Read the definitions carefully and find examples in the story of each term.
1) The SETTING is the time and place of a story. What is the time and place of the story?
2) A THEME is the general meaning or message in a piece of writing. Themes can be things like forbidden love, family relationships, growing up/coming of age, finding one’s identity, etc. What do you think the themes are in this story?
3) PLOT is the story line in a piece of writing. What is the general story line or plot of the story? Write a summary of the plot. Use the plot line chart to describe the general story line.
4) SYMBOLS are when one thing (like a heart) stands for something greater or more abstract (like love). Other examples are books symbolizing knowledge or doves symbolizing peace. What are some symbols in this story?
5) The PROTAGONIST is the hero or heroine in the story and the ANTAGONIST is the enemy or the villain. Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist in this story?
6) The TONE of the story is the attitude on the part of a character, narrator or author, usually via word choice and acts as the “voice” of the story. Is the attitude formal, informal, businesslike, explanatory, descriptive, demanding, conversational, sarcastic, witty, or something else?
7) MOOD is the feeling or atmosphere in a story. Is the mood romantic, dark, scary, serious, joyful, light-hearted, mysterious, humorous, or something else?
8) FORESHADOWING is a hint or clue to something that comes later in the story. Usually it is something suspenseful or challenging. Give one example of foreshadowing in the story.
9) DICTION is the style of language or words in the story. Is it formal English or everyday English? Is there slang or use of another language? Is it easy to understand or full of difficult words?
10) The CLIMAX of the story is the highest point of action before the action begins to dip down. What is the climax of the story?
11) The RESOLUTION is the final point of the story where the conflict is resolved or the story is concluded (ended). What happens at the end of the story? Are any problems solved? Does it end happily?
5.29.2009
5.13.2009
Screenplay Outline due by end of period!!
Screenplay Outline (based on a short story, play or a new direction!!!)
Names:_______________________________________
Topic___________________________________Genre_________________
Theme_______________________________________________________
Working Title__________________________________________________
Screenplay Outline (Subject to change as you begin writing the play.)
Setting (time and place)
List the Major Characters & Give Descriptions
What is happening (general plot idea) in this screenplay?
What is the major struggle, conflict, or problem?
What is the main theme? What are you trying to convey to the audience?
What will be the climax or turning point of this screenplay?
How might this screenplay end?
Names:_______________________________________
Topic___________________________________Genre_________________
Theme_______________________________________________________
Working Title__________________________________________________
Screenplay Outline (Subject to change as you begin writing the play.)
Setting (time and place)
List the Major Characters & Give Descriptions
What is happening (general plot idea) in this screenplay?
What is the major struggle, conflict, or problem?
What is the main theme? What are you trying to convey to the audience?
What will be the climax or turning point of this screenplay?
How might this screenplay end?
5.11.2009
Response to Movie Scripts and Screenwriting style: Due Wednesday May 13th
Response to Movie Scripts: see Mrs. Crutchfield's blog for details.
Screenwriting style: Get hardcopy from me, link to Interview with a Vampire can be found on Mrs. Crutchfield's blog.
Screenwriting style: Get hardcopy from me, link to Interview with a Vampire can be found on Mrs. Crutchfield's blog.
4.29.2009
Play Outline (5 points)
Names:_______________________________________
Topic___________________________________Genre_________________
Theme_______________________________________________________
Working Title__________________________________________________
Play Outline (Subject to change as you begin writing the play.)
Setting (time and place)
2 Characters & Descriptions
(Limit your number of characters!) 1.
2.
3.
4.
What is happening (general plot idea) in this play? All action should be written with the stage and live performance in mind.
What is the major struggle, conflict, or problem?
What will be the climax or turning point of this play?
How might this play end?
Scene Ideas
Act 1
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Topic___________________________________Genre_________________
Theme_______________________________________________________
Working Title__________________________________________________
Play Outline (Subject to change as you begin writing the play.)
Setting (time and place)
2 Characters & Descriptions
(Limit your number of characters!) 1.
2.
3.
4.
What is happening (general plot idea) in this play? All action should be written with the stage and live performance in mind.
What is the major struggle, conflict, or problem?
