Thanks, Coach!

Question

Clark Benson

1Josh helped one of the last guests to arrive to their seat at the banquet. He had taken the lead in organizing the whole event in honor of Coach Wilkins. Josh and the other players on the basketball team wanted to recognize Coach Wilkins for both his athletic achievements and his teaching accomplishments.

2Besides being Josh’s coach, Coach Wilkins was also his English teacher. Josh thought Coach Wilkins was a great teacher and basketball coach. In class, Coach Wilkins always used different techniques to make class interesting. For instance, Coach once told students to relate the books they read in class to their own lives. Thanks to Coach Wilkins, Josh was enthusiastic about reading; Josh’s shelves at home were filled with books.

3Coach supported each player and always had advice to give on the basketball court. Although Coach sometimes had to correct a player’s moves, he was never negative or belittling—Coach made everyone feel at ease.

The students and other teachers tried to make the school auditorium look as good as possible for the event. The cafeteria workers made the food for the occasion, and a large group of students worked to help make the banquet even more special.

5Josh and the other basketball players, who had just won the state championships, presented Coach with a special plaque. Josh admired the way the gold writing glistened under the lights. As nice as the plaque was, Josh was more eager to present Coach with a special card he had made. Each team member had written a personal message to their coach. Josh felt the card would be more meaningful to Coach because it was coming from his team and was filled with their own words.

6Principal Edwards agreed to be the head speaker and to introduce Coach Wilkins. The principal gave a very good speech about how Coach Wilkins had sacrificed his own free time to give more time to the school. He mentioned the sensational after-school tutoring program Coach Wilkins had started to help struggling students.

Finally, the big moment came and the principal introduced Coach Wilkins. The guests stood to show their appreciation for the teacher. They applauded as Coach Wilkins went to stage. He smiled and waved back to show how honored he was. Coach gave his thanks and spoke of the things which inspired him to be a teacher and coach. As he listened, Josh thought of what he had written on the card. There weren’t enough words to truly show how much Coach Wilkins had meant to him as both a teacher and coach. And so on the card, Josh had simply written,

“Thanks coach!” - Josh
Question
If the author wanted to rewrite this story as a play with dramatic irony, what change would be MOST effective?
Responses
A Coach Wilkins would prepare a speech and share his feelings about retirement.Coach Wilkins would prepare a speech and share his feelings about retirement.
B The chorus would sing the school's fight song at the beginning and at the end of the banquet.The chorus would sing the school's fight song at the beginning and at the end of the banquet.
C A fight would break out among the basketball players and Coach Wilkins would have to break it up.A fight would break out among the basketball players and Coach Wilkins would have to break it up.
D Josh would plan the event to honor Coach Wilkins as a surprise party during a scheduled team practice.Josh would plan the event to honor Coach Wilkins as a surprise party during a scheduled team practice.

Answer 1

The most effective change to introduce dramatic irony in the story rewritten as a play would be D: Josh would plan the event to honor Coach Wilkins as a surprise party during a scheduled team practice.

This change creates dramatic irony because the audience would know that Coach Wilkins is unaware of the surprise and the effort that goes into the event planned by Josh and the team. The tension would build as the audience anticipates Coach's reaction when he finds out, especially considering how much he has meant to them. The contrast between the team's intentions and Coach Wilkins' potential surprise or emotions once he realizes the honor being bestowed upon him adds depth and engagement to the narrative.