Teaching Note: Prequels and Sequels—A Creative Assignment That Extends Students' Reading of Arthur Miller's Drama

Abstract

Recognizing the benefits of creativity and creative thinking in standard college composition and literature courses, the author has designed assignments that provide students with opportunities to approach reading, writing, and analysis through a variety of creative techniques. One such assignment that has effected the most substantive benefits has been one requiring students to write a prequel or sequel to one of four Miller plays that they read in an introduction to literature course. Student interest is piqued, anxiety is lessened, and the results reveal an understanding of the literary elements of the plays, as well as an increased appreciation of the original plays and their creator. To date, of the four Miller plays studied, students have written more often for All My Sons, and have tended to write more sequels than prequels. The author invites those who use this assignment to share the results as she continues to develop such assignments.