Page 13 - 2023-bfw-FLL-2e

NEW! Public Speaking Extensions lay the foundation for effective
communication and civil discourse. It’s clear today that we can all use more effective
communication and civil discourse. Whether you’re interested in building a classroom
community or preparing students to engage in academic dialogue, Foundations of
Language & Literature includes instruction and practice opportunities through Public
Speaking Extensions in every genre/mode chapter.

public speaking extension

Performance of a Scene
10 / Drama
Throughout this workshop, you have been analyzing a scene from Romeo and
Juliet . For this extension activity, rather than presenting your analysis, you will work Guided Tour of Foundations of Language & Literature, Second Edition
collaboratively with a small group to rehearse and perform a scene from the play.
Since members of your group may have chosen to analyze different scenes for their
essays, your first step should be to decide on which one you would like to perform
based on the number of people in your group and which scene you think you can
based on the number of people in your group and which scene you think you can
perform most effectively. Depending on the size of your group, you might want to
perform most effectively. Depending on the size of your group, you might want to
have one member be a director of the scene instead of an actor to allow for someone
have one member be a director of the scene instead of an actor to allow for someone
public speaking extension
to provide feedback during rehearsals, cue up music or lighting, and support other
to provide feedback during rehearsals, cue up music or lighting, and support other
details of the production. 6 / Fiction
Preparing for Your Performance Analysis of Fiction
Before you begin rehearsing, your group should read through the scene several times
You have spent this workshop crafting an analysis of fiction that presents a focused
and discuss various interpretations of characters, conflicts, and possible theme. Once
thesis with support and commentary. What if you wanted to share that same piece
your group has settled on what you want to communicate about the scene to an
through a presentation to a live audience? What would you need to add, change, or
audience, you will produce a “staging notebook” for your scene that will include the
delete to make your essay sound engaging? As you work through this process, refer
following:
to the elements of a presentation in Chapter 3 ( p. 90 ), and use these steps to turn
your written analysis into an oral presentation.
• An annotated copy of your scene that will act as your script for your performance.
Actors will have copies of the script with their own lines highlighted and notes on
how the lines will be performed. Mark words for emphasis and include markings for
Content
gestures, movements, and facial expressions when your character is speaking as
Conversations Develop Evidence-Based Argument
well as when you have no lines.
• A description of the set design, which will include everything that the audience will
• Your introduction. Reread the beginning paragraph of your written analysis.
and Synthesis Skills Does it sound dramatic or engaging? Remember that you chose to work with
see in your scene, such as furniture, structures, props, and so on. Would this capture the listener’s attention? Read it aloud to yourself a few times.
• A description of other theatrical elements, including sound effects, lighting, music,
and costumes. a particular story because it interested you. Does your introduction convey that
Each genre/mode chapter’s Central Text is followed by a brief Conversation tied to a
interest? Does it communicate to your listeners the particular aspects of the story
you are going to discuss? If it feels too long when you read it aloud, cut it down to
main idea or theme of that text. Synthesis is one of those skills with multiple benefits: it
Rehearsing Your Scene
only two or three sentences.
As you practice your performance, discuss the following as a group: • Your main idea. You will want to be very clear about what you are analyzing.
leads to lively class discussions, it encourages informed opinions, it demands nuanced
You may want to break your thesis up into two sentences to ensure that your
• How do the actors emphasize key lines, and how does that help to communicate
and nimble thinking, and it forces students to draw on evidence to support their posi-
listeners easily grasp each element that will be included in the presentation.
an interpretation of the scene? Are the gestures and movements effective at
• Your supporting evidence. While your analytical essay may have included
capturing elements of the characters?
tions. These are academic habits of mind common to all disciplines and at the heart of
multiple points that you address, for a short presentation, you might want to
848
focus on only the strongest element that you analyzed. Include evidence that
all academic work. This is why, even in the literary genre chapters, you’ll find the
is clear, focused, and supports the importance of the element you selected.
• Your closing. Look back at how you ended your written analysis and highlight
Conversation texts are primarily nonfiction. We believe that cultivating these reading
the strongest sentence or two that communicate to your audience the ideas
you’ve presented and their connection to the theme of the text you have been
and writing skills can deepen the study of any text, regardless of the genre.
discussing. For a live audience, it may be especially important to leave them
with a question or comment to inspire further thought about the ideas you have
presented.
384
Uncorrected proofs have been used in this sample.
Copyright © Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers.
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers.
For review purposes only. Not for redistribution.
01_SheaFLL2e_40926_fm_i_xxxv_3pp.indd 17 17/10/22 3:17 PM