6th+Grade+project

Hey sixth graders! This page has been specially designed to help answer any questions that there might be about your upcoming project. Information about plot structure, characterization, key elements of Audio Theater as well as writing powerful dialogue is all right here. This page should help spark some great ideas in your bright young minds, so read on and become inspired to excell in the creation of your very own Greek mythology project.


 * Plot Structure:** Plot-Sequence of related events and situations to emphasize cause and effects and to elicit reader interest

The exposition is usually the introduction to the reader or audience about the setting, characters and basic situation. The conflict will usually start to develop from this moment.Gilgamesh starts by introducing the city of Uruk and how Gilgamesh had built it.
 * 1.** **Exposition**

The initiating action is the event that brings opposing forces into conflict for the first time. There are two types of conflict: external conflict, a struggle with something or someone outside of the character, and internal conflict when the character has a struggle within him (or her) self. In Gilgamesh, this action is when the nobles finally became annoyed at Gilgamesh's outrageous behavior and creates Enkidu to come and face Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh and Enkidu eventually have an external conflict which is a battle in where neither men win. But before the fight, Enkidu also has internal conflict in dreams which told him about a man with equal strength to his and they should not fight because eventually they become friends. On a plot graph, the rising action is the line leading from the initiating action to the climax. Rising action refers to a group of events that will eventually lead to the final confrontation in the climax. This could be a series of obstacles or trials that the character must confront, such as in Gilgamesh when Gilgamesh must face the long tunnel and ocean to reach his ultimate goal, eternal life.
 * 2.** **Initiating action**
 * 3. Rising Action**

**4. Climax** The Climax is the moment of the greatest tension caused by the consequences of the rising action, most often at the end of a story. It is located between the rising action and falling action on a plot graph. The Climax keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and resolves any conflicts that developed throughout the story, such as when Guilgamesh is faced with the decision to kill Humbaba or let him live.

The events following the climax. By this point the conflict is permanently resolved and one party establishes power over the other. In Gilgamesh, this would be after Gilgamesh fails to stay awake for seven days, and Utampishtm proves to Gilgamesh he does not have what it takes to be a god.
 * 5. Falling Action**

The denouement finalizes the plot and concludes the story. The consequences from the resolution are established, and the fate of the characters are determined. The denouement of Gilgamesh is when Utampishtm sends Giglamesh back to Uruk with the everlasting youth plant, which gets stolen by a snake.
 * 6. Denouement**


 * Characterization**

The narrator or author defines character traits and explains emotions or personalities.
 * 1. Direct Characterization**

The author uses the physical traits of a character to allow the audience to make inferences about the personality of a character. Also, the author can use the character's past life with their family and society to characterize them. Just remember to STEAL: S: Speech T: Thoughts E: Effect on others toward the character A: Actions L: Looks
 * 2. Indirect Characterization**

The main character, whose goals conflict with the antagonist's efforts.
 * 3. Protagonist**

The opposing force against the protagonist.
 * 4. Antagonist**

The complete opposite of the protagonist, which emphasizes the characterization of the main character.
 * 5. Foil**

The three-dimensional, major character changes over the course of the story. The character generally encounters a conflict, which further develops and describes the character. A round character’s complexity usually results in a bigger impact on the reader. The two-dimensional, minor character presents a relatively uncomplicated part in the story line. Flat characters tend to have only one or two dominant qualities, which are not balanced by an opposite. In other words, they are either all good or all bad. Flat characters have no character depth, and do not change over the course of the story.
 * 6. Round Character**
 * 7. Flat Character**

A character that does not undergo important change in the course of the story and remains essentially the same at the end as he or she was at the beginning. Static characters are usually secondary or supporting characters whom don't affect the story much.
 * 8. Static Character**

A character that changes drastically throughout the course of the story as a result of certain events. This character usually gains some sort of understanding or insight. These sorts of characters are usually main characters of a story.
 * 9. Dynamic Character**

Here are a few necessary elements to audio theater in order to capture listeners:
 * Key Elements of Audio Theater**

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 * Method for Writing a Radio Play**

1. Start out by reading the story that you are adapting. As you read look for major plot line, characters, and dialogue.

2. Summarize the story as if you were retelling it to a friend. Try to include main ideas, but any details you don't remember are probably unimportant.

3. Determine the structure and which actions reveal major progression in plot line. (Beginning, Middle, and End)

4. Carefully decide which characters are unimportant and can be cut out. Also, take out any sub-topics that don't directly relate to the main idea or plot.

