Topdog/Underdog Lesson Plan

A Walk in the Parks

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will become familiar with Parks's unique stylistic devices through using them in their own creative writing

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.1

Structure:

Read Parks's "Author Notes" from the play with the class. Discuss any questions the students may have, and then distribute to the class examples of how other contemporary playwrights denote similar things (i.e. "Beat." or "A Pause.") Discuss what, if anything, is unique about Parks's stylistic elements.

Students should then write a two-character scene using Parks's 4...