Need Help with When Writing Drama Essays?

Writing a Drama Essay The Basics
-­‐Analyse what the question asks of you -­‐Develop a line of discussion in answer to the question -­‐Support your line of discussion with quotes from the text set for study -­‐Express your ideas clearly and write with your own voice -­‐Write a well structured and informative response that encapsulates your learning experiences

Basic Essay Structure
An essay is a written text that answers a question by expressing a point of view or developing an argument (like in debating). An essay has three parts: Introduction (What you will be saying in this essay) Body Conclusion (Details of your argument) (A summary of what has been said)

Introduction
Your introduction should include: -­‐A clear thesis statement that outlines your answer to the question -­‐An outline of the main points you will be discussing in your essay

Body
The paragraphs of the body of your essay should include: -­‐A clear topic sentence about the point you are making -­‐An example from the text OR an example of experiential learning that supports this -­‐An explanation of how this relates to the question and your thesis.

Conclusion
-­‐Your conclusion should sum up your argument. -­‐Be sure it agrees with your thesis and introduction. -­‐

Drama Specific Essays
-­‐Engage the reader of your essay with your practical dramatic knowledge of the text set for study. -­‐Remember that it is a drama essay, and therefore it must express not just what you know about the text, but more importantly what experiential and experimental learning you have undertaken. In -­‐Draft and re-­‐draft the relevant ideas you have developed from your class workshops and performance experiences -­‐Decide what points or aspects of argument may need to be made and backed up by evidence from the text -­‐Practice planning and writing the essay

Experiential Learning
Topic Sentences Our group improvised a scene which . . . My workshop experiences into the topic area . . . We worked with each other to create . . . When we experimented with . . . When I became a . . . My workshop experience . . . Regular Sentences The audience reacted with laugher when . . . We explored our performance through . . . In a class workshop the students created a . . . We worked with each other to create . . . We used our bodies to try to . . . In class we explored language activities that . . . We improvised a number of cultural and social concerns that were similar in both plays by . . . As an audience member I found myself . . .

The Best Responses:
-­‐Develop a strong thesis that directly responded to the QUESTION -­‐Maintain a consistent argument throughout the essay -­‐Are written fluently and in an appropriate register -­‐Use extensive evidence from the text and experiential learning

Practice Essay Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice
20 Marks Attempt Question 1 Allow about 45minutes for this question Answer the question in the space provided In your answer you will be assessed on how well you: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre relevant to the question express your point of view and use appropriate supporting evidence present a sustained, logical and well-­‐structured answer to the question Question 1 (20 marks) How does Australian drama and theatre stage a range of the different individual experiences found in Australian society? In your answer, refer to the dramatic forms, performance styles, techniques and the conventions of Australian Drama and Theatre and in particular to your study and experience of TWO texts set for study.

Practice Essay Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice
20 Marks 2. Take note of the criteria on which you will be marked Allow about 45minutes for this question Answer the question in the space provided Attempt Question 1 In your answer you will be assessed on how well you: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre relevant to the question express your point of view and use appropriate supporting evidence present a sustained, logical and well-­‐structured answer to the question Question 1 (20 marks) How does Australian drama and theatre stage a range of the different individual experiences found in Australian society? In your answer, refer to the dramatic forms, performance styles, techniques and the conventions of Australian Drama and Theatre and in particular to your study and experience of TWO texts set for study.

Practice Essay Contemporary Australian Theatre Practice
20 Marks Attempt Question 1 Allow about 45minutes for this question Answer the question in the space provided In your answer you will be assessed on how well you: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre relevant to the question express your point of view and use appropriate supporting evidence present a sustained, logical and well-­‐structured answer to the question Question 1 (20 marks) How does Australian drama and theatre stage a range of the different individual experiences found in Australian society? In your answer, refer to the dramatic forms, performance styles, techniques and the conventions of Australian Drama and Theatre and in particular to your study and experience of TWO texts set for study.

3. Examine the question carefully. Exactly what is being asked of you? Highlight key terms.