This article offers playwriting and other arts-based literacies as dynamic and multifaceted alternatives to the traditional high school research paper. The authors present an analysis of what happened when a teacher asked students to conduct research on a human rights issue and represent their research in a five-scene play. They contend that…

Devised work provides an opportunity for marginalized voices to be heard. Devised collaborative work has the flexibility to be successful with a small or large cast, actors of any age group, either with a traditional or a nontraditional student population. A devised ensemble play is typically based around a single theme or central concept. As with…

Relates the steps in the process of students' productions of radio plays, which can inspire quality writing experiences. (RL)

Describes a successful exercise which involved junior high school students in writing a musical comedy. (DD)

Suggests that the theme of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is an oxymoron linking the two apparently contradictory ideas of death and sexual love. (RBW)

Describes a classroom collaborative activity in which students are asked to write one-act plays based on three characters, two of whom know each other, and a third who affects the other two. Presents details of carrying out the assignment, and evaluates student response. (HB)

High-school English students learn to analyze short stories by being given a situation the actual author has used and writing scripts to develop the plot and situation. Only later are they assigned the story to read and discuss. In Nold's experience, they develop both imagination and heightened critical awareness. (PD)

Describes a senior elective course in Western Civilization which focused on an original play written by the teacher and produced by the students. (DD)

Describes a classroom program in which students adapted and then produced a play based on the adolescent novel "The Chocolate War." Notes group improvisation strategies for adapting internal monologue to dialogue. Argues the advantages of such a project over class discussion and book reports. (JG)

Gives an overview of how one English teacher uses students' inherent understanding of film by asking them to write movie scripts. Advocates the use of screenwriting in the classroom. Details numerous reasons for such methods, and describes eight specific suggested class activities employing script writing. (HB)