Script Writing Assignment
ELA- Mrs. Patton
As part of our Drama unit, you have been reading plays and learning
about the techniques playwrights use to develop their characters and
plot. When writing a play, the playwright relies heavily on the use of
dialogue and stage directions to convey information about the
characters’ thoughts and feelings, the setting, and the conflict.
Your assignment will be to work with a partner on writing a script of a
play. Just as Israel Horovitz adapted Charles Dickens’ novel, A
Christmas Carol, you will also adapt a well-known story into play form.
For this assignment, you and your partner will choose a well-known
fairy tale to put into script form.
You will write a one-act play. Your play should contain anywhere from 3-
5 scenes. You and your partner should decide on the number of scenes
you will have. Remember that each scene should take place at a
different location, and include a description of the setting. Scenes
should be organized together to tell a story—from beginning to end.
Be sure to include a Cast of Characters at the beginning (listed in order
of appearance), as well as Props. In addition, please include a Narrator
who will provide important background information. It’s a good idea to
begin and end each scene with the Narrator.
Be sure to include stage directions (always italicized). Remember that
in a play, most character development happens through the use of
stage directions which tell the actors how to look, act, move, and
speak. Stage directions help the reader to visualize how the play would
look on stage—where the actors are speaking their lines, how they are
moving as they speak, their facial expressions, etc. Stage directions
are NOT meant to be spoken aloud.
Choose your partner carefully. You will want to choose someone who
you can collaborate with and who will divide the work equally with you.
You will both receive the same grade. If behavior is an issue, I will split
you up and assign new partners.
I will give you class time to work on this, but additional time outside of
class may be required.
A rough draft of your script will be due on: ______
A typed final copy will be due on: ______
Script Writing Rubric
4 3 2 1
Grammar & Writers Writers Writers Writers
Spelling make 1-2 make 3-4 make 5-6 make more
errors in errors in errors in than 6 errors
grammar or grammar or grammar or in grammar
spelling. spelling. spelling. or spelling.
Written in Written in Mostly Slightly The writing
Script the correct correct correct is not
Format format. format. format. written in
Stage Stage Stage script format
directions directions directions at all.
are are may have
included. included, been
but may not completely
be left out.
identifiable.
Creativity The story The story The story There is
contains contains a contains a little
many few creative few creative evidence of
creative details that details, but creativity in
details that contribute they distract the story.
contribute to the from the The authors
to the reader’s story. The do not seem
reader’s enjoyment. authors to have used
enjoyment. The authors have tried to much
The authors have used use their imagination.
have really their imagination.
used their imagination.
imagination.
Writing Students Students Students Students
Process devotes a lot devotes devote devote little
of time and sufficient some time time and
effort to the time and and effort to effort to the
writing effort to the
the writing writing
process. Both writing
rough draft & process. Both
process. process.
final copy are rough draft & Either rough Either rough
handed in. final copy are draft or final draft or final
handed in. copy are copy are
missing. missing.
Cooperation Partners Partners Partners Clearly,
& worked mostly could have these two
Collaboratio together to worked worked did not work
n write the together to together well
script. Work write the much better. together,
was divided script. Work There may and/or one
equally. was mostly have been person did
equal. some most or all
arguing and of the work.
unequal
division of
work.
Total: _____ out of 20
The Three Little Pigs
adapted for the stage
by _____________
CAST:
Narrator
Wolf
Pig number 1 with straw house
Pig number 2 with stick house
Pig number 3 with brick house
PROPS:
Bucket of slop near the table with a ladle; slop bowl and spoon; four tea cups; teapot;
large playing cards; flower vase; book with Fairy Tales written on it; Bib or napkin for
wolf; Small round table and three chairs; picture frame that is hung that says "Home
Sweet Home".
Scene 1
SETTING: Inside brick house belonging to Pig number 3.
(Narrator in the foreground has a large book in front of her titled Fairy Tales.)
Narrator:Welcome to another edition of Fairy Tales. In our last episode, the big bad
Wolf huffed and puffed and blew down the house of straw. Then, the big bad Wolf
huffed and puffed and blew down the house of sticks. What will happen next?
(We find our Three Little Pigs sitting around a table politely sipping on tea and
playing "Go Fish" with a deck of cards. The Wolf is waiting outside the door of the
house.)
(Wolf rhythmically knocks on the door.)
Pigs:(innocently) Who is it?
Wolf:It's me! The Big Bad Wolf!!!
Pigs:(fearfully) Oh no! (Pig number 1 and Pig number 2 throw their cards in the air
and hide under the table.)
Wolf:(angrily) Little Pigs! Little Pigs! Let me in!
Pigs:Not by the hairs of our chinny chin chins!
Wolf:(Even more angrily, his voice louder) Then I'll huff... (he huffs) ...and I'll puff...
(he puffs) ...and I'll blow your house in!
(Wolf blows with all his might while the Pigs continue to act fearful, but nothing
happens to their house)
Wolf:(Less angry) Let me try that one more time. (He huffs) ...and I'll puff... (he
puffs) ...and I'll blow your house in!
(The Pigs recognize that their house did not get blown down. They giggle, go back to
sitting in their chairs, and start to drink their tea. Wolf looks frustrated and sad.)
Wolf: But I'm alone. All alone! (Wolf cries loudly.) And I have no friends!
Pigs: No friends?
Wolf: (Sobbing louder now) No friends!
Pigs: Piggy Huddle!
(Pigs huddle as they decide on a plan. In agreement they walk to the door and open
it while the Wolf cries.)
Pigs: (Pigs throw their arms out to the Wolf and shout...) Friend!
Wolf: (doubtfully) Friends?
Pigs: (assertively and with a group hug) Friends!!!
(Pigs escort the Wolf into their house. Pigs sit Wolf down and pour him tea and take
out a big bucket marked "Slop" on it.)
Pig 1: (to Wolf) Would you care for some slop?
Wolf: (looking surprised) Why, yes!
(Pig 2 puts a napkin around Wolf's neck and serves him.)
Narrator: And so the Big Bad Wolf finally found new friends.
Pigs: More slop?
Wolf: Thanks, friends!
Narrator: And so it seems that all is well in the forest. The Pigs were happy with
their new guest and friend. Little did they know, however, that the Wolf has another
plan in mind...
Scene 2
SETTING:
NARRATOR:
