script analysis project 2
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SCRIPT ANALYSIS PAPER FORMATTING
• The first item in this document is a bare-bones format for how your paper should look.
Note the sections and bullet points. Each bullet point is a separate item.
• Note, too, the symbols next to each section heading:
o + - Positives
o - - Challenges
o * - Crack/Thread
o / - Concretes
o A/V – A/V moments
• These are symbols you can use when you mark up your script before writing this paper. If
you find a really strong and powerful moment that makes you think, put a + next to it in
the script. Find a challenging part? Put a – in the script’s margin. Every time you find a
concrete prop or set piece mentioned, put a /; every strong audio-visual moment (like magic
being done, or the sounds of a storm), put an A/V in the margin. These symbols help you
organize the script as you read it.
o The second item in this document is a short list where I show you an example of each
category, to clarify further what I’m referring to in the bare-bones formatting example from
the first item.
o Please read this document in full before drafting. Remember that formatting and making
sure you’re adhering to the sentence requirements of each section are a big part of your
grade in this project. If you have any questions, be sure to send me an email.
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Your Name
Dramatic Imagination
Prof. Mark Costello
Due: 3/26/20
Initial Response: Our Town
POSITIVES (+):
• Short title/description summing up the positive: 5 – 7 sentences detailing the positive
moment and its importance.
• Short title/description summing up the positive: 5 – 7 sentences detailing the positive
moment and its importance.
• Short title/description summing up the positive: 5 – 7 sentences detailing the positive
moment and its importance.
CHALLENGES (-):
• Short title/description summing up the challenge: 5 – 7 sentences detailing the challenge
moment and its importance.
• Short title/description summing up the challenge: 5 – 7 sentences detailing the challenge
moment and its importance.
• Short title/description summing up the challenge: 5 – 7 sentences detailing the challenge
moment and its importance.
CRACK/THREAD (*):
• Short title/description summing up the thread: 10 – 14 sentences explaining your
personal way into the work, ways the work speaks to you individually, and how your life,
work, or academic experiences make the play take on new meaning for you.
CONCRETES (/):
• Act and scene number – Name of prop or set piece: One sentence description of why
this concrete item/object is important in the play.
• Act and scene number – Name of prop or set piece: One sentence description of why
this concrete item/object is important in the play.
• Act and scene number – Name of prop or set piece: One sentence description of why
this concrete item/object is important in the play.
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• Act and scene number – Name of prop or set piece: One sentence description of why
this concrete item/object is important in the play.
• Act and scene number – Name of prop or set piece: One sentence description of why
this concrete item/object is important in the play.
AUDIO/VISUAL MOMENTS (A/V):
• Act and scene number – Name of audio/visual moment: One sentence description of
why this A/V moment is important in the play.
• Act and scene number – Name of audio/visual moment: One sentence description of
why this A/V moment is important in the play.
• Act and scene number – Name of audio/visual moment: One sentence description of
why this A/V moment is important in the play.
• Act and scene number – Name of audio/visual moment: One sentence description of
why this A/V moment is important in the play.
• Act and scene number – Name of audio/visual moment: One sentence description of
why this A/V moment is important in the play.
SYNTHESIS:
• Synthesis title: 10 – 15 sentences, summarizing your entire initial response. Weave
together the different threads that run throughout this document. Say what the play is about,
based on what spoke to you positively, what challenged you, your individual understanding
of the play, and the concrete and audio/visual moments you named as important.
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Examples
The general format, then, is to start each bullet point under each section with a short title/summary
in bold, and then start your description/reflection.
Positives, challenges, cracks/threads, and syntheses follow the same format. Similarly, concretes
and A/V moments follow a similar but slightly different format. Here are short examples of both,
using Shakespeare’s The Tempest as a case study:
Positive, Challenge, Crack/Thread and Synthesis structure:
The below example is the beginning of a positive:
o Prospero’s speech: Prospero’s “Our revels now are ended speech” from Act 4, Sc. 1 is a
deeply moving speech. It comes at a moment in the play when…
That’s how positives, challenges, threads, and syntheses should look on the page. A bullet
point, a simple tag or title in bold, and then launch into the paragraph from there.
A/V and Concrete structure:
The below example is an A/V moment:
o Act 1, Sc. 1 – The storm: The play opens with a massive, thunderous hurricane at sea,
giving us a sense of chaos at the top of the play.
Notice something really important here: DON’T JUST LIST THE CONCRETE OR A/V
MOMENT! You need to give me the act and scene number, too, or a page number if that is
easier. Failure to cite act and scene number (or page number) will result in a lower grade.