Thursday, January 21, 2016

Playwriting Project Rubric

Playwriting Rubric
First off, congratulations. If you were able to write a play from beginning to end (no matter the length) you are on your way to being a writer. I don't always say it, but you should be proud of the writing that you accomplish. Creative writing is not an easy art form. It takes a lot of discipline, reading, research, and just butts-in-seats determination. A bit of art and craft helps along the way.

This project has a specific page minimum requirement. From here on out, when you write a play script, you will be able to choose the size of your "canvas". 10-minute plays are just as important as full length ones. Be proud of what you were able to accomplish, particularly if you wrote more for this assignment than you usually do. Good job.

Rubric:

4 = Exemplary (A/A+): Play is written in correct (standard) playwriting format for actors/directors. Title is intriguing, symbolic, and/or original. Plot structure adheres to and enhances Aristotelian elements; Cause and effect is well done, logical and creative; conflict is intriguing and creative; the playwrights' message is universal and comments thoughtfully on the human condition; play has intriguing, original characters; setting is original and interesting, but also practical for theatrical space; stage directions are specific, producible, enhance the action of the play and do not get in the actor/reader's way; dialogue is original, compelling, appropriate for characters and sounds natural, but heightened with artistic craft; characters have clear and appropriate motivation; there is a clear progression of conflict/events, leading to a dark moment (crisis), enlightenment, and climax for the protagonist; dialogue sounds natural; play follows the three unities of time, place, action (when appropriate); scenes are well developed, each ending with a climactic moment, constantly moving the plot forward; staging is creative, appropriate and play is clever and producible. Few or very minor grammar errors. Page length is beyond requirement--clearly effort and time has been put into this project.

3 = Accomplished (B/B+): Play is written in standard publishing playwriting format, or format for actors/directors has a few mistakes. Title is appropriate, but may not be as clever or creative as 4 above. Plot is appropriate and uses several Aristotelian elements, but not to the same level as 4. Cause and effect is more or less appropriate for the situation; playwright has a message, but may not be as original or creative as 4. Setting is appropriate and practical, but not as clever or interesting as 4. Stage directions are used appropriately; dialogue is appropriate for verisimilitude of characters and setting; dialogue mostly sounds natural; play mostly follows unities, but may rely on one more than another; main characters have appropriate motivation, with some errors or lack of development; scenes are developed, but may not always progress the plot; staging is appropriate and producible, but not as clever as 4. Some grammar errors, but nothing that gets in the way of comprehension. As "A" grade above, but work was turned in after the deadline (January 21). Page length meets requirement as necessary for the development of the script's story.

2 = Promising (C/C+): Play attempts standard playwriting format, but may have several errors. Title is present, but does not necessarily support theme, tone, or symbol. Plot borders on cliche or sentimentality; plot may lack some Aristotelian elements. Cause occurs without effect or there are errors in plotting; playwrights' message may be trite or melodramatic or over done; characters may be unoriginal, lacking motivation or development; setting is standard and largely uninteresting; dialogue sounds stilted or melodramatic, unreal; play does not always follow the unities; characters may lack motivation or play includes too many minor characters; scenes are sketchy or undeveloped, conflict is too easily resolved; scenes may not advance the plot; staging is awkward or expensive or cinematic; grammar errors distract the reader/actor. As "B" grade above, but work was turned in after the deadline (January 21). Page length meets the minimum requirement for this project.

1 = Beginning (D): As "C" grades above, but work was turned in after the deadline (January 21). Minimum requirement for length was not met.


The only way to fail this project is to turn nothing in. If you can't write a play, you shall not pass Playwriting.

No comments:

The Murky Middle (Even More Advice)

Aristotle wrote that stories should have a beginning, middle, and end. Middles can be difficult. You might have a smashing opening to a stor...