Higher Drama: Study of a Text in its Theatrical Context Essay Writing

Character/ Actor Example Essay Writing

In your exam you will be asked to answer an essay question on your “prescribed text”. Your prescribed text is “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller This essay is worth a total of 20 marks.

Here is an example of an exam question. “Choose a character in your prescribed text that you would consider manipulative and/or controlling. Give reasons for your choice. As an actor, how would you perform this role?” [2008]

The first thing to do is underline the KEY WORDS in the question. This will help you to understand what the question is asking you to do. “Choose a character in your prescribed text that you would consider manipulative and/or controlling. Give reasons for your choice. As an actor, how would you perform this role?”

“Choose a character in your prescribed text that you would consider manipulative and/or controlling. Give reasons for your choice. As an actor, how would you perform this role?”

“Choose a character in your prescribed text that you would consider manipulative and/or controlling. Give reasons for your choice..” We’ll call this Section A. The first thing you’re asked to do is…

The second thing you’re asked to answer is… “As an actor, how would you perform this role?” We’ll call this Section B.

We know that the question is worth a total of 20 marks so we can say that Section A = 10 marks Section B = 10 marks But how do we get these marks?

In order to answer the question accurately and get as many marks as we can we need to break each section down still further. In Section A you need to… 1. Describe and explain who YOU feel is a manipulative and/or controlling character. 2. Give reasons for your choice.

REMEMBER to PEE!!! P – Point E – Evidence E- Explain

To answer Section A you need to… Introduce your answer detailing who you believe the manipulative and/or controlling character to be and you need to explain your reasons for this choice. “In the The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams is a character who is both manipulative and controlling. From the very beginning of the play she shows her manipulative streak by feigning hurt and outrage at her uncle’s suggestions of impropriety, thereby persuading him she was only dancing in the forest and that her name in the village is white. She also displays her controlling side when we see her threatening the girls with “a pointy reckoning” should any of them confess about the deeds in the forest.”

To answer Section A you need to… Introduce your answer detailing who you believe the manipulative and/or controlling character to be and you need to explain your reasons for this choice. “In the The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Abigail Williams is a character who is both manipulative and controlling. From the very beginning of the play she shows her manipulative streak by feigning hurt and outrage at her uncle’s suggestions of impropriety, thereby persuading him she was only dancing in the forest and that her name in the village is white. She also displays her controlling side when we see her threatening the girls with “a pointy reckoning” should any of them confess about the deeds in the forest.”

Now write your response to Section A. In your answer you should discuss… Who you think is manipulative and controlling Why you think this character is manipulative/controlling What reasons you have for your choice. How the text supports your reasoning. Evidence. You could talk about… Actions and consequences The way they manipulate and control Themes/Issues Relationships/ influence on other characters Their importance in relation to plot Their development through the play Use textual exemplification! (QUOTE and REFER!!)

In Section B you need to state… “As an actor, how would you perform this role?” 1. Describe how would highlight these characteristics through performance. 2. Refer to a range of acting concepts. 3. Justify how these concepts will communicate these characteristics.

In your answer you should discuss… How you would communicate the identified characteristics What acting concepts you would use to help you do this How these concepts would communicate manipulation and control You could talk about… Voice/Movement Actor/Audience interaction Use of space Use of costumes, props and make-up Give clear explanations and examples.

REMEMBER to PEE!!! P – Point E – Evidence E- Explain

To answer Section B you need to… Describe how you, as an actor would highlight the manipulative/controlling aspects of the character with reference to acting concepts and justification to demonstrate HOW these concepts would aid your communication of these traits. “As an actor, in performance I would communicate this manipulation and controlling in many ways. At the beginning of the play I would speak softly with an innocent tone to show Abigail’s “respect” for her elders and also to give the impression that she is young and naive. When around the older people in Salem I would make my body language quite contained, keeping my head low, not making eye contact to show Abigail knows her place in society. I would also have my arms by my sides, or my hands clasped in my lap to portray Abigail as weak and a victim, incapable of any wrong-doing. This would contrast with my conduct when alone with John or the girls thereby showing Abigail’s ability to manipulate and control those around her into believing that she is an innocent girl, which is exactly what she wants.”

To answer Section B you need to… Describe how you, as an actor would highlight the manipulative/controlling aspects of the character with reference to acting concepts and justification to demonstrate HOW these concepts would aid your communication of these traits. “As an actor, in performance I would communicate this manipulation and controlling in many ways. At the beginning of the play I would speak softly with an innocent tone of voice to show Abigail’s “respect” for her elders and also to give the impression that she is young and naive. When around the older people in Salem I would make my body language quite contained, keeping my head quite low, not making eye contact to show Abigail knows her place in society. I would also have my arms by my sides, or my hands clasped in my lap to portray Abigail as weak and a victim incapable of any wrong-doing. This would contrast with my conduct when alone with John or the girls thereby showing Abigail’s ability to manipulate and control those around her into believing that she is an innocent girl, which is exactly what she wants.”

A good response (8-10 marks) … (a)Detailed explanation of the tendency for the character to be manipulative and/or controlling with detailed justification and highly appropriate textual exemplification. (b) Clear and detailed description of how they would communicate these characteristics through a range of highly appropriate performance concepts. A fair response (5-7 marks) … (a)Fairly detailed explanation of the tendency for the character to be manipulative and/or controlling with fairly detailed justification and appropriate textual exemplification. (b)Fairly clear and detailed description of how they would communicate these characteristics through a range of mainly appropriate performance concepts. A poor response (0-4 marks) … (a)Limited explanation of the tendency for the character to be manipulative and/or controlling with basic justification which lacks appropriate textual exemplification. (b) Limited description of how they would communicate these characteristics through acting performance concepts which may or may not be appropriate.