McCulloch

Scriptwriting Unit
Lesson One (1 class)

Focus: Character Development; Dramatic Structure

Give out Character Sketch and Dramatic Structure graphic organizers at the beginning of
class. Tell students to put them away and that we will be using them later in the class.
Character Profiles:
1. Students will be put into pairs.
2. I will assign each pair a line from other plays and I will tell students that they have to
complete the Character Sketch graphic organizers in their pairs.
Prior to starting, I will define qualities and provide them with examples.
Students will then imagine what kind of person would say those lines.
Each group must complete 2 Character Sketch graphic organizers.
With their character sketches in mind, students will write a sentence for each of the following
elements in the space provided on their Character Sketch graphic organizers:
i.
The characters want something
ii.
The characters try to get it
iii.
The characters run into a problem or obstacle
iv. The characters succeed or fail to get what they want
v. The characters change as a result of the effort
Dramatic Structure:
1. Students will be asked to take out the Dramatic Structure graphic organizer that was
handed out at the beginning of the class.
2. Students will be asked to define the important elements of dramatic structure and write
the definitions on the graphic organizer in the space provided.
3. Students will then complete the graphic organizer based on the sentences they wrote for
each dramatic element.
4. I will then pick up all the graphic organizers.
Lesson Two (1 class)
Focus: Setting Development (Storyboards); Narrative vs. Dialogue
Return students Character Sketch and Dramatic Structure graphic organizers.
Hand out Storyboards to each pair.
Setting Development
1. Ask students what the importance of setting is in drama.
2. Explain to the class what a storyboard is by completing an example on the Smart Board.
I will explain that the purpose of storyboards is to help directors know the action
sequences as well as to help actors see the actions they have to perform. Storyboards
also help directors and actors think about the setting and the props they will need.

McCulloch

Scriptwriting Unit

3. Students will then have time to complete the storyboards for their scripts based on the
sentences they wrote for each element of dramatic structure. I will explain that each box
in their storyboard corresponds to an element of dramatic structure.
Script Formatting: (Part One)
1. Hook: show students short clips of both narratives and dialogues.
2. Discuss the differences between the two as a class.
*If there is time left over, organize an improv dialogue game with the whole class. I will bring in
random objects such as an apple, a painting, etc. In pairs, students will pick an object, will have a
minute to prepare a short dialogue, and will then present to the class. I will be looking at how
they develop their characters as well as how they establish the setting for their audience.
Lesson Three (2 classes)
Format of a Script
Model:
Hook: watch the performance of a script before giving out the script.
Hand out the script of the performance we just watched to students. As a class, perform a
class reading of the script. I will be the narrator, reading the scene and character
descriptions as well as the actors actions.
Discuss the differences between the performance and the script.
Discuss how information is presented in a script:
Each scene begins with a heading, telling us where things are happening, when
they are happening, and where the action takes place. For example,
EXT. MOUNTAIN DAY
Each scene includes description heading, details of characters actions, which are
written in the present tense whenever something physical happens, and details of
the location
Practice:
Students will be given scripts in which the actors actions are left blank in parentheses.
Students will read through the lines quietly and independently.
Their task is to complete the script by filling in the necessary actions for each character.
As a class, we will then review the actions of the actors.
Assessment:
Distribute blank outlines and rubrics for students scripts.
Explain to students that their task will be to write a script for a scene using the character
profiles, storyboards, and dramatic structure they completed in the previous classes.
Explain to students how they have already written the character and setting details, and
how this information goes at the beginning of the scripts for their scenes.
Students will have the remainder of this class as well as the next class to complete and
polish their scripts.
Final Assignment: Script based on Dialogue
Length: each character must have a minimum of 20 lines each

McCulloch

Scriptwriting Unit

Due: November 25th, 2015; must be submitted once they have performed their dress
rehearsals
Final class: November 25th (1 class)
Students will take this last class to rehearse their dialogues.
The dress rehearsals will be graded using the same rubric as with every presentation.