Starter quiz
- What is a script?
- a type of novel
- a written text for performance ✓
- a poetry collection
- a biography
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- What term describes the spoken words between characters in a script?
- monologue
- dialogue ✓
- epilogue
- prologue
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- What does the term 'scene' refer to in a script?
- a character's role
- a major division within a play
- a subdivision of an act ✓
- a stage direction
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- What is an 'act' in a play?
- a character's role
- a major division within a play ✓
- a stage direction
- a type of dialogue
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- What is the main purpose of a script?
- to tell a story through pictures
- to be read silently by readers
- to provide dialogue and instructions for performance ✓
- to describe historical events
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- If 'The Twisted Tree' was turned into a play, the opening stage directions would outline the setting in detail. Which of the below would be correct?
- The story takes place in Norway. ✓
- The story takes place in summer.
- The story takes place in the 1950s. ✓
- The story takes place in a remote setting. ✓
- The story takes place across multiple decades.
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Exit quiz
- What is being described here: 'the written text of a play, including dialogue and instructions for performance.'?
- 'script' ✓
- Which of these is NOT a feature of a script?
- character names
- detailed narrative descriptions ✓
- dialogue
- stage directions
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- Which of the below is correct?
- an act is made up of multiple scenes ✓
- a scene is made up of multiple acts
- acts and scenes are different names for the same thing
- an act always follows a scene
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- What are the purpose of stage directions in a script for actors?
- to help them remember their lines
- to tell actors how to move and speak ✓
- to give the reader background information about them
- to give them a cue about the emotion to use when delivering a line ✓
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- Plays often begin with detailed stage directions of the setting. Why?
- It gives us an indication of when and where the action takes place. ✓
- It gives us an indication of the atmosphere and mood of the story. ✓
- It introduces us to the characters and their world. ✓
- It gives us an indication of how long the play will be.
- It gives background information and context about the writer.
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- Match these terms related to script writing to their definitions.
- scene⇔a subdivision of an act, typically set in a single location and time ✓
- act⇔a major division within a play, often encompassing several scenes ✓
- dialogue⇔the spoken words between characters in a play ✓
- stage directions⇔instructions in the script that tell actors what to do ✓
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- A script contains stage directions, character names and dialogue.
- Scripts are structured for performance and must be formatted differently from prose.
- Stage directions provide instructions for actors on movement, behaviour and speech.
- Characters are clearly identified in a script with profiles and names labelled for dialogue.
- Setting the scene in a script includes detailed descriptions of time, place and atmosphere.
Common misconception
A script is just dialogue between characters and doesn't need any other elements
While dialogue is a crucial part of a script, it's not the only component. A script also includes stage directions, which provide important instructions on how actors should move, behave, and speak.
Keywords
Script - the written text of a play, including dialogue and instructions for performance
Stage directions - instructions in the script that tell actors where to go, how to move and how to speak
Dialogue - the spoken words between characters in a play
Act - a major division within a play, often encompassing several scenes
Scene - a subdivision of an act, typically set in a single location and time
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