And just like that, the playwriting module of my creative writing programme is also over! We read two plays, played with props, explored dialogue, imagined the stage, examined the differences between writing scripts for stage and for screen … And I’m exhilarated. As always, the generosity of the community of teachers and writers online is astounding. Some resources work for me; some don’t, but each one I come across is useful.
So, it’s my turn. Here are a few activities I used successfully in class this time.
Writing Natural Dialogue
Writing dialogue that reads naturally is challenging. Even though I have been writing for so long, I sometimes find myself using long, winding sentences in dialogue and have to remind myself that we don’t regularly use long sentences beginning with ‘although’ or ‘despite’. And can you imagine using them when you’re excited?
This led me to create an activity that is ideal for small batches of online creative writing programmes. Give the children a situation and let them speak. Record what they say and play it back to them. What do they notice? Do they use complete sentences all the time? How long are the sentences?
Here are two topics I created for them. Feel free to use them too!
- All of you are in a library. Suddenly, a book starts glowing. What happens next?
- You discover a secret door in your school. How do you and your friends react?
Common Mistakes
Short videos always help, even if the children listen to just your voice yet again. If nothing else, a video gives them a break from having to focus on your face! Based on everything I encountered and everything I read, I made a video about the common mistakes made while writing plays.
Sounds
I use sounds in class all the time. Most presentation softwares have some sounds that you can insert into your work. Playing short sounds and asking children to describe them is a way to make children pay attention to more than just the visual world around them.
This time, I used a linked series of sounds – a creaking door, the clopping of shoes on wood, a wolf howling and wind. This led us, of course, to a discussion of genre and how to make different kinds of plays come alive.
Reflections
Reading what children have to say about a module that is over is always heart-warming. Even though the sheer amount of work they share on the forum speaks volumes, reflections like these are reaffirming!
Leave a Reply