The final mark for English 431 will be determined on the basis of the components listed below:
Scene Analysis—10% of the total mark (1000 words)
Essay 1—25% of the total mark (2000 words)
Essay 2—25% of the total mark (2000 words)
Examination—40% of the total mark
A supplementary exam is available, should you fail on the first attempt. Please consult with your tutor before attempting the supplementary exam.
The passing grade for English 431 is 50 per cent. However, some post-secondary institutions require a higher average for the purposes of transfer credit. Check with the Office of the Registrar at the institution to which you are applying.
Scene Analysis
At the end of “Scene II,” submit a scene analysis of 1000 words to your tutor. In order to receive early feedback on your work, you should submit this first assignment near the end of the first month of your enrolment in the course.
You may choose one of the following scenes for analysis:
George Ryga, The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, Modern Canadian Plays, Vol. I, Act Two, pp. 46-48 (to the end of the “musical interlude” after the lines, “An’ gave me a job in the city!”)
Michel Tremblay, Les Belles-Soeurs, Modern Canadian Plays, Vol. I, Act Two, p. 128 (from “Spotlight on ROSE OUIMET” to the end of the play).
John Herbert, Fortune and Men’s Eyes, Modern Canadian Plays, Vol. I, Act One, Scene One, pp. 66-75.
In your scene analysis consider the following, where relevant:
- Defining the Action
- list of events (development and climax)
- significance of events in terms of the tragic or comic situation
- consequences
- rhythm (movement and stillness)
- emotional development (tension and relaxation)
- Setting
- place and time
- significance
- Characterization
- presentation (how the characters define themselves, how they are defined by others)
- degree of self-awareness
- credibility
- main argument or point of view—relationship to main action—function in the scene
- interaction with other characters (conflict)
- significance of names
- Dialogue
- as an expression of character
- style of language (prosaic or poetic, direct or indirect)
- use of allusion
- tone
- rhythm (recurring patterns)
- monologue or soliloquy
- debate or discussion
- Structure
- introduction, development, conclusion
- climax
- dramatic foreshadowing—irony
- dramatic interest (expectation, gratification, unpredictability)
- Imagery
- verbal
- spatial (in the set or properties)
- Conclusion
- total effect of the scene
For further information on script analysis, consult your tutor. Texts on script analysis are available at the Athabasca University library, including:
Grote, David. Script Analysis: Reading and Understanding the Playscript for Production. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1985.
Thomas, James. Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers. Boston: Focal Press, 1995.
Examination
Once you have completed the scene analysis and the two essays, you should contact the registry and arrange to write the final examination. Procedures for applying for the exam are outlined in the next section, and in the current edition of the Athabasca University Calendar on the web site or in print.
You have three hours in which to write the final examination. It is a “closed book” exam. You will not be permitted use any texts or instructional aids. The exam is worth 40 per cent of the final grade. You must write the exam in order to receive credit for English 431.
You have the option of writing a Supplemental Exam should you fail on the first attempt, or if you wish to improve your mark. The higher mark for the original or the supplemental exam will be calculated in the final mark.
The format of the examination is as follows:
Part A: The first part of the exam resembles the Scene Analysis. You will be asked to analyse two short excerpts from plays on the course in terms of characterization, themes or ideas, imagery, and style.
Part B: Three short-answer questions, based on the Study Questions in the Study Guide. You should write a paragraph of about ten sentences for each question, supporting your answer with reference to the pertinent play.
Part C: An essay of 500 words, comparing two plays in terms of a topic.
