IDIS 280-009
Lecture/Performance
Paper Guidelines

 

Please attend four (4) lectures or theatrical performances (at least one of each)
and respond with a critique that follows the guidelines listed here.

1. Please head your reaction paper as follows in the top left corner:

Name
Date
Course
Theatrical Title & Date

2. Please address the following questions in your reaction composition:
   If a theatrical performance:
      1) Please describe the theatrical work - title, playwright, type of theatre
      (musical, drama, comedy) - and a brief synopsis of the plot.
      2) What do you know of the playwright with respect to other works by
      him/her, themes that connect these works, and any aspects of
      autobiography or particular message the writer is conveying?
      3) How does this work compare with contemporary works?  How would
      you compare dialogue, characters, plot, etc to similar works written today?
      Are there different values reflected in this work from contemporary values
      and why?

   If a lecture:
      1) Please describe the lecture in terms of who spoke, his/her background,
      the lecture topic and a brief synopsis of the presentation.
      2) What do you know of the speaker regarding works written by him,
      professional of political positions held, and any other notable aspects of
      their career?  Is he/she part of a particular movement or cultural group?
      3) How does this lecture reflect or reject current themes and opinions? 
      What other prominent people share his/her views?

For both:
      4) Did you enjoy the performance/lecture?  Why or why not?  Any part of
      the performance or lecture in particular that was most memorable and why?
      Would you attend a play by this writer or another lecture by this speaker
      again?

Format:
      There is a 2-page minimum and it must be typed, double-spaced, using 12-point, 1-inch margins, and stapled.  If the response is sent by e-mail, please send as an attachment in Microsoft word.

Due Date: Please submit your reaction by the Friday following the performance.