5. Tell your newly adapted story to someone else and ask for feedback. Ask specifically if the became bored or confused at any point throughout the story.

6. Determine the scenes that are absolutely necessary and lay out a bare structure for your story.

7. Make your story radio friendly.
 * follow one major plot line and try to avoid long speeches
 * vary your dialogue;keep it interesting
 * limit the number of characters in a scene (4 max.)
 * add action to each scene
 * make use of the narrator
 * have specific dialogue: it makes the story more believable

All good radio plays contain powerful dialogue since exciting dialogue maintains the listener's interest. Keep the dialogue concise and to the point, and make sure it sounds emotional and direct. Also, the dialogue should respond to the situation and the character's goals in that situation.
 * Powerful Dialogue**

At the beginning of the play, draw your readers in by starting with excitement: start with high energy and action. Make sure to have an interesting and strong plot throughout the entire play, but also make sure to balance that with the characters: they serve just as important of a role. Also, use narrating effectively by drawing the narration right up into the scene. Be sure to use narration to provide long, meaningful insights rather than short bursts.

Begin each scene with a clear introduction of setting and situation. Following the introduction, characters should be introduced along with a goal they want to achieve during that scene. Then, somehow relate the scene and its meaning to the overall plot. Near the end, one character should achieve something which is the minor purpose of the scene. Lastly, transition from the current to the coming scene in a logical and clear way.
 * Scene Development**


 * Hot Links:**

//Resources for Plot Structure:// 1. Mrs. Holmgren 2. "Literary Elements." Yorba Middle School Website. Yorba Middle School. 12 Feb. 2008 < [|http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/literary_elements.htm>.]

//Resources for Characterization:// 1. Mrs. Holmgren 2. "Flat and Round Characters." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica. 12 Feb. 2008 < [9125184/flat-and-round-characters%3E.|[[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9125184/flat-and-round-characters%3E.|http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9125184/flat-and-round-characters>.] ]] 3. "Lierary Elements." Yorba Middle School Website. Yorba Middle School. 12 Feb. 2008 < [|http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/literary_elements.htm>.] 4. Wiehardt, Ginny. "Flat Character." About.Com. 2008. New York Times. 12 Feb. 2008 < [|http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/glossary/g/flatcharacters.htm>.] 5. Wiehardt, Ginny. "Round Character." About.Com. 2008. New York Times. 12 Feb. 2008 < [|http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/glossary/g/RoundCharacter.htm]> 6. Mons, J. "Mons Static/Dynamic Character Page." 7 Apr. 2006. 12 Feb. 2008 < [|http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/CS255W06/cs255students/monsj/P8/StaticDynamic.html>.] 7. Flanagan, Mark. "Climax." __About.Com__. 2008. New York Times. 12 Feb. 2008 < [|http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/literaryterms/g/climax.htm>.]

//Resources for Principles of Dialogue:// Palermo, Tony. "Narration in Radio Drama." __Tony Palermo's RuyaSonic Site.__ 12 Feb. 2008. < [|http://ruyasonic.com/wrt_narration.htm>.] Crook, Tim. "Principles of Writing Radio Drama." __Principles of Writing Radio Drama.__ 10 Feb. 2008. < [|http://www.irdp.co.uk/scripts.htm>.]

//Resources for Pictures:// 1. Davidson, Drew. __Classic Literary Plot Diagram__. __Waxebb.Com__. 18 Feb. 2008 http://waxebb.com/writings/plot.jpg. 2. __Man, Cartoon Fat Guy Holding Tummy__. __Speedysigns.Com__. Speedysigns.Com, Inc. 18 Feb. 2008 <[|http://www.speedysigns.com/images/decals/400c/SDEPSL2/CARTOONS/SAA0643.gif>.] 3. __Flat Stanley__. __Cybercloud.Com__. 18 Feb. 2008 <[|http://www.cybercloud.com/flatstanley/FlatStanley.gif>.] 4. __Community Radio Cartoon__. __Bnnrc.Net__. 18 Feb. 2008 <[|http://www.bnnrc.net/images/pagemaster/CommunityRadioCartoon1.gif>.] 5. __Gripping Read__. __Istockphoto.Com__. IStock International Inc. 18 Feb. 2008 <[|http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2169751/2/istockphoto_2169751_gripping_read.jpg>.]