TESTING THE WATERS
(Being Intentional, Using Improv Rules, and Articulating Vowel Trouble Spots)
Description:
STEP 1 (VOWEL): Identify three vowel sounds that you have the greatest difficulty saying.
Example: VOWEL#1: the sound /i/ in the word “please”
VOWEL#2: the sound /ow/ in the word “soap”
VOWEL#3: the sound /a/ in the word “hot”
STEP 2 (PROMPT): Write the “prompts” for three different improv scenes. Each prompt should highlight or showcase one of the specific difficult vowel sounds you identified above. Be sure to underline the vowel sound you are practicing.
Example:
PROMPT#1: For the vowel sound /i/:
I’m so weak right now! I really need to sleep more than three hours during the week.
PROMPT#2: For the vowel sound /ow/:
Oh…so you want to know where I’m going to go blow all my dough?
PROMPT#3: For the vowel sound /a/:
Gosh! We’ve had a lot of nonstop hot days. I need to shop for flipflops!
STEP 3 (EMOTION): For each prompt, choose two distinctly different emotions.
#1: frustrated ßà optimistic and happy
#2: suspicious ß à business like
#3: excited ß à weak
STEP 4 (CHOOSING “ACTORS” FOR YOUR SCENES): Choose six different people to use your improv prompts with. RYou can approach doing this assignment with a variety of people:
· CLASSMATE or FRIEND (who knows you are doing a homework assignment)
· LANGUAGE INSTITUTE STUDENT, TEACHER, or STAFF (who doesn’t know you are doing a homework assignment)
· A NATIVE SPEAKER (who you don’t know very well)
STEP 5 (TESTING THE WATERS WITH YOUR IMPROV SKILLS):
Know your intention with each scene. What is the emotion you want to communicate? If you want to show that you are frustrated, how will you use your voice, face, limbs, and trunk? How will you adjust your behavior to communicate a different emotion like happiness using the same prompt?
Also, think about what you want from the other person. Do you want him/her to be sympathetic, give you advice, do something for you…?
Keep the scene going until you have had a chance to see where it goes. You will be able to keep the scene going by following the rules of improv:
1. Say yes to my partner
2. Accept what my partner gives me and respond
3. Make my partner look good
4. Respond from the thoughts and feelings I have while listening
5. I will use the good idea I have and wait or search for the great idea
6. I will be willing to take risks and fail
7. I will have fun
STEP 6 (REFLECT, REPORT, RECORD):
After each improv scene, reflect on what happened. Write down some notes considering the following: What did you experience? What surprised you? Were you able to extend the scene by using the rules of the improv? What did you do to communicate your intention?
Then, for your homework grade do two things: 1) Type your notes and post them on our class blog. 2) Video record yourself delivering your 3 prompts, expressing each prompt with two emotions. In the video recording be sure to demonstrate your change in intention by using your voice, face, limbs and trunk differently.
Remember! Always make your partner look good!
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