When we think about school reading, novels and essays often dominate the conversation. Yet, scripts—plays, film screenplays, even radio dramas—are an often overlooked treasure. Reading scripts in school is not just about diversifying texts; it’s about unlocking a new way of thinking, learning, and connecting with literature.
Reading scripts in school is not just about diversifying texts; it’s about unlocking a new way of thinking, learning, and connecting with literature.
1. Scripts sharpen reading and performance skills.
Scripts are written to be spoken aloud. The dialogue, stage directions, and pacing encourage students to focus on tone, rhythm, and expression. By reading them, students don’t just absorb words on a page—they imagine voices, movements, and emotions. This brings literature to life, strengthening both reading comprehension and oral communication.
2. They make collaboration natural.
Unlike solitary reading, scripts are meant to be shared. Whether it’s taking turns reading lines in class or acting out short scenes, students quickly discover the value of teamwork. This creates opportunities for shy students to participate in smaller, manageable ways, while confident speakers can take on larger roles. The classroom becomes a stage where everyone contributes.
3. Scripts deepen understanding of structure and storytelling.
Novels often weave together description, narration, and dialogue, but scripts strip stories down to essentials: dialogue and action. This clarity helps students see how stories are built—how conflict, character, and theme emerge through what people say and do. For young writers, scripts become blueprints for storytelling, making structure visible and easier to learn from.
4. They connect literature to real life.
When students read a play like Romeo and Juliet or a screenplay like The Pursuit of Happyness, they are exposed to issues of family, love, ambition, and resilience in a format that feels immediate and alive. These texts often mirror the language of everyday conversations, helping students see the relevance of literature in their own lives.
For young writers, scripts become blueprints for storytelling, making structure visible and easier to learn from.
5. They foster creativity and imagination.
Unlike novels, scripts often leave gaps—stage directions are brief, settings are sketched lightly, emotions are suggested rather than explained. This invites students to fill in the blanks, imagining how a character might look, sound, or move. It pushes them to think like directors and actors, not just readers.
Reading scripts in school opens doors that other texts cannot. They train students to listen closely, collaborate with peers, and engage with literature in ways that are active and creative. If schools want students not only to read but to experience literature, scripts should take centre stage.