What will be the climax or turning point of this play?
How might this play end?
Scene Ideas
Act 1
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Journal—Renew/Review Your Idea Bank (about a page) 5 points
Write down your interests or passions.
Write down your favorite genres (sci-fi, adventure, romance, comedy, drama, mystery, etc.)
Write down social issues that concern you.
Write down political issues that concern you.
Write down issues with friends (including boyfriends or girlfriends) or family.
Write down moments, times or experiences in history that interest you.
Write about stories you wrote that could be turned into a short play.
Write down your favorite genres (sci-fi, adventure, romance, comedy, drama, mystery, etc.)
Write down social issues that concern you.
Write down political issues that concern you.
Write down issues with friends (including boyfriends or girlfriends) or family.
Write down moments, times or experiences in history that interest you.
Write about stories you wrote that could be turned into a short play.
4.27.2009
Reading Stage Plays
Part I—Journal
Journal—Write down 10 Things that really interest you (ie: listening to your ipod). Then write down how each interest could be turned into a conflict or dilemma for a stage play (not a movie!). Make sure you do this for each interest no matter how challenging.
Part II-Reading Stage Plays
Read 3 Ten Minute Plays—You may choose from any of the websites below. Try to find plays that interest you as models for your own writing.
http://www.hitplays.com/default.aspx?pg=sl&stc=TMP&cl=Ten+Minute+Plays (the Previews show the entire script)
http://theatrehistory.com/plays/10minute.html
http://www.10-minute-plays.com/
http://www.geocities.com/pocolocoplayers/free.html
For each play you read write down the answers to these questions. You will have 3 sets of answers.
1. What is the setting?
2. What is the theme?
3. What is the mood?
4. Describe an important character.
5. What is the plot?
6. What is the major conflict?
7. How does it end or resolve?
Note: You will need to download Celtx onto your home computer soon—a free, good program to help you format your stageplay and screenplay.
http://www.celtx.com/
Journal—Write down 10 Things that really interest you (ie: listening to your ipod). Then write down how each interest could be turned into a conflict or dilemma for a stage play (not a movie!). Make sure you do this for each interest no matter how challenging.
Part II-Reading Stage Plays
Read 3 Ten Minute Plays—You may choose from any of the websites below. Try to find plays that interest you as models for your own writing.
http://www.hitplays.com/default.aspx?pg=sl&stc=TMP&cl=Ten+Minute+Plays (the Previews show the entire script)
http://theatrehistory.com/plays/10minute.html
http://www.10-minute-plays.com/
http://www.geocities.com/pocolocoplayers/free.html
For each play you read write down the answers to these questions. You will have 3 sets of answers.
1. What is the setting?
2. What is the theme?
3. What is the mood?
4. Describe an important character.
5. What is the plot?
6. What is the major conflict?
7. How does it end or resolve?
Note: You will need to download Celtx onto your home computer soon—a free, good program to help you format your stageplay and screenplay.
http://www.celtx.com/
4.23.2009
Final Project Screen Play : Due May 29th
The Screenplay Project—Due on Friday, May 29th
(100 points)
Important Note: The finished, typed screenplay must be ready to turn in when class starts on Friday or you lose 20 points off the top!
One day late (or more) is ½ credit.
1) Work individually or with a partner.
2) The final script will be 15-20 pages typed. Don’t panic! There is a lot of white space in a script. Your script must follow the screenplay style and format as seen in other screenplays and from screenwriting assignments: Single spaced with double spacing between character speaking parts. Use the downloadable CELTX screenwriting program to help guide you.
3) The final screenplay must be original writing—you may extend your play or adapt one of your short stories.
4) Do not plagiarize from another movie or TV show. Please keep your screenplays appropriate. No racism, sexism, homophobia, illegal drug references, extreme violence or explicit sexual scenes.
5) Your screenplay should have a beginning, middle, and end. You must have authentic sounding dialogue, strong, believable characters, a good storyline, conflict, and a resolution or some type of ending for the script.
6) Some class time will be dedicated to the screenplay writing and outlining, but plan on writing the bulk of the screenplay on your own time.
