Phrasing Objectives Objectives Should Be: Directed toward another character rather than oneself or the audience. Directed toward the inner life of the character.

Phrasing Objectives Objectives Should Be: Connected to the main idea of the play. Phrased in the infinitive verb form, as simply as possible, and from the viewpoint of the character.

Phrasing Objectives Eliminate Nouns I want a motorboat. I want to earn enough money for a motorboat.

Phrasing Objectives Eliminate Nouns I want a wife. I want to win Tara’s heart.

Phrasing Objectives Eliminate Adjectives & “I am” phrases: I am angry with her. I want to destroy her.

Phrasing Objectives Eliminate Adjectives & “I am” phrases: I am arrogant. I want to belittle him.

Phrasing Objectives Avoid “to be” Phrases I want to be his friend. I want to convince George to take me with him.

Phrasing Objectives Avoid “to be” Phrases I want to be alone. I want to badger Amy into leaving the room.

Phrasing Objectives Use Active/Dynamic Verbs Avoid intellectual verbs like cogitate or reciprocate. Avoid behavioral verbs like sleep, laugh, sneeze, cry, wait, or stand.

Phrasing Objectives Use Active/Dynamic Verbs Avoid existential verbs like to exist, to become, to live. Avoid trigger verbs, i.e., verbs that depict action that occurs very quickly--shoot, slap, kick, or touch.

Phrasing Objectives Actable Verbs I want to convince. I want to mock. I want to reassure. I want to incite.

Phrasing Objectives An Active/Dynamic Verb A Receiver A Desired Response I want to win Tara’s admiration. I want to reduce my lover to tears. I want to persuade Ann to kiss me.