E-script: Playwriting course outline

The following is the outline for Bill Ballantyne's ten week playwriting course. A five week course is also available.

Students receive weekly feedback from the instructor, who will also be glad to answer questions and messages throughout the course.

Week 1: Course Introduction. Welcoming Video. E-mail lecture: "Spontaneity." Assignment: Character monologue.

Week 2: E-mail lecture: "Character." Assignment: Three character studies.

Week 3: E-mail lecture: "The Scene." Assignment: Write a short scene for two characters.

Week 4: E-mail lecture: "Text and Sub-text." Assignment: Write a scene of conflict without mentioning the source of disagreement.

Week 5: E-mail lecture: "Mixing It Up." Assignment: Write a short scene for three characters.

Week 6: E-mail lecture: "Comedy." Assignment: Write a short comedy scene, and let it go "over the top."

Week 7: E-mail lecture: "Tragedy." Assignment: Write a short scene using a supplied scenario.

Week 8: E-mail lecture: "The Mini-Play." Assignment: Write the beginning of your play.

Week 9: E-mail lecture: "The Middle." Assignment: Write the middle of your play.

Week 10: E-mail lecture: "The Ending." Assignment: Write your ending.