presentation or performance
- Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
- Explore and create dramatic works to express ideas, meaning, and emotions
- Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
- Purposefully select and combine dramatic elements and conventions
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 11 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Explore and Create
- Create, rehearse, and refine dramatic works through collaborative and individual presentation or performance
- Develop a repertoire of dramatic skills, vocabulary, and techniques through presentation or performance
- Develop and refine performance skills in a variety of contexts
- Explore and create dramatic works to express ideas, meaning, and emotions
- Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
- Intentionally select and combine dramatic elements and conventions
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Reason and reflect
GRADE 12 - DRAMA - Connect and expand
Grade 7 - Creating and Presenting
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
- C.3.2 identify and apply the skills and attitudes needed to perform various tasks and responsibilities in producing drama works (e.g., use active listening and cooperative problem-solving skills; practise punctuality; use tact in suggesting changes and improvements; demonstrate willingness to accept criticism and build consensus)
- C.3.3 demonstrate an understanding of theatre and audience etiquette, in both classroom and formal performance contexts (e.g., as a performer: show willingness to take direction and behave appropriately towards other actors; as a viewer: demonstrate respect for performers and other audience members by paying attention, not interrupting or talking, and applauding when appropriate)
Grades 9 & 10 - Foundations - Concepts and Terminology
Grades 9 & 10 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - Connections Beyond the Classroom
- B.3.1 identify and describe skills, attitudes, and strategies they used in collaborative drama activities (e.g., brainstorming, active listening, and cooperative problem-solving skills; strategies for sharing responsibility through collaborative team roles)
- B.3.3 identify connections between their learning in drama and possible employment opportunities in the broader educational and arts sectors (e.g., production and/or performance roles in community theatre, television/radio broadcasting, filmmaking)
Grades 9 & 10 - Creating and Presenting - Elements and Conventions
Grade 11 - Reflecting, Responding and Analyzing - The Critical Analysis Process
Grade 11 - Creating and Presenting - The Creative Process
Grade 12 - Foundations - Responsible Practices
Grade Six
Grade Seven
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 II: Dramatic Literature And Theatre History
Theatre Arts III: Intermediate Acting & Playwriting
Theatre Arts III: Intermediate Acting & Playwriting
Theatre Arts IV: Advanced Acting And Directing
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