Action Plot | Challenge Brief
Engage! Learning | Learner Resources
Jacob Davis, Theatre Professor
Tyler Junior College
September 15, 2014
Jennifer Brewer’s 8th Grade Language Arts Students
Alvin Jr. High
Dear Ms. Brewer’s students,
I am a professor of theatre at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. I teach numerous acting classes as well as direct theatre students in fullyrealized productions. This year in my acting classes most of my students are looking to work with cutting edge contemporary drama. My students
are having the problem of only finding plays and scenes that have already been done numerous times. I cannot find enough original new drama for
these students to rehearse and perform. What I would ask of you all is to create new dramatic scripts based off of your summer reading so that my
students can use those original dramas to rehearse and perform.
Challenge:
Mr. Davis' college theatre class needs a script for a play. How would you create a play from your Summer Reading?
Project Requirements:
1. Create a timeline of important events that include all elements of a plot diagram.
2. Create a Character Investigation using provided document.
3. Create a Theme Investigation using provided document.
4. Write a script that includes dialogue, staging, visual, and sound techniques.
Sincerely,
Jacob Davis
Tyler Junior College
learner packet | secondary template
Engage Learning Inc. © 2012
1
Action Plot | Project Rubric
Engage! Learning | Learner Resources
1 initiating
2 approaching
3 meeting expectations
4 exceeding
progress
expectations
List some visual
List some visual and
interpret how visual and sound
demonstrate how visual
and sound
sound techniques in
techniques influence a
and sound techniques
(e.g., special effects, camera angles,
techniques but are
script, may or may not
message
influence a message
lighting, music) influence the message
not included in
help with message.
English Language Arts & Reading 8.13.B
interpret how visual and sound techniques
expectations
script.
English Language Arts & Reading 8.5.0
Be able to define
Identify structure,
includes structure, elements of
The structure, elements
structure, elements
elements of drama,
drama, protagonist, antagonist,
of drama, protagonist,
draw conclusions about the structure and
of drama,
protagonist, antagonist,
staging, and dialogue within
antagonist, staging, and
elements of drama and provide evidence
protagonist,
staging, and dialogue
their script.
dialogue within their
from text to support their understanding.
antagonist,
after reading a play.
Students are expected to analyze how
dialogue, and
different playwrights characterize their
staging.
Students understand, make inferences and
script while heightening
the tone and mood.
protagonists and antagonists through the
dialogue and staging of their plays.
English Language Arts & Reading 8.6.A
analyze linear plot developments (e.g.,
conflict, rising action, falling action,
Can identify the
Can identify the
Write a script to using all
Write a script that
elements of plot
elements of plot and
elements of plot and conflict/
includes intricate plots
within a story.
conflict/ resolution within
resolution.
and subplots with
an story.
learner packet | secondary template
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resolution, subplots) to determine whether
complex conflicts and
and how conflicts are resolved
resolutions.
English Language Arts & Reading 8.6.B
Can identify central
Can use evidence to
Write a script that includes
Write a script that
characters, theme,
prove how a central
characterization that allows the
involves complex
qualities influence the theme of a fictional
and central conflict
character influences the
reader understand how the
characters that influence
work and resolution of the central conflict
of a short story.
theme of a work.
central character influences the
multiple themes and
theme of a fictional work and
contribute to multiple
how the central conflict is
conflict resolutions.
analyze how the central characters'
resolved.
learner packet | secondary template
Engage Learning Inc. © 2012
3