Starter quiz
- What is being described here: 'the written text of a play, including dialogue and instructions for performance.'?
- Script ✓
- Scene
- Act
- Character Profile
- Setting
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- At the start of 'The Twisted Tree', which character does Martha find living in Mormor's Cabin?
- 'Stig' ✓
- In which season does most of the action of 'The Twisted Tree' take place?
- Winter ✓
- Summer
- Spring
- Autumn
-
- An Act is made up of multiple ...
- scenes ✓
- scripts
- dialogues
- characters
-
- What is being described here: 'the spoken words between characters in a play'?
- 'dialogue' ✓
- Writing a script would be appropriate for ...
- a novel.
- a play. ✓
- a film. ✓
- a poem.
- a tv show. ✓
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Exit quiz
- Match these terms 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 ✓
- When scripting a scene, which elements help to establish the mood and atmosphere?
- character names and profiles
- stage directions outlining the setting ✓
- dialogue and plot summary
- stage directions given to actors when delivering their lines
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- In 'The Twisted Tree', when Martha first encounters Stig in Mormor's cabin, what would be an appropriate stage direction to accompany the dialogue 'Who are you?'?
- angrily ✓
- startled ✓
- calmy
- happily
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- Which of the following should NOT be included in the stage directions at the start of a scene?
- act and scene number
- setting description
- time and weather
- character dialogue ✓
-
- What is the purpose of adding adjectives or adverbs in stage directions?
- to elaborate on the plot
- to guide actors on how to deliver their lines ✓
- to provide historical context
- to describe the author's intentions
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- What is an example of a specific action given as a stage direction that an audience will be able to see?
- 'nodding' ✓
- 'thinking deeply'
- 'searching his memory'
- 'pausing to reply'
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- A script can transform key moments from stories into structured, performable scenes.
- Scripts must include the act and scene number, character profiles, character names, stage directions and dialogue.
- Stage directions can describe the setting, time of day, weather, mood and characters' actions and emotions.
- Dialogue specifies what each character says, with accompanying stage directions on how to deliver the lines.
- Effective script writing requires detailed opening stage directions to establish the scene's atmosphere and context.
Common misconception
Stage directions are just suggestions and don't need to be followed exactly.
Stage directions are essential parts of the script that provide important guidance on how the scene should be performed. They help create the atmosphere, convey emotions and ensure the story is told as the writer intended.
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
Character profiles - brief descriptions of characters that outline their personalities and roles in the script
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