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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.
  1. 1
    Lesson 1
    Structure
    Students begin their exploration of playwriting by learning about structure and applying the elements in a writing exercise.
  2. 2
    Lesson 2
    Dialogue
    Students continue their exploration of playwriting by learning about dialogue and applying their knowledge through a group playwriting exercise.
  3. 3
    Lesson 3
    Stage Directions
    Students 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.
  4. 4
    Lesson 4
    Character Dialogue and Development
    Students continue their exploration of playwriting by learning about character dialogue and applying character details into a letter exercise.
  5. 5
    Lesson 5
    The Unities
    Students continue their exploration of playwriting by learning about Aristotle’s Unities of time, place, and action. They apply the Unities in an improv.
  6. 6
    Lesson 6
    Writing: Part 1
    Students continue their exploration of playwriting by starting to write as a group.
  7. 7
    Lesson 7
    Writing: Part 2
    Students continue their exploration of playwriting by starting to write as a group.
  8. 8
    Lesson 8
    Unit Project
    Groups complete their scripts, format it properly, then hand it in. Next, they will perform their scene and complete a final reflection.

Standards Addressed

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