One Scene Play assignment

You and another class member will write a short play.  The play may be one or two pages long.

Directions:
You and your partner will get together and create a plan for the play.  Some possible ways to go about creating the story are:

• Eavesdropping on conversations in restaurants, stores, or other public places
• Searching the newspaper for an interesting story to dramatize
• An event that occurred to one of you
• A story from your imagination
• Avoid basing characters/stories on movies or TV shows.

After you have the story, make sure and include the ingredients and format noted below as you type up the scene.

• Proofread carefully.  Do not turn in first drafts.  Scenes that have not been proofread will receive only half credit.  Check the Dictionary for correct spellings and word usages.
• Handwritten plays will not be accepted.

Ingredients:

• Two characters (although you can include up to four if needed)
• One very simple conflict
• brief exposition
• An inciting incident (asks the major dramatic question)
• Rising action
• Climax (answers the major dramatic question)
• Resolution

Format

• Character Name should be to the left of his/her line, followed by a colon.  Example:
  Jim: Hi Mary.  Why are you aiming a gun at me?
• Make sure that the dialogue carries the action of the play.  Avoid narration or writing out the story.
• Write stage directions in italics and place them in parentheses; for example:
  (Jim trips and falls).
  Note: Use stage directions sparingly, only for actions that are required for the lines to make sense.
• Type the title at the top of the page with your names directly beneath the title.  Include the names of both playwrights.
  Note: If your partner failed to contribute, the three of us should meet to determine whether your partner must write his/her own scene to get credit.

Grading:

• Format: 10 points
• Ingredients: 40 points

Don’t panic about this assignment.  Just follow the directions and you’ll be fine.

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