Role Play Assignment
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
-Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird, Ch. 3
This section of the unit will give you the chance to experience this sage advice that Atticus gives to Scout. So much of our study of literature is done through reading and discussion. While this is an efficient and effective vehicle for dissecting a text and building new knowledge, it is certainly not the only manner of study.
In this section you will need to focus on one specific character at a specific moment in To Kill A Mockingbird. In your analysis of your character consider the following:
-Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird, Ch. 3
This section of the unit will give you the chance to experience this sage advice that Atticus gives to Scout. So much of our study of literature is done through reading and discussion. While this is an efficient and effective vehicle for dissecting a text and building new knowledge, it is certainly not the only manner of study.
In this section you will need to focus on one specific character at a specific moment in To Kill A Mockingbird. In your analysis of your character consider the following:
- What is your character concerned with?
- To what degree does your character understand what is happening around him or her?
- Is you character acting as a protagonist or antagonist?
Your assignment will be to work with a group to identify a passage from To Kill A Mockingbird that you will rewrite as a script and read aloud in class. You are free to select any passage from the text but be aware that you will be “scripting” your passage. You can script your scene in a straight forward manner or re-imagine it in a way that expresses your vision. Here are the requirements for this assignment:
You can work individually and create a one-person performance or work in groups. The only requirement for groups is that each member needs to represent a specific character.
Scripts will bee performed in class during portfolio presentations. This can mean that groups simply do a reading or can choose to do a fully acted performance.
Evaluations will be based on two components: like the art assignment, acting/performance quality is subjective to skill and experience. So, similar to the art assignment, a sincere effort is needed to successfully complete this portion of the unit. Anything less than a sincere effort to both understand and perform your role will receive reduced points. A printed copy of your script is to be included in your portfolio (all group members should have the same script).
- Your group is required to create a script that includes your lines and any staging instructions that you feel are necessary to your performance
- Your script needs to follow standard script format. See example below, or you can Google other scripts to see how the layout and design looks
- Once your group has worked together to pick a passage and create a script you should assign character roles to each member of the group
- Once you have your assigned character, begin your character study including the considerations listed above.
- Props are not required for your performance but you are welcome to bring your own. The only requirement is that your props enhance your performance
- Last, be prepared to field and answer questions from the class about your character (for example: their motivation, their intention, their emotional state) after your performance. To respond successfully you really need to think about your character during your performance preparation
You can work individually and create a one-person performance or work in groups. The only requirement for groups is that each member needs to represent a specific character.
Scripts will bee performed in class during portfolio presentations. This can mean that groups simply do a reading or can choose to do a fully acted performance.
Evaluations will be based on two components: like the art assignment, acting/performance quality is subjective to skill and experience. So, similar to the art assignment, a sincere effort is needed to successfully complete this portion of the unit. Anything less than a sincere effort to both understand and perform your role will receive reduced points. A printed copy of your script is to be included in your portfolio (all group members should have the same script).