Student ID: 17105358
Approaches to Drama
Reflective Account
Task Summary:
Developing oral presentation skills are key and essential aspect to us as humanities
students at university level. Therefore, we were assigned in groups to plan a thirtyminute student-led seminar activity based on a play we had during the term time. In
my group, we were assigned to deliver a student-led seminar on The Octoroon by
Dion Boucicault, and explain how it is related to its historical context, an example of
the Victorian Melodrama. Throughout this written journal, I would include the
process on how myself and the four other members of the group had structured this
piece of work and the experience I have personally attained from working on this
assignment.
We started to work on the assignment straight after we conceptualized the
requirements and needs to complete it. We had discussed with our tutor how could
we get the most important materials from the play and the proper methods of
information delivery, based on the task requirements. It was relayed to us that this
seminar had to be activity based focusing more on engaging the students and less
information delivery. For that reason, we constructed our seminar activities on two
forms of discussions, group discussion and two teams debate (See Appendix 1). The
primary focus of generating discussion points is to make the students more hooked
and use to these types of scenarios in the classrooms during their learning journey at
the university. Consequently, the students were able to identify and explore the
pivotal themes of the play such as: love, culture, politics, gender, and even race.
Before the work was presented, we arranged several meetings, as well as contacting
via e-mail to discuss our progression to organize and plan the task’s roles between
the group’s members. All of the team members did their own research at first before
merging the ideas into one power point. Everything went smooth and according to
the plan, apart from the power point slides, which we couldn’t manage to load them
on to the screen on the day of the seminar.
Student ID: 17105358
Evaluation and Analysis:
I believe that because our group consisted of 5 students, which is more than any
other groups in the seminar had a positive impact on our performance and was one
of the most important factors that aided our process of working on our seminar
materials. Each one of us had a different role, for me personally, I focused more on
the introduction of the play along with a brief summary of Dion Boucicault (See
Appendix 2).
The general research we did focused on the interpretation of melodrama and the
different categories that comes under this form of writings. I found that many of the
literary texts that I read previously were hard or difficult to understand and absorb,
until I started to set my focus on how to approach any dramatic play or text by
understanding the different genres and to which category the play belongs to. By
doing this, I become more capable of analyzing and viewing the text from different
angles, as well as how to perceive the content by looking closely to it’s deeper
meanings.
Working in a group, commitment, and punctuality where my highlights while
working on this seminar presentation. I became more aware of my strengths and
how I can strengthen them further for better results. In the past, I get easily nervous
when speaking publicly or in front of the class, but all the nervousness and fear
vanished when I had to face it. Presentations where a nightmare to me and can be
horrifying before working on this assignment. On the other hand, I noticed that
being fully prepared and become more engaged with the other students are
essential during the course work, especially when it comes to talking with
confidence. In contrast, I had recognized some of my weaknesses too. I see myself
sometimes as indecisive person, which can lead to serious consequences such as
being easily distracted. However, after working with the group for the seminar and
become more in control of my own ideas, I started to notice improvements in my
communication skills, which I’m looking forward to develop through my education
process.
Our group faced some minor complications throughout the process of the seminar
delivery. A few of us haven’t entirely understood the key issues raised in the play,
which affected our progression. Therefore, we had to re-read the text until we can
identify its most important contents. With the help of the tutor’s and other students’
comments, we finally had an in-depth knowledge of the play and became ready to
present the work. The accompanied power point didn’t load on the day of the
seminar because of a technical problem in the room we where in, thereafter we had
to continue without it. Regardless of all the obstacles, we enjoyed the feedback from
our fellow students; they were absolutely encouraging.
Student ID: 17105358
Conclusion: Outcomes and Planning for the future:
In conclusion, I think that we reached our main goal by rendering a well-organized
student-led seminar that includes purposeful discussions and covering most of the
significant aspects of the play. The work was enjoyable and fun, despite the
problems we faced. I’m delighted with my contribution and the expectations I had
met. The skills that I had gained are crucial, and I’m looking forward to improve and
develop them. I believe the experience made me more confident in oral
assessments, planning and researching, not to mention the process of information
delivery. Next time I would focus more on the research stage before presenting, by
maintaining the emphasis on re-reading the materials I shall use. I would also try to
check the room where the presentation will take place beforehand to avoid any kind
of problems. Personally, I feel that this type of seminar activity helped me to explore
more about the essence of university studies and the important skills that I need to
be successful through my learning journey.
Student ID: 17105358
Appendices:
Appendix 1
Group Discussion
´In what ways does The Octoroon
go against the typical concepts of
a melodrama.
Debate 1
´Do you think the play works better
with the American ending or the
British ending?
Debate 2
´Do you think the play is Antislavery or not?
Student ID: 17105358
Appendix 2
Dion Boucicault
´ Born in Dublin.
´ Mother was Anne Darley, the sister of the poet/mathematician George Darley.
´ At the age of 13, Dion was enrolled at University College School (otherwise known
as UCS Hampstead) and went on to study at the University of London for a year.
´ He left London to pursue acting, using the stage name Lee Morton, after which he
began to write his own plays.
´ His first play, A Legend of the Devil’s Dyke, was performed in Brighton in 1838, with
his second play, London Assurance, being performed three years later at Covent
Garden.
´ After this he rapidly produced a number of different plays across a few years.
´ From 1854-1860 Dion lived in America, with his current wife and actress Agnes
Robertson.
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