Signature Pedagogies for the Playwriting Classroom

Introduction
Chapter One—Setting the Stage
The backstory on playwriting: how we got to where we are
Lore as the pedagogical standard in playwriting
Who is the learner in our classrooms: instructing the novice
A qualitative approach to disciplinary research: what is going on out there?
The book's organization
What it is/What it isn't
Chapter 2: The Challenge of the Romantic Model
Understanding the challenge
What educators think
Teaching self-efficacy: I can do this; I can write a play!
Chapter Three: Instructional Objectives, or Why Teach Playwriting?
The challenge: not just the vocational objective
Multiple objectives for playwriting instruction
Using expanded objectives to justify the offering
Chapter Four: Linear Versus Non-linear Models of Theatre in the Classroom
Closed and open models for plays
Some historical context
Teaching using the linear approach: pro
Teaching using a linear model: con
Dealing with this tension in the playwriting classroom
Frameworks and models / the advance organizer
Let the student lead
Chapter Five: Teaching Playwriting as a Process
Understanding the challenge known as "focusing on product" not process
Stages in the writing process
Strategies for teaching "process": pre-writing, writing, rewriting
Chapter Six: Signature Pedagogies--The Writing Exercise
The value and purpose of the writing exercise
Exploring the universe of writing exercises
Setting up, conducting, following through
Linear and non-linear approaches and the writing exercise
Chapter Seven: The Mentor Text as a Signature Pedagogy
What is a mentor text?
The value of the mentor text
Students don't read the plays
Building a comprehensive, yet diverse, reading list
Talking about the play versus learning how to write a play
Teaching the play in class
What about copyright?
Chapter Eight: The Playwrights Workshop
What is the playwrights workshop?
Context and background for the workshop
The purpose of the playwrights workshop
Strategies for a playwrights workshop with novices
Chapter Nine: Other Pedagogical Models
Self-Efficacy and the playwriting instructor
Context assessment
Time management
Understanding student goals
Non-Mentor texts / Secondary texts
Next steps for students when the class ends
Chapter Ten: Bringing the Curtain Down
Lore as a pedagogical practice
Applications to other forms of dramatic writing (screenwriting, digital storytelling)
Playwriting instructor as dramaturg
A call to action for the discipline and the instructor
Appendix A: A Proposed Flow for a Playwriting Class for Novices
Appendix B: A Playwrights Workshop Punch List for Critique
Works Cited
Index