Use NO source material!! This is your critique/analysis of the performance. If you are found using outside sources to write your analysis you will receive a 0 for the assignment. All written assignments in this class are checked using Turnitin, an anti-plagiarism web service.
In general, the breakdown of the paper should be:
Introduction: Title of the play, the playwright’s name, where you saw the play, the date, curtain time and cost of the ticket.
Identify the goal of the play* : What do you think the play was trying to “do”?
Overall impression of the play: Did you enjoy the play? Was it well done? Would you recommend it?
(These above 3 items should collectively be between 15% and 20% of your critique)
Summary of Plot. (This should be no more than 30% of you critique): When and where the play takes place, the Protagonist and Antagonist, what are the main characters trying to accomplish, the central conflict and the climax of the play.
Spelling and Grammar
Production Elements – 3 required (Acting, Directing, Set Design, Lighting and Costumes) Please give two examples of each, explaining if it was effective or not.
Conclusion (at least 50 Words): Was the play worth doing? Reinstate the goal and whether is was achieved and if you would recommend this play.
I am looking for YOUR opinion and analysis of the play. There are no right and wrong answers when it comes to your opinion and analysis. The only thing you can really do wrong is to not analyze the play(see bottom of page 23).
The three biggest mistakes that students make are:
1-write too much about the storyline (plot) and too little on production elements.
2-not write 1,500 words.
3-not have an opinion
*The goal of a play is what the audience is supposed to learn or take away from the performance. The goal of most plays is something deeper than “The goal was to entertain the audience” or “The goal was to make you laugh”. Although, for some comedies and some musicals, the goal might be able to be summed up so succinctly. Even in those cases, you could explain why you think the goal was that simple.
Also, we will learn about Goethe’s 3 questions about art: What is the artist trying to do? How well has he or she done it? Was it worth doing?
For Romeo and Juliet the goal might be: To make the audience think about the impact of 2 two family’s hatred of one another on their children.
For Star Wars the goal might be: To show that good will conquer evil, and do it the edge of your seat, adventurous style.”
For Black Panther the goal might be: To show the audience that fear of the unknown is not a reason to hide behind your borders, that open sharing of culture and advancement helps everyone.
