How to Write About Theatre

by Hudson, Suzanne

• ISBN13: 9780155080393
• ISBN10: 0155080393
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-07-30
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Combining basic composition and critical inquiry into the discipline of theatre, HOW TO WRITE ABOUT THEATRE AND DRAMA meets the fundamental needs of beginning theatre students to learn the unique and varied forms of theatre and drama in their role in our cultural heritage. Beginning with a discussion of the theatrical review, the text covers the forms of essays used in writing about theatre, research, matters of style, structure, and vocabulary.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
Why Must We Write About Theatre?	1	(1)
How Will This Book Help?	2	(1)
A Word About Structure and Process	2	(3)
SECTION 1: THE REVIEW	5	(38)
Preparing to Write the Review	7	(10)
Audience and Purpose	7	(2)
A Sample Review	9	(4)
``A Ghosts That Grows Evermore Lightweight''	10	(3)
Walter Kerr
Before You Go to the Theatre	13	(1)
At the Theatre	13	(1)
After You Leave the Theatre	14	(3)
Writing the Review	17	(22)
Write the Body Paragraphs	17	(10)
Write the Introduction	27	(5)
Write the Conclusion	32	(7)
Finishing and Reflecting upon the Review	39	(4)
Write a Title	39	(1)
Revise, Edit, and Proofread Your Review	39	(4)
SECTION 2: THE CRITICAL ESSAY	43	(150)
Preparing to Write the Critical Essay	45	(24)
Audience and Purpose	45	(1)
The Four Modes of Discourse	46	(3)
A Play	49	(11)
Trifles	49	(11)
Susan Glaspell
Generate Ideas	60	(9)
Writing the Analytical Essay	69	(22)
Think It Through	69	(13)
A Sample Analytical Essay	73	(1)
``Minnie Wright's Quilt''	74	(8)
Draft the Introductory Paragraph	82	(1)
Organize the Evidence	82	(1)
Write the Body Paragraphs	83	(3)
Finish the Occasion and Write the Conclusion	86	(1)
Cite Your Sources	87	(1)
Write a Title	88	(1)
Revise, Edit, and Proofread Your Paper	88	(1)
Format Your Paper	89	(2)
Four Sample Analytical Essays	91	(38)
How Does X Contribute to Y?	91	(7)
``T.S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral''	92	(6)
Patricia Mosco Holloway
Suggested Research Questions for Essays	98	(1)
How Does X Compare to Y?	98	(9)
``Juliet and Romeo: Active Realist and Ineffective Romanticist''	99	(8)
Kathleen Casey
Suggested Research Questions for Essays	107	(1)
What Is the Cause of X?	107	(10)
``King Lear: Politician, Not Egotist''	109	(7)
James Covi
Suggested Research Questions for Essays	116	(1)
What Is the Appeal of X?	117	(12)
``Desdemona: Death of a Tragic Heroine''	118	(10)
Brian Keltner
Suggested Research Questions for Essays	128	(1)
Writing the Argumentative Essay	129	(24)
Generate Ideas	129	(1)
Think It Through	129	(2)
Draft the Introductory Paragraph	131	(2)
Organize the Evidence	133	(1)
Write the Body Paragraphs	133	(2)
Finish the Essay	135	(2)
A Sample Argumentative Essay	137	(16)
``Willy Loman's Moment of Recognition''	137	(16)
Zachary M. Bush
Writing the Research Paper	153	(40)
Two Sample Research Papers	155	(29)
``The Carolingian Renaissance: Its Theatre and Impact on the Drama of the Middle Ages	155	(15)
Sharon Huizinga
``A Defense of Oleanna''	170	(14)
Suzanne Hudson
Go the Library	184	(1)
Read the Articles You Have Collected	185	(1)
Write the Research Paper	185	(1)
Cite Your Sources	186	(6)
Finish the Research Paper	192	(1)
SECTION 3: WRITING ABOUT THEATRE AND DRAMA WITH STYLE	193	(52)
Definitions of Basic Terms	195	(10)
Parts of Speech	195	(3)
Sentence Parts	198	(2)
Phrases and Clauses	200	(3)
Sentence Types	203	(2)
Sentence Structures	205	(10)
Sentence Fragments	205	(1)
Run-on Sentences	206	(1)
Awkward Sentence Constructions	207	(8)
Word Choices	215	(16)
Choosing Verbs	215	(5)
Choosing Pronouns	220	(6)
Wordiness	226	(1)
Nonsexist Language	227	(1)
Use a Usage Glossary, Dictionary, and Thesaurus	228	(3)
Punctuation	231	(14)
Comma	231	(4)
Semicolon	235	(1)
Colon	236	(1)
Dash	236	(1)
Apostrophe	237	(1)
Quotation Marks	238	(4)
Incorporating Quotations into Your Paper	242	(3)
Notes	245
Credits	C-1
Index	I-1