7) When planning your screenplay, make sure you consider a setting, characters, plot and resolution that are different or alternative to the usual Hollywood movies.
8) A 15 page screenplay is about a 15 minute movie since each page roughly equals one minute of movie time.
9) You may also write an original TV show episode or a musical screenplay.
(100 points)
Important Note: The finished, typed screenplay must be ready to turn in when class starts on Friday or you lose 20 points off the top!
One day late (or more) is ½ credit.
1) Work individually or with a partner.
2) The final script will be 15-20 pages typed. Don’t panic! There is a lot of white space in a script. Your script must follow the screenplay style and format as seen in other screenplays and from screenwriting assignments: Single spaced with double spacing between character speaking parts. Use the downloadable CELTX screenwriting program to help guide you.
3) The final screenplay must be original writing—you may extend your play or adapt one of your short stories.
4) Do not plagiarize from another movie or TV show. Please keep your screenplays appropriate. No racism, sexism, homophobia, illegal drug references, extreme violence or explicit sexual scenes.
5) Your screenplay should have a beginning, middle, and end. You must have authentic sounding dialogue, strong, believable characters, a good storyline, conflict, and a resolution or some type of ending for the script.
6) Some class time will be dedicated to the screenplay writing and outlining, but plan on writing the bulk of the screenplay on your own time.
7) When planning your screenplay, make sure you consider a setting, characters, plot and resolution that are different or alternative to the usual Hollywood movies.
8) A 15 page screenplay is about a 15 minute movie since each page roughly equals one minute of movie time.
9) You may also write an original TV show episode or a musical screenplay.
One Act Play: Due Monday May 4th
You will write a One Act 5+ page stage play with a partner or individually. This
} This will be written for high school students to possibly perform at school. Keep it appropriate or no credit.
} Five pages=Five minutes because of the way the play is formatted. Use Celtx—a free download to help you format your stage play and screenplay. See my blog for download information. http://celtx.com/download.html
Elements of Your Play/Rubric (60 pts)
} ___(10 pt.) Well-written, revised & edited. Professional quality. Appropriate for high school performance.
} ___(10 pt.) Written for the stage/live performance—no special effects or complicated movie effects. Includes props and stage direction. Setting is clear and fits the play.
} ___(5 pt.) Hook—Gets right into the action. Grabs your audience’s attention.
} ___(10 pt.) Believable characters with authentic dialogue that flows well.
} ___(10 pt.) One dilemma/conflict that is climatic.
} ___(5 pt.) Has resolution or satisfactory ending.
} ___(10 pts) In play format. Use Celtx.
} The character list is not included in the 5 pages!
Sample Structure of the One Act Play
Act 1
} Setting
} Scene 1—hook the audience, establish mood, characters and conflict, rising action (beginning)
} Scene 2—climax and maybe falling action (middle)
} Scene 3—falling action and resolution (end)
You will have anywhere from 1-3 scenes for a 5+ page play. Don’t make the scenes too short because it is difficult to get actors on and off the stage quickly.
} This will be written for high school students to possibly perform at school. Keep it appropriate or no credit.
} Five pages=Five minutes because of the way the play is formatted. Use Celtx—a free download to help you format your stage play and screenplay. See my blog for download information. http://celtx.com/download.html
Elements of Your Play/Rubric (60 pts)
} ___(10 pt.) Well-written, revised & edited. Professional quality. Appropriate for high school performance.
} ___(10 pt.) Written for the stage/live performance—no special effects or complicated movie effects. Includes props and stage direction. Setting is clear and fits the play.
} ___(5 pt.) Hook—Gets right into the action. Grabs your audience’s attention.
} ___(10 pt.) Believable characters with authentic dialogue that flows well.
} ___(10 pt.) One dilemma/conflict that is climatic.
} ___(5 pt.) Has resolution or satisfactory ending.
} ___(10 pts) In play format. Use Celtx.
} The character list is not included in the 5 pages!
Sample Structure of the One Act Play
Act 1
} Setting
} Scene 1—hook the audience, establish mood, characters and conflict, rising action (beginning)
} Scene 2—climax and maybe falling action (middle)
} Scene 3—falling action and resolution (end)
You will have anywhere from 1-3 scenes for a 5+ page play. Don’t make the scenes too short because it is difficult to get actors on and off the stage quickly.
