Writing A Script

Prewriting

Choose a story in which things happen that can be seen and told with words that the puppets speak, called dialogue.

Write a list, called an action outline, to show the order in which things happen in the story. Cut out any parts of the story that are not important. Be sure to include a dramatic climax for the ending.

List the important characters.

Writing Your Script

Follow the model script below. Notice that the name of the character speaking is in capital letters. Parentheses are put around directions for how the words are spoken, how the puppets move, or any special effects that are needed.

The Ugly Duckling

NARRATOR: It is a lovely summertime day. In the tangle of plants growing by the edge of the water a duck sits on her nest.

(The sound of cracking eggs is heard.)

DUCKLINGS: Peep! Peep! Peep! Peep!

MOTHER DUCK: Quack! Quack!

(The ducklings waddle over to their mother when they are called.)

DUCKLING #1: Oh, how big the world is!

MOTHER DUCK: Do you suppose this is the whole world? Why, it goes a long way past the other side of the garden, right into the farmer's field. But I've never been as far as that. Well, you're all out now, I hope. No, not all; the largest egg is still here. How ever long will it be? I can't bother about it much more.

(Mother duck sits next to the egg to warm it a while longer.)

You may download, print and make copies of these pages for use in your classroom, provided that you include the copyright notice shown below in all such copies.