PRE-WRITING WORKSHOP
Script Writing
Get out your Guidelines and Rubric
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
Read over what you need for your script. Especially
focus on the RUBRIC
You will write a FORMAL script to turn in on
Monday. This script is exactly WHAT YOU WILL SAY
during your verbal presentation next quarter.
How long should it be?
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I can’t tell you that. There are a number of factors
involved including how fast you speak, whether
there is a “performance” component to your
presentation, etc.
THE KEY: Time yourself. Read the script out loud at a
normal speaking pace and see how long it takes. If
you end up UNDER 3 minutes, add to it. If you are
OVER 5 minutes, cut it down.
If you do have a performance piece (i.e. singing a
song etc.) be sure to include that in your timing.
Audience
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
Get out a piece of paper for prewriting
Consider your audience.
 To
whom are you PREDOMINANTLY directing your
presentation? Who else will be listening?
 What does my audience value?
 How can I best communicate with them?
 What would alienate them?

What register should you be in based on your
identified audience?
Purpose

Write a statement expressing your goal in giving
this presentation (Hint: “Because I have to in order
to graduate” is NOT the right answer ).
 What
do you want your audience to understand/know
about you?
 What impression do you want them to leave with?
Tip #2: Engage your audience
The first thirty seconds of your speech are probably the
most important. You must grab the attention of the
audience, and engage their interest in what you have to
say.
For example, you could raise a thought-provoking
question, make an interesting or controversial statement,
use a relevant quote or even tell a joke, if appropriate.
 Once you have hooked your audience, your speech
should move seamlessly to the body of your speech.

Your Artifact- Why did you create this?
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Your presentation revolves around your artifact, so
right now you need to direct your attention toward
whatever you created.
Draw your artifact (rough sketch is fine)
How does this connect to you? What made you
decide to create this specific item? (Don’t say
“Because it was all I could think of…” You should
have a better reason than that.)
Tying your artifact to your life
Characteristics Aspect of my
of your
artifact that
archetype you connects to this
plan to focus
element
on
Why?
How or why
do you reflect
this
characteristic?
Anecdote/
specific
example
Statement-Proof-Commentary
 For
each of the characteristics, you should have a clear
statement, proof to support your statement, and
commentary connecting your proof to your life.
 Using your chart CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY fill
out each section. If you said that “X” represents your
perseverance to excell in dance, now add what life
lessons you gained from that experience and HOW it
affected you or WHY it was so important.

Add a short anecdote or specific example for EACH
category. Simply saying that characteristic is important or
you are loyal isn’t enough. HOW did that happen? HOW,
WHEN or TOWARD WHOM have you exemplified that?
Putting it together

Introduction
This will NOT be a full introduction like you would write in an
essay.
 Introduce yourself
 Tell us what you made and BRIEFLY why you chose to make
it (the details should be part of the body)

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Your chart is the basis of your body paragraphs. When
you write, be sure to include all the aspects of the chart
to ensure full s-p-c.
Conclude

This can include your “Future Goals” element. Tell us where
you are going from here. Who you are and how you have
become that way has informed who you plan to be, so make
sure you connect it all together.
Tip #5: Write in a conversational tone
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Use short sentences. It’s better to write two simple
sentences than one long, complicated sentence.
Use contractions. Say “I’m,” “we’re,” etc.
Read your speech aloud while you’re writing it.
You’ll hear if you sound like a book or a real person
talking!
You can be conversational AND formal
Tip # 7: A few no-no’s
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Don’t overstate…
 “This
is absolutely and positively essential!”
 “It is indeed an honor and a privilege to address you”

Don’t grope…
 “What

I’m trying to get at is…” “What I mean is…”
Don’t be repetitive…
 “As
I said before,” “and so I again repeat,” “let me say
again”
For Monday:

FULL Draft of the script
 Introduction
 All
applicable characteristics included in the body
 Conclusion

Not acceptable as a draft:
 Outlines
 Incomplete
drafts