English 4 / Zappa
Spring „08
DRAMA: The Last Lap
For your final project, based on drama, you will choose one of the plays from our text, Telling
Tales. You will also choose a group with whom to work; groups must include a minimum of
three people and a maximum of four.
AS A GROUP:
1. You will give a presentation, five minutes of which will include an analysis of the play.
What is its significance? Why is it worth reading/seeing? (This will include SOME retelling,
so the audience understands, but main focus is on interpretation and evaluation.)
2. Choose a five-minute segment of the play to act out for us; this may be one scene or a
combination of a couple of short sections. It‟s very important that you choose carefully and
contextualize for us, since others in the class will probably not have read your play. Be
prepared to “set it up” and tell us, briefly, why you‟ve chosen this particular scene. As
directors, you should work to give us the “flavor” of the play; use props, costumes (or not); be
creative as you see fit, but do not simply read your part.
Your time in front of the class is relatively short (approximately 15 minutes), however, much
less than 12 minutes may indicate a lack of thoroughness. Though a group endeavor, you will
be graded individually for these presentations, so make sure you share the tasks and
everyone participates; note, especially, that EACH group member must participate in BOTH
of the above parts.
50 points
SOLO (the paper):
Your final paper (which also constitutes your final exam) is a two-three-page ANALYSIS of
the play you have chosen. Specifically, your primary emphasis will be, as always, on theme.
You may approach it in a number of ways (see over for thinking/process questions, not to be
answered directly). Please keep in mind that your paper should NOT include summary
(retelling). I have read the plays; you know by now how to tell the difference, and so be sure
your focus is on theme. Also, be sure your paper is an essay (in essay form, with a thesis,
support and a worthy conclusion) and clearly developed ideas, as opposed to random or
superficial (i.e., literal) observations. Avoid retelling the story and avoid stating the obvious
(this is, after all, your final).
Draft: Wed. May 21, TWO-page minimum, 20 points (be in class on time or lose points)
Final: Wed. May 28, TWO-pages, 100 points
NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED
~over~
Questions for consideration in interpreting drama:
1. What are the play‟s themes? How does the dramatic action embody those
themes?
2. Who are the principal characters in the play, and how are their distinctive
qualities conveyed? What is their relationship to theme(s)? Who are the minor
characters and how does their function relate to overall theme(s)?
3. How does the exposition establish dramatic irony--meaning, the ironic
response generated when the audience knows more than the characters? And
beyond the exposition?
4. How important is the setting of the play? Place yourself in the position of
director: What auditory and visual elements of your decisions will make a
difference to how an audience will read and understand the play?