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Unit in Distance Learning Curriculum

Playwriting: Part 2

Created by Lindsay Price

11 lessons

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 2.

You can continue the playwriting process from Part 1 by having students apply what they’ve learned through writing a five- to 10-page play. Or, if your students are familiar with the playwriting elements, perhaps they just do Part 2 of this unit. Students will write a first draft, revise, give and receive feedback, and read their work aloud. The unit assumes that either students have completed Part 1 or they already have a grounding in the playwriting form.

Start here
The overview lays out the lessons within the unit, including time management and technology requirements.
  1. 1
    Lesson 1
    Session 1: Playwriting Project Introduction
    Students will receive the criteria for their play project and start work on their outline.
  2. 2
    Lesson 2
    Session 2: First Draft Writing
    Students will outline and begin writing their first draft.
  3. 3
    Lesson 3
    Session 3: What is Theatricality?
    Students will discuss the question “What is theatricality?” in terms of what makes a play stageable. Students continue to work on their first draft.
  4. 4
    Lesson 4
    Session 4: How Do You Give/Receive Feedback?
    Students will discuss and examine how to give and receive feedback. Then students will read their first draft aloud and receive feedback on it.
  5. 5
    Lesson 5
    Session 5: First Draft Submission
    The first draft is due in this class. Students will have time to work and then submit.
  6. 6
    Lesson 6
    Session 6: Post-First Draft Questions
    Students are given time to work on their second draft. Students also review the Post-First Draft Questions to apply critical thinking skills to their draft.
  7. 7
    Lesson 7
    Session 7: In-Depth Character Profile
    Students are given time to work on their second draft. Students will receive an In-depth Character Profile sheet to help them apply critical thinking skills to their draft.
  8. 8
    Lesson 8
    Session 8: Feedback 2
    Students are given time to work on their second draft. Students also give and receive feedback on their draft.
  9. 9
    Lesson 9
    Session 9: Final Writing Day
    This is the last class session students have to work on their plays.
  10. 10-11
    Lesson 10-11
    Sessions 10 & 11: Practice, Staged Reading, Reflection
    In these last two sessions, students will focus on the performance aspect of playwriting. Students will practice in groups, present an online staged reading, and reflect on their experience with the unit.

Standards Addressed

Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art - Grade 7

Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art - Grade 8

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

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 6

Refine new work through play, drama processes and theatre experiences using critical analysis and experimentation - Grade 8

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