Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description - This module engages students in the principles and the practice of effective dramatic writing. This is done in relation to both fiction and non-fiction texts. Texts from both traditional media and new media will be studied, including short films, radio plays, podcasts and the students’ own work. Students will assess existing texts in various media and learn to conceptualise dramatically and write short evocative scripts. They will develop ideas and drafts of short films, plays, sound podcasts and ads. Students will also evaluate group and individual work through peer-reviewing workshops. This module is run through a workshop format with in-class writing exercises. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Learn and describe the principles and practice of effective dramatic writing. 2. Write short evocative scripts 3. Assess existing texts from both traditional and new media. 4. Demonstrate dramatic conceptualisation by producing their own scripts. 5. Identify and develop appropriate structures for different media forms. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
1 A look at Young Irish Scriptwriters and finding ideas for plays/short films Group Writing exercise – build a story Meditation for Writers – Finding the Muse 2 TV Scripts Read a 30 minute TV script out loud in class (eg Young Offenders), then watch and discuss Group Writing exercise – name that person Meditation – Finding the Voice Within 3 The structure of a good film/play Identifying character, their primary desire, the block, the conduit to overcoming it and how the character changes. Writing exercise – Who Am I Meditation – You Are a Writer 4 Radio playscripts –writing for sound vs screen Read script aloud, listen to RTE play and discuss. Also, songwriting scripts which tell stories in radio ads. Read, listen and discuss. 5 How to write a travel podcast Good dramatic writing – show, don’t tell Listen to RTE Sunday Miscellanies and discuss Round table peer reviews by students of one another's work as in a professional writers’ group. 6 Advertisement Scripts. Listen to ads with stories and discuss. How popular songs and short books are turned into ad scripts. 7 Starting the ten-minute screenplay Students, in groups of four, percolate ideas and write the first page of their play. Read aloud to class and get feedback. Up to four drafts of each of these are completed in the module. The class act out their plays and students give feedback. Characters & Dialogue Script Visualization Theme, Style, & Symbol. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||