1. Phrasing Objectives Objectives Should Be:
Directed toward another character rather than oneself or the audience.
Directed toward the inner life of the character.

2. Phrasing Objectives Objectives Should Be:
Connected to the main idea of the play.
Phrased in the infinitive verb form, as simply as possible, and from the viewpoint of the character.

3. Phrasing Objectives Eliminate Nouns
I want a motorboat.
I want to earn enough money for a motorboat.

4. Phrasing Objectives Eliminate Nouns
I want a wife.
I want to win Tara’s heart.

5. Phrasing Objectives Eliminate Adjectives & “I am” phrases:
I am angry with her.
I want to destroy her.

6. Phrasing Objectives Eliminate Adjectives & “I am” phrases:
I am arrogant.
I want to belittle him.

7. Phrasing Objectives Avoid “to be” Phrases
I want to be his friend.
I want to convince George to take me with him.

8. Phrasing Objectives Avoid “to be” Phrases
I want to be alone.
I want to badger Amy into leaving the room.

9. Phrasing Objectives Use Active/Dynamic Verbs
Avoid intellectual verbs like cogitate or reciprocate.
Avoid behavioral verbs like sleep, laugh, sneeze, cry, wait, or stand.

10. Phrasing Objectives Use Active/Dynamic Verbs
Avoid existential verbs like to exist, to become, to live.
Avoid trigger verbs, i.e., verbs that depict action that occurs very quickly--shoot, slap, kick, or touch.

11. Phrasing Objectives Actable Verbs
I want to convince.
I want to mock.
I want to reassure.
I want to incite.

12. Phrasing Objectives An Active/Dynamic Verb A Receiver A Desired Response
I want to win Tara’s admiration.
I want to reduce my lover to tears.
I want to persuade Ann to kiss me.