4.02.2009
The Art of Dialogue Short Story: Due Wednesday April 8th
Outline a fictional scene that includes two characters, a setting, and a conflict. You may choose to use any examples from the graphic organizer or come up with new a setting, new characters, and a new conflict.
Give a brief summary of what is happening and make sure the conflict is clearly stated.
Then rewrite the scene using mainly dialogue. Use the dialogue between the two characters to create emotion, mood, and conflict. Do not explicitly reveal what the conflict is. Use a narrator to describe the setting and the actions of the characters but nothing else.
Your Story should be AT LEAST 2 pages in length.
Please use quotation marks.
Remember, using slang and vernacular makes dialogue sound real and can add to the conflict, mood, and emotion of the story.
Use “Hills Like White Elephants” as your reference.
Give a brief summary of what is happening and make sure the conflict is clearly stated.
Then rewrite the scene using mainly dialogue. Use the dialogue between the two characters to create emotion, mood, and conflict. Do not explicitly reveal what the conflict is. Use a narrator to describe the setting and the actions of the characters but nothing else.
Your Story should be AT LEAST 2 pages in length.
Please use quotation marks.
Remember, using slang and vernacular makes dialogue sound real and can add to the conflict, mood, and emotion of the story.
Use “Hills Like White Elephants” as your reference.
3.31.2009
Writing What Others Say: Due Friday April 3rd
Go to 5 different places.
Write down bits of conversations you hear.
Don't be obvious!
Use quotation marks. Should be AT LEAST 1-2 pages.
Example:
"I'm Tired."
"So am I."
"How much longer do we have of this class"
"Five minutes till 11:58."
"That's chill."
"Yeah."
"What are you doing this weekend."
"Raging."
Taken from a conversation between two juniors in the library.
Write down bits of conversations you hear.
Don't be obvious!
Use quotation marks. Should be AT LEAST 1-2 pages.
Example:
"I'm Tired."
"So am I."
"How much longer do we have of this class"
"Five minutes till 11:58."
"That's chill."
"Yeah."
"What are you doing this weekend."
"Raging."
Taken from a conversation between two juniors in the library.
3.30.2009
Slang Reflection: Due Friday April 3rd
After watching the video clips and discussing the duality between language and stereotyping, write a one page reflection on how you perceive yourself in regards to the language you use. Address the following questions:
-Are you aware of the amount of slang you use in a day?
-Do you speak differently to your teachers than your friends? Why do you think you do this?
-Are you in control of how you communicate or are you a product of your environment?
video clips:
Surfer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5j4McFzies&feature=related
“Like”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww_weYtmtwA&feature=related
AX or ASK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_KKLkmIrDk&feature=related
Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otA7tjinFX4
-Are you aware of the amount of slang you use in a day?
-Do you speak differently to your teachers than your friends? Why do you think you do this?
-Are you in control of how you communicate or are you a product of your environment?
video clips:
Surfer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5j4McFzies&feature=related
“Like”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww_weYtmtwA&feature=related
AX or ASK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_KKLkmIrDk&feature=related
Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otA7tjinFX4
3.16.2009
Short Story Reflection Due: Friday March 20th with Short Story Project
Please answer each question and attach to your Short Story Project:
Short Story Reflection:
1.What is the central theme of your story?
2.What are you trying to convey to the reader about your theme?
3.Why did you choose to write about your specific theme?
4.What have you learned about your writing process during the short story project?
5.What part of creating the story came easy for you?
6.What aspects of the story were difficult for you?
7.How did workshopping help your creative writing process?
8.What do you feel confident about in your creative writing?
Short Story Reflection:
1.What is the central theme of your story?
2.What are you trying to convey to the reader about your theme?
3.Why did you choose to write about your specific theme?
4.What have you learned about your writing process during the short story project?
5.What part of creating the story came easy for you?
6.What aspects of the story were difficult for you?
7.How did workshopping help your creative writing process?
8.What do you feel confident about in your creative writing?
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