Fun With Words: Aposiopesis
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Playwriting
Playwriting Exercise: Fun With Words Introduction
Here’s the deal. There are many words out there that mean a phrase, their definition is practically a sentence. I love those words, it’s so cool to take one word and have it mean so much. For example:
Aposiopesis : a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed.
That is a mouthful! And a word I’ve never heard of, let alone ever heard it used in a sentence. There’s a little more about the wordon dictionary.com: “A deliberate failure to complete a sentence…indicates rage or exasperation….”
That gets me thinking. I can see a character in that word. I can see a conversation in that word. I hope you’re starting to see the possibilities in turning words that mean so much into a playwriting exercise.
We’re going to take a word that has a jam-packed meaning and use it as the jumping off point for a two person, one location scene. But we’re going to take it one step further and use words from other languages, like this one:
Pana Po’o (Hawaiian) – the act of scratching your head in order to help you remember something you’ve forgotten.
So not only do you have a word that means a mouthful, but we’re using words that at first glance you have no idea what they mean.
Let’s start with Aposiopesis – that word is really speaking to me, so let’s make it the focus of this week’s exercise.
Playwriting Exercise• The word Aposiopesis means to suddenly and deliberately fail to complete a sentence. To break off mid-sentence.
• Write a scene between a husband and wife that takes place in the kitchen at 9am.
• The husband reveals to the wife. The wife reacts by not being able to complete a sentence. All her dialogue must break off mid-sentence.
• Make this a comedy.
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Tracy Nash
Drama Coach
Esparto High School
Esparto California
We love Theatrefolk and Lindsay Price. Last year we did Deck the Stage... it was fabulous! Deck the Stage is perfect for a high school production. Ms. Price's dialogue is witty and charming, with just the right measure of silliness that can really be hammed up.
I know this year's production of The Merrie Christmas Show will be just as successful as Deck the Stage.
Caitlin Herst, Student Performer, Boulder Creek High School
I recently saw your shout out to BCHS on your blog, as well as the podcast where you spoke to some of my classmates and fellow castmembers of Stroke Static. I played Ruthie in Stroke Static and The Prioress in The Canterbury Tales. I would like to take the time to let you know just how much that performance meant to me.
Participating in Stroke Static was by far one of the best, most rewarding, and life-changing experiences of my life so far. But even past that, the fact that we touched so many people in our performance really affected me. I sincerely wish that you could have been there to see it. It was truly magical.
I would like to thank you from the very bottom of my heart for the work you put into this play. I hope we made you proud!
Emily Conable, Alexander Central School
I was thrilled to find this version of Romeo and Juliet, and look forward to working on it. The length, and yet the quality of the edits in writing make it possible to even think about in our situation. Yea!
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