A Raisin in the Sun, Day 5; Short Play Project: Day 2

A Raisin in the Sun: Act 2. When we complete Act 2, we will begin writing our own plays.

Begin writing a short play.

1. Start off by trying to recall a dramatic moment that you experienced (or that someone you know experienced--a family member, a neighbor, a friend, etc.)--recall who was involved and maybe what was said and by whom. What was the outcome? Jot down a list of details or make a mind-map of the details you can recall in your journal.
2. Fictionalize the details. Change the names or genders or ages of the real people involved and create a fictional cast list of at least 3 characters. You can combine people you know. If you have 2 sisters, combine them into one personality. If you have 3 old wives, combine them into one grandmother. If you have 200 friends, combine them into 2 friends. You get the picture.
3. Try to limit your cast to five characters or fewer. You will need at LEAST two.
4. Create a cast list with a brief description of each character (see cast list in your Raisin in the Sun play scripts).
5. Describe a vivid setting for your play. Keep your play in one setting: a kitchen, a living room, a house like A Raisin in the Sun, a porch, etc. Base your setting on a place that you know well--although you can fictionalize this setting. Add details that are made up! See the set description at the beginning of the play A Raisin in the Sun for a model. You may use the setting you described in your journal if you'd like--or create a new one.
6. Begin writing your scene once you have completed all 6 steps before this one. 
7. Your play should be written as a script. For now, you can use the form used in A Raisin in the Sun. We will not use this form for long, as it is not the proper format for writers, but for now, it'll get us started.
8. Your play should be between 5 - 10 pages in length (excluding your cast list and set description--see #4 & #5.) Include a title and number your pages in a header or footer. 
9. Do NOT double space your play scripts. It is okay to skip a single line (one hard return) between lines. Names should be typed in upper case. Stage/acting directions should be written in parenthesis. You do not have to italicize stage directions unless you really want to.