Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
Year 8

Creating a character using devising techniques

In this lesson, students will take one character from their plotline and develop this character, exploring drama conventions to develop characters. They will write a monologue for their character and annotate this with ideas of how to perform it. This lesson includes some physical activity. We recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting or doing the lesson with the trusted adult nearby.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
Year 8

Creating a character using devising techniques

In this lesson, students will take one character from their plotline and develop this character, exploring drama conventions to develop characters. They will write a monologue for their character and annotate this with ideas of how to perform it. This lesson includes some physical activity. We recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting or doing the lesson with the trusted adult nearby.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, students will take one character from their plotline, exploring drama conventions to develop characters. They will write a monologue for their character and annotate this with ideas of how to perform it.

Content guidance

  • Physical activity required.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Video

Share with pupils
Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz
Share with pupils

5 Questions

Q1.
What is a monologue?
A solo dance performance.
Correct answer: A speech delivered by one actor.
A train on one track.
Q2.
What is a still image?
Correct answer: A frozen picture which is acted to tell a story.
A painting.
A photograph kept in the freezer.
Q3.
What skills do we use in a still image?
Correct answer: Facial expressions, body language, gestures.
Gait, tempo, rhythm.
Pitch, pace volume.
Q4.
What is the title of the poem we are using for our stimulus?
The Colours that Sang.
Correct answer: When the Colours Spoke.
When the Colours Whispered.
Q5.
Which of these colours are all mentioned in the poem?
Indigo, brown, purple.
Mauve, turquoise, fuchsia.
Correct answer: Red, pink, green.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz
Share with pupils

5 Questions

Q1.
What is the definition of a cyclical narrative?
A narrative which is broken up and disordered.
Correct answer: A narrative which starts with the end, and then tells the story from beginning back to end.
A story about circles.
Q2.
What is the definition of a linear narrative?
A narrative which is fractured and broken up.
Correct answer: A narrative which tells a story from beginning to end.
A story about straight lines.
Q3.
What is the definition of a fractured narrative?
Correct answer: A narrative which is broken up and fractured, with flashbacks.
A narrative which runs chronologically.
A narrative which tells the story in a circle.
Q4.
Why do we use hot seating in Drama? (Tick two answers).
Correct answer: To develop our characters and our narrative in more depth.
Correct answer: To develop our improvisation skills.
To sell more tickets for our performance.
Q5.
Which answer gives good advice for improvising?
Correct answer: Just give it a go, stay in role and try to build on your ideas.
Perform it in full costume in front of a mirror.
Write it out first and read it.