Drama Assignment

One Act Play Handouts.PDF

One Act Play Samples.PDF

For this assignment, you will create an original one-act play. Consider the following elements as you develop your work:

Drama should be fewer than 10, double-spaced pages long
Conflict should be easily identifiable from the beginning of the drama.
Character names should be centered on the page during dialogue.
Stage directions should be used to establish setting and character action.
Drama should end as soon as central conflict is resolved.
Suspense and dialogue should be used to move the plot forward.

I suggest the following steps as you work through this process:

1.) Choose a central conflict.

- The success of the play revolves around the conflict. It must be relatable and easily identifiable to the audience from the beginning.

2.) Choose a setting.

- Consider the conflict. Which settings will be appropriate? Remember that you must be able to reproduce the setting onstage. Include a detailed description of the set.

3.) Design your main character.

- Consider the conflict. Will the character overcome the conflict? Characters need to develop the plot in a credible way; personality traits should match their actions.

4.) Storyboard

- Sketch out the major events and scene changes in the drama on a visual storyboard. Include blocking for character movement and prop placement.

5.) Start at the beginning.

- Create a hook to engage the reader. Use dialogue to set up the background of the story. Include detailed stage directions for the actors.

6.) Middle of the road

- Work toward the climax of the drama. Create suspenseful dialogue.

7.) Resolution

- The play should end here, just after the conflict is resolved. End with a bang!

8.) Edit and review.

Element

Exemplary

Accomplished

Developing

Beginning

Plot

Structure

The play has one major conflict that is presented in the first scene & resolved in the final moments.

The play has one major conflict that is presented in the first scene & somewhat resolved in the end.

The play has one major conflict that eventually unfolds and/or a minor conflict that is unresolved.

The play lacks a clear conflict and/or the conflict does not progress logically throughout the scenes.

Character Development

The play contains a protagonist who exemplifies the qualities of the genre: either flawed heroism in a tragedy or quirky, unconventionality in a comedy. He/she manages to overcome at least one conflict in the story.

The play has a protagonist who displays some of the qualities of the genre: flawed heroism in a tragedy or unconventionality in a comedy. He/she addresses -but does not necessarily resolve- at least one conflict.

The play has a protagonist who overcomes at least one conflict in the story but does not have characteristics which match the qualities of the genre.

The play does not have a clear protagonist and/or does not contain a protagonist who overcomes a conflict.

Manuscript Form

The play carefully adheres to proper manuscript form (stage directions, centered text, character names, etc.)

The play mostly adheres to proper manuscript form (stage directions, centered text, character names, etc.)

The play somewhat adheres to proper manuscript form (stage directions, centered text, character names, etc.)

The does not adhere to proper manuscript form (stage directions, centered text, character names, etc.)

Dialogue

The play includes vivid, original dialogue with appropriate dialect that moves the plot forward & engages the audience.

The play includes good dialogue with appropriate dialect that moves the plot forward & entertains the audience.

The play includes average dialogue that moves the plot forward but does not contain original features or dialect.

The play includes unoriginal dialogue that either does not move the plot forward or does not interest the audience.

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