Writing: A Play Basic 6 English Studies Lesson Note

Elements of a Play:

1. Title – Name of the play
2. Characters – List of people in the story
3. Setting – Where and when the story happens
4. Dialogue – What characters say
5. Stage directions – Instructions in brackets ()

How to Write a Play:

1. Choose Your Story:

• Pick a simple story with a clear message
• Have 2-4 characters maximum
• Make sure there’s a problem and solution

2. Plan Your Characters:

• Give each character a distinct personality
• Decide what each character wants
• Think about how they speak differently

3. Write the Dialogue:

• Make characters sound natural
• Each character should have their own way of speaking
• Use stage directions to show actions

Sample Play Format:

The Lost Pencil

Characters:

• BISI: A Primary 6 student
• TUNDE: Bisi’s classmate
• MRS. ADAMU: The class teacher

Setting: A Primary 6 classroom during break time

BISI: (looking under desks) Has anyone seen my pencil? I can’t find it anywhere!

TUNDE: (nervously) What does it look like?

BISI: It’s red with my name written on it. I need it for the Mathematics test.

Exercise K – Write Your Own Play

Topic: “The Helpful Friend”

Your play should include:

• At least 3 characters
• A clear setting (school, home, market, etc.)
• A simple problem that gets solved
• Dialogue that sounds natural
• Stage directions in brackets
• A good lesson or message

Planning Guide:

• Title: _________________________________
• Characters: _________________________________
• Setting: _________________________________
• Problem: _________________________________
• Solution: _________________________________
• Lesson: _________________________________

Exercise L – Play Writing Practice

Write a short play (10-15 lines of dialogue) about one of these topics:

1. A student who finds someone’s lost item
2. Friends working together to solve a problem
3. A child learning an important lesson

Remember to include:

• Character names before dialogue
• Stage directions in brackets
• Natural-sounding conversation
• A clear beginning, middle, and end