Transcript title

Creative Writing:Scriptwriting

Credits

4

Grade mode

Standard letter grades

Contact hours total

40

Lecture hours

40

Recommended preparation

WR 121.

Description

Introduces students to dramatic writing for both stage and screen. Essential learning processes in the course include scene and dialogue craft exercises, developing strong characters and viable narrative structures, critical reading of plays, screenplays, and/or teleplays and responding constructively to other student work.

Learning outcomes

1. Acquire an introductory understanding of the conventions of dramatic writing, including understanding those conventions that distinguish writing for the stage from writing for film/video.
2. Be able to identify and apply elements of structure in dramatic narrative, with particular emphasis on Aristotelian conceptions of conflict, action, and plot.
3. Show basic ability in writing and constructing scenes for stage plays and screenplays.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use dialogue in crafting and fostering character, conflict and action.
5. Practice reading, analyzing, and evaluating scripts by other writers, including both professional play scripts and works by peers/fellow students.
6. Show working knowledge of the manuscript formats and requirements for stage plays, screenplays, and teleplays.
7. Produce at least 40 pages total for the quarter, including a term project at least 20 pages in length that comprises one of the following: a complete one-act play; a complete teleplay for a one-half hour television show; part of a full-length stage play or screen play; or part of a one-hour television show.
8. Demonstrate ability to provide constructive criticism for one's peers in the context of a cooperative workshop session.
9. Demonstrate an ability to develop and apply an effective set of specific criteria for determining relative quality in scriptwriting.
10. Develop discipline for and in creative writing practice, including inviting and fostering creative opportunity and the creative impulse.
11. Demonstrate ability to work with feedback regarding one’s writing and ideas, including using both outside feedback and self-critique.

General education/Related instruction lists

• Discipline Studies/Arts and Letters