Drama Writing for another setting- begin with research

Task- write a play in a setting (historical time and place) besides our own, with at least 3 different characters, a strong sense of the setting, an identifiable conflict and at least 3 events that take place during the play.  The length of the final project must be at least 7 double spaced pages in a 12 point font- it must be typed.

I encourage you to work in pairs on this project.

Step 1- Research the Setting:  decide the when and where in the context of history.  Then, answer the following questions about that time and place.  You will be able to find most of this information on the internet.

What did the people of this time and place wear?
How did they travel?
What is their language like?
What events happened during their time?  List at least 3.
What kind of music and literature was popular during this time and place?
What did the average person during this time and place believe in, philosophically and/or religiously?

TURN IN THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS (above and below) TO ME FOR A GRADE- Either through e mail or on a piece of loose leaf paper.  Be sure to include all of your partner names in the subject of the email or on the paper.

Step 2 - Plot Outline and Characters (Cast): decide what will happen and what the characters are "like".

1.  List the characters, including their names, their personality qualities and their background.
2.  Create a diagram of the events that take place during the play- decide on how the play begins, ends and what happens in between.

Song?

1. Think of your favorite song lyrics- find them on the internet, if you are unable the remember them, in their entirety.  Remember to find and use appropriate lyrics for this activity.

2. On a a piece of loose leaf paper, a.write the intro (at least 5 lines), b.write the 5 best lines and c.write the chorus (repeated lines).

3. Using your own thoughts, or the Dear Me Journal entry from today, create your own song:
a. create an intro of 5 lines,
b. a chorus and
c. 5 "good" additional lines for your own song

- this should also be on the piece of loose leaf paper.

Homework- Finish this song, started in step 3, so that you can present it to a partner tomorrow.

Continuing Poetry- Beginning Poetic Forms

Playing with Poetic Patterns:

Try each of theses activities below.  After you have completed these, take a look at the work you have done and create at least two poems to send to my e mail.

Imagery

Construct a five line poem, consisting of at least three different types of sensory details(ie- sight, sound, touch, smell, taste) from a moment from your experience, in the space below.

Simile

Select a simile that is an appropriate comparison for any type of emotion and continue to define that emotion in a five line poem below.

Extended Metaphor/ Metaphor

Take the abstract idea of Nature or Spirituality and construct an apt metaphor for the idea.  Be sure that this metaphor makes use of the principle of comparison in such a way that defines the abstract idea specifically.

Personification

Create a monster for any emotion of your choosing.  Explain what it looks like, how it moves, what it sounds like, smells etc.  Be sure that this emotion is described and depicted fully.  You may use any form you choose.

Literary Form- Cinquain

Construct a Cinquain about any subject of your choosing.  Apply the form:

1.      Title noun

2.      Description of the noun

3.      Action

4.      Feeling or effect

5.      Synonym of the initial noun