Writing Guidelines for Critiques: TH 141-

Introduction to Theatre
Assignment Alignment with Course Objectives:

Creative Thinking
1) Embrace Contradictions:
a) Incorporate alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas within the
context of the discipline and the shape of the work.
Critical Thinking
2) Utilize Context:
a) Evaluate the relevance of context when presenting a position.
b) Identify assumptions.
c) Analyze one’s own and others’ assumptions.
3) Understand Implications and Make Conclusions:
a) Establish a conclusion that is tied to the range of information presented.
b) Reflect on implications and consequences of stated conclusion.
Diversity & Global Learning
4) Build Self-Awareness:
a) Demonstrate how their own attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs compare or relate to those
of other individuals, groups, communities, or cultures.
5) Examine Perspectives:
a) Examine diverse perspectives when investigating social and behavioral topics within
natural or human systems.
Written/Oral Communication
6) Develop Content and Message:
a) Create and develop ideas within the context of the situation and the assigned task(s).
7) Use Sources and Evidence:
a) Critically read, evaluate, apply, and synthesize evidence and/or sources in support of a
claim.

Assignment Instructions:

STEP ONE (if applicable):

Make sure you are watching/attending an approved or assigned production for critique. (Check the
course syllabus since these requirements vary depending on course delivery.)
 Note: Movies, TV shows, and other artforms designed exclusively for the screen
unacceptable for this assignment. When using BroadwayHD, make sure you choose
something that is a recording of a performance, not a film adaptation. o
  There might also be acceptable productions for streaming on other platforms, including
YouTube, Amazon, and/or Netflix. If you are unsure if your streamed event is acceptable,
just email and ask your instructor.

STEP TWO (if applicable):

Submit your option(s) (due in Module 4) regarding production(s) available to you to secure
instructor permission on whether the productions will fulfill this assignment. Again, you are looking
for a fully-staged production of a scripted play/musical. The following are unacceptable:
 One-person shows (including stand-up comedy)
 Amateur productions (including elementary-high school performances or church pageants)
 Dance, orchestral or pop music concerts o Please note that ALL these types of performances
would be acceptable for extra credit.

STEP THREE:
Once you have secured your instructor’s approval, stream or attend the performances at your
convenience. Be sure plan your accordingly to give you time to both view, process your thoughts, an
then write your paper before the due date.

Other suggestions:
 Invite a friend or family member to join you. Talk to them about the show afterward and
compare reactions to help you solidify your own impressions.
 Pay attention to the show and avoid taking notes. At intermission or as soon as possible
when the play is over, make a list of your impressions, both positive and negative. List
moments/images that stick with you. Note questions or conclusions you’ve drawn.
 Do not wait too long to start getting your ideas on paper. Details and examples start to fade
with time, and you will need those things to complete the assignment.

**Papers are due dates can be found on Canvas, but it is highly recommended that you stream your
productions well in advance. This will ensure you hold yourself accountable and account for human
error/illness/emergencies that could arise.**

WRITING YOUR CRITIQUE

Format Criteria: The WORD document should be double-spaced and typed in a 12-point font,
preferably Times New Roman or Calibri, with standard one-inch margins at the top, bottom and on
the sides of each page.
 Minimum Length Required: 2 full pages of text
 Maximum Length Allowed: 4 full pages of text
 You do not need a title page or a bibliography.
Content Organization: Answer in-depth each of the three questions asked of a theatre critic,
demonstrating your understanding of the theatre artists’ purposes, the effectiveness of their talents
and abilities to accomplish their purposes, and the ultimate worth of the production in your
opinion, rating your recommendation to others with a letter grade.

Part I: Introduction/Statement of Purpose

 Critical Question #1: What were the theatre artists (producer/director, actors, designers,
etc.) trying to do?

In general, these theatre artists presumably chose a good story and then tried to tell it well: either
to entertain the audience, or to create a work of theatrical art, or BOTH. In the first paragraph or
two, describe your understanding of what they were trying to do when making their staging, acting,
design, or structural choices in the process of bringing the play to life.
 Important WARNING! You are not analyzing or critiquing the PLAYWRIGHT’s contribution to
the process. In other words, you are not writing a literary essay. You do not need to
summarize or discuss the plot, character objectives, or language the playwright used. This is
NOT a book report. The story is a given.
 Your task is to describe, analyze and evaluate how well the theatre artists told the story,
rather than dissect the story itself. Therefore, in answering Critical Question #1, you first
need to consider why this production ensemble/group of artists chose to realize this story
as a piece of theatre. Why go through the time, effort and expense to stage this work here
and now for you?

Part II: Body of the Paper/Analysis of Effectiveness

 Critical Question #2: How well did they accomplish what they were trying to do?

This section will comprise the majority of your paper’s content. Having established the criteria for
your judgments in Part I, Part II will allow you to substantiate your reactions by providing evidence
of the production’s quality (or lack thereof) using at least five (5) specific examples.

 In separate paragraphs, describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the contributions to the
success (or failure) of the production. Check the rubric to see if specific contributions MUST
be considered. Potential contributors are as follows:
o Producer/Director(s) - Example: Judgment calls on the producer(s)’ choice of venue
and audience configuration and/or the director’s use of the stage space or theatrical
concept. o Actors - Who were your favorite performers? How did they
effectively/believably portray their characters? In what areas were they uniquely
talented? Which actors were less impressive? Why were they ineffective? Describe
moments when you were totally engaged vs. clearly distanced.
 **Hint: this is NOT a critique of character. This is the actor’s performance of
the character.
 Actors can take up only 2 of the required 5 specific examples needed in each
critique
 o Designers – At least one paragraph should cite specific examples of the success or
failure of design elements. There are several to choose from:
 Scenery
 Lighting
 Music and/or Sound
 Costume and Makeup
 Special Effects (SFX) o DO NOT write a plot summary or critique the
story itself. You are critiquing the performance elements that made the story
come to life.

Part III: Conclusion/Ultimate Value

 Critical Question #3: Was the production worth doing?

In the concluding paragraphs of your paper, you need to state your personal opinion regarding the
overall value of the theatre experience. Was it worth your time and money? Would you recommend
this production to others? Would you see it again?
 Assign the production a quantitative rating in the form of a letter grade, summarizing your
rationale for why you think the production deserves that grade.
 You do not need to use phrases such as, “I think…” or “In my opinion…” or “It seemed to
me…” The reader knows that these are your thoughts and opinions based on your own
assumptions.

Part IV: Grammar, Spelling, Word Choice, and Style

The final portion of grading for this assignment will consider academic standards in writing. Papers
should be devoid of errors in grammar, including punctuation and capitalization, which distract
from the content. Word choices should be appropriate and thoughtfully applied. Progression of
thought should be easy to follow and examples should be clear and articulated. Titles of plays
should be in italics.

A Note on Plagiarism & Academic Integrity:

This course adheres to the Academic Integrity Policy of the Colorado State University General
Catalog. Since this in an opinion paper, it is completely unethical to present someone else’s analysis
as your own. If you reference other materials, you need to cite accordingly. This, however, is
unnecessary. You are pulling from your own experience watching the production, so outside
research and reference material should not be used or referenced. Furthermore, lying is
unacceptable. To say that you watched or attended a production when you didn’t and present
invented analysis is falsification. This unethical behavior is also against the Student Honor Code.

All submissions will be scanned through Turnitin.com. Be aware that plagiarism and falsification will
result in an automatic zero for the assignment and the potential for further repercussions if deemed
necessary. In most cases, documentation with Student Conduct Services is required. Repeated
offenses will result in an automatic F for the course and hearing with Student Conduct Services.