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Supporting Notes Guidance Unit 4 Devised

In addition to presenting their devised drama, your students will need to providesupporting notes which will demonstrate their understanding and application of theirchosen theatrical style to their devised material. The notes should also include a list ofplay(s) read and evaluation of the production(s) seen performed in the chosen style.

The supporting notes should be divided into three separate sections as outlined in thespecification in the Supporting Notes item at the start of Section 3.5. Each sectionshould be between 500 and 700 words in length, so that the document, intotal, shouldbe approximately 1500-2000 words.

Do note that these recommended word allowances are intended to ensure that allstudents taking this examination are working within the guidelines set down by AQA andwhile there will be no specific penalty for work that is under- or over-length, the criteriafor assessment are such that students who offer under-developed or excessively longnotes are unlikely to achieve marks in the upper mark bands.

Remember that the assessment criteria for each section of the supporting notes havebeen written with the recommended length of 500-700 words in mind. So, for example,you should interpret the phrase detailed, to mean detailed within a 500-700 word section.

This next extract is taken directly from part 3.5 of the specification and it tells you exactlywhat needs to be in each section of your supporting notes.

Section 1Evidence of exploration/research into the selectedtheatrical style, identifying its key features, andjustification of the choice in relation to clear dramaticintentions for an audience. To be supported by a listof play(s) read and evaluation of the production(s)seen performed in the chosen style as well as a list ofsources and resources (as appropriate).

Section 2Outline of devising strategies and of the production/performance skills applied to create drama whichfulfils shared aims; assessment of refinement ofthe devised work in the light of both practical andtheoretical research and feedback.

Section 3Evaluative judgement of the piece and of its potentialefectiveness for an audience as a piece of livetheatre. Candidates should outline, in particular, theirown contribution to the genesis and developmentof the piece. Assessment of the development ofthe nominated skill in relation to the chosen style oftheatre; awareness of health and safety factors.

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Part (a) Preparation anddevelopment Unit 4A mark out of 5 is to be awarded for eachof thefollowing three sections:

Section 1

45 marks Candidates will demonstratesecureunderstanding of the style of theatrethat they have chosen to work in aswell as a strong commitment to it,throughout the devising process, torealise very clear dramatic intentions forthe audience.23 marks Candidates will demonstratesomeunderstanding of the style of theatrethat they have chosen to work inas well as some commitment to it,

throughout the devising process, torealise somewhat generalised dramaticintentions for the audience.1 mark Candidates will demonstratepartialunderstanding of the style of theatrethat they have chosen to work in andoccasional commitment to it throughoutthe devising process. Dramaticintentions for the audience may beunderdeveloped.

Section 2

45 marks Candidates will demonstrate ahigh

degree of creative co-operation andinventiveness throughout the devisingprocess. They will maintain a high levelof self-discipline and employ successfuldevising strategies. Candidates willdisplay sound critical and evaluativejudgements of live theatre, includingtheir own work as well as widerproductions seen, as they develop theirwork, in its distinctive style, promising asuccessful outcome.23 marks Candidates will demonstratesomeattempt at creative co-operation andoccasional inventiveness during thedevising process. They will exhibita reasonable level of self-discipline,employing some useful devisingstrategies. Candidates will display somecritical and/or evaluative judgement asthey develop their work, in its distinctivestyle, suggesting an acceptable outcome.1 mark Candidates will demonstraterestricted

creative co-operation and willingness toexperiment during the devising process.They will appear to lack the necessaryself-discipline in devising. Candidateswill display restricted critical and/orevaluative judgement as they developtheir work, in the nominated style,

making a positive outcome unlikely.Section 3

45 marks Candidates will demonstratesignificantdevelopment of their nominated skill inrelation to the production/performancerequirements of the devised work.These will be precisely attuned to theneeds of the piece and be entirelyappropriate to the chosen style of theatre.23 marks Candidates will demonstratesomedevelopment of their nominated skill in

relation to the production/performancerequirements of the devised work.These will be generally appropriate tothe needs of the piece and be largelysuitable to the chosen style of theatre.1 mark Candidates will demonstratelimiteddevelopment of their nominated skill inrelation to the production/performancerequirements of the devised work.These may not be appropriate to theneeds of the piece nor to the chosenstyle of theatre.

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Part (b) Supporting notes Unit 4A mark out of 5 is to be awarded for eachof thefollowing three sections:

Section 1

45 marks Candidates will provide clearandconcise evidence of detailed practicalexploration and research into thechosen style of presentation, includingpurposeful reference to live theatreseen. Dramatic intentions for theaudience will be well-defined. Specialistterminology will be used confidentlyas candidates reflect thoughtfully andcritically on their application of the chosenstyle to the developing piece of theatre.23 marks Candidates will provide some

evidenceof their practical exploration/researchinto the chosen style of presentation,including useful reference to livetheatre seen. Dramatic intentions forthe audience will be clearly stated.Specialist terminology will be usedoccasionally as candidates ofer somemeaningful, critical reflection upon theirapplication of the chosen style to thedeveloping piece of theatre.1 mark Candidates will provide a littleevidenceof their practical exploration/research

into the chosen style of presentationincluding reference to live theatre seen.Dramatic intentions for the audience willbe generalised. Specialist terminology willrarely be used accurately as candidatesofer insucient critical reflection upontheir application of the chosen style tothe developing piece of theatre.

Section 2

45 marks Candidates will ofer cleardetails aboutthe devising process, providing usefulexamples of the ways in which they haverefined their work, in the light of bothpractical and theoretical research andfeedback, to fulfil precisely defined aims.23 marks Candidates will ofer somedetailsabout the devising process, providingoccasional examples of the ways in whichthey have refined their work, in the lightof both practical and theoretical researchand feedback, to fulfil quite clear aims.1 mark Candidates will ofer a few details

about the devising process, providingunderdeveloped exemplification of theways in which they have shaped theirwork and restricted evidence of usingpractical and theoretical research and/or feedback to help them to achievegeneral aims.

Section 345 marks There is detailed andpurposefulassessment of the piece and of itspotential efectiveness for an audienceas a piece of live theatre. Candidatesinclude clear evaluation of thedevelopment of the nominated skill interms of achieving the selected styleof theatre. Health and safety factorsreceive careful attention.23 marks There is some meaningfulassessment

of the piece and of its potentialefectiveness for an audience as apiece of live theatre. Candidatesinclude an attempt at evaluation of thedevelopment of the nominated skill interms of achieving the selected styleof theatre. Health and safety factorsreceive fairly perfunctory attention.1 mark There is an attempt at anassessmentof the piece and of its potentialefectiveness for an audience as a pieceof live theatre. Candidates include alittle evaluation of the development of

the nominated skill in terms of achievingthe selected style of theatre. Healthand safety factors receive insucientattention.