Writing About the Text as a Playscript

The most effective way to address Assessment Objective 2 (AO2) (commenting upon form, structure and language) is to consider the text as a play, a text intended to be performed in theatres.

Innovative dramatic techniques

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is famed for its innovative use of dramatic techniques which are intended to create an immersive experience for audiences.
Lighting, music, video projections, sound effects, dance and other devices are all used to create a theatrical experience that tries to create a world as seen from the viewpoint of a teenager with Asperger Syndrome.

Example -

The most recent National Theatre production warned its audience that the production contained “strobe lighting, smoke effects, high-intensity video and light effects and loud sound effects” which may not be suitable for all audience members.

Use the stage directions

When writing about the text, try to refer to these dramatic elements of the play wherever relevant.
Stephens’ stage directions describe how some of these dramatic devices are used in the play.
His stage directions are a particularly useful starting point for helping you comment upon the writer’s methods.

1Introduction & Context

1.1Novel & Play

1.1.1Mark Haddon's Novel (2003)

1.1.2Simon Stephens' Adaptions (2012)

1.2Christopher's Autism

1.2.1Christopher's Autism

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Introduction & Context

2Form, Structure & Language

2.1Dramatic Devices

2.1.1Writing About the Text as a Playscript

2.1.2Dramatic Devices

2.2Genre & Structure

2.2.1Genre

2.2.2Structure

2.3Language

2.3.1Language

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Form, Structure & Language

3Text Summary & Analysis

3.1Part One

3.1.1Discovering the Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism

3.1.2The Policeman & Siobhan

3.1.3The Police Station & Ed's Entry

3.1.4Mother's Death & Beginning the Investigation

3.1.5Ed's Frustrations & Revisiting Mrs Alexander

3.1.6Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene

3.1.7Judy's Letters

3.1.8Ed's Confession

3.1.9End of Topic Test - Part One

3.1.10End of Topic Test - Part One 2

3.2Part Two

3.2.1Preparing to Run Away & Train Station

3.2.2On the Train & Arriving in London

3.2.3On the Tube & Arriving at Judy's House

3.2.4Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions

3.2.5Back in Swindon & New Beginnings

3.2.6The End & Maths Appendix

3.2.7End of Topic Test - Part Two

3.2.8End of Topic Test - Part Two cont....

4Themes

4.1Themes

4.1.1Independence

4.1.2Parenting

4.1.3Order & Disorder

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Themes

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