ENGL&151/152/153 – Creative Writing (Online)
Major Genre Assignment #3: Five-Minute Scene
Assignment: For the third major genre assignment of the quarter you will write a five-minute
scene of stage drama. Essentially, this dramatic form is defined by its focus, economy of set and
characterization, and limited scope. Your scene will involve:

One setting

No transitions in time

Three or fewer characters
To be successful with this assignment, you will need to be aware of the difference between the
terms dramatic and cinematic. The first word refers to what happens live, in front of an
audience, on a stage. It is bound by the laws of physics and real life dimensions of the stage.
This is what you will be writing. The other word refers to what happens in movies, with car
chases, close-ups, special effects, fade-outs and flashbacks, sweeping landscape shots, etc. Your
scenes will need to be dramatic rather than cinematic.
Requirements
Typed, 1-in margins, 12-pt font
Heading on the first page
Title
5-6 pages (generally, one page = one minute of stage time)
Follow the Drama Format at the end of Chapter 11 in Burroway
Important Dates:
Rough Draft due Wednesday November 25 at 11:59 PM
Final Draft due Wednesday December 2 at 11:59 PM