SCRIPTWRITING FOR DRAMA — Complete 8-Lesson Unit

A professional, performance-led writing scheme for KS3–KS4 / Grades 6–10

Drama + English Compatible | Full Unit | PowerPoints • Workbook • Lesson Plans • Assessments

Bring the rehearsal room into the classroom with this industry-inspired scriptwriting unit, designed to teach students how to write clear, playable, actor-friendly scripts through practical performance techniques.

This 8-lesson scheme is fully resourced, ready to teach, and perfect for Drama, Theatre, Performing Arts, Media, and Creative Writing classes. Every lesson blends performance, behaviour, structure, and drafting to mirror a real director/writer rehearsal process.

WHAT THIS UNIT TEACHES

Students learn how to:

✔ Write dialogue as behaviour, not “speech”
✔ Build characters using status, physicality, and BIGVLF
✔ Use beats, shifts, and turning points to structure scenes
✔ Draft professional-style scripts actors can actually play
✔ Edit using director-style rehearsal techniques
✔ Perform original scenes
✔ Produce a full writing portfolio with reflection & evaluation

This is scriptwriting taught through practical acting tools — high engagement, high challenge, high reward.

8 Full Lessons (Editable PowerPoints)

Lesson 1: Entering the Scene
Lesson 2: Characters in Action
Lesson 3: Writing Real Dialogue
Lesson 4: Structure & Beats
Lesson 5: From Improv to Script
Lesson 6: Rehearsal Room Editing
Lesson 7: Performance Showcase
Lesson 8: Writer’s Reflection (Optional portfolio lesson)

WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS UNIT

Student engagement skyrockets — writing is unlocked through performance.
Behaviour-led dialogue means students stop writing flat, expositional lines.
Rehearsal room editing gives students a real sense of craft.
Clear, playable script format prepares them for GCSE/AQA/OCR/Edexcel Drama.
Portfolio format also suits English Creative Writing outcomes.
Works brilliantly for mixed-ability classes.

PERFECT FOR:

KS3 Drama
KS4 Drama (foundation scene-writing)
Middle School & High School Theatre
English Creative Writing units
After-school Drama Clubs
Devising units (as preparation for script work)
Sub plans for extended projects
End-of-term performance work

NO PREP REQUIRED — TEACH TODAY

Everything is included:
✔ PowerPoints
✔ Student Workbook
✔ Lesson Plans
✔ Printable cards
✔ Assessments
✔ Reflection tasks
✔ Portfolio templates

Just print (or upload to Google Classroom), and teach.