Jumanji Script

**play clip of the characters being sucked into the game***

Aqsa: OH NOO! ​How​ did we get here/? We got ​trapped​ in the game Jumanji!

Srihitha: ​How​​ do we get out?

Krish: I’m ​scared...

Mitchell: ...were our ​exact​​ reactions when we were in your place, exactly ​one​​ year ago.

Krish: When we ​also​​ found this video game in the ​basement​​ of UTSC and foolishly decided to
play it…

Aqsa: ..and got ​trapped​ ​/​ inside just like you guys!

Mitchell: But ​don’t​​ worry, since we have a ​little​​ bit of experience, we know how to help you
escape and return home.

Aqsa: The ​key​ to escaping the game is to ​return​ the stone of Jumanji to the statue and ​break
the curse!

Srihitha: Let’s break it down for them ​even​​ more.

Aqsa: You will ​each​ be put into teams, each team has ​one​ stone, and you ​must ​race against
each other to be the ​first​ to place it at the top of the statue.

Mitchell: You all ​must​​ learn how to deliver good news and correspondence ​and​​ use that
information to break the Jumanji curse!

K: That ​will​​ be your mantra ​during​​ this game.

A: Maybe we should repeat it ​one more time ​for them to remember!

All: Good news breaks the Jumanji curse! (in unison)

A: Again!

All: Good news breaks the Jumanji curse!

Mitchell: Wait, wait, wait! We ​almost​​ forgot, they don’t even know who we are. Allow us to
introduce ourselves. I am Dr. Smolder Bravestone!
K: ​I ​am Moose Finbar!

S: ​I​ am Professor Shelly Oberon!

A: And I am Ruby Roundhouse!

K: Now ​here’s​​ the fun part. / It ​seems​​ that the game has ​decided ​to divide you ​all​​ into three
teams. And in like ​any​​ video game, your team ​will​​ have weaknesses. Therefore, you are​ all ​a
part of a small team; and ​you​​ are Team A. Your weakness is instant messaging.
You’re​​ Team B. Your weakness is email. ​You’re ​team C, and your weakness is
correspondence.

A: It’s a​ race​ to the finish line/ and only ​1​ team can​ break​ the curse and escape/ while everyone
else is stuck here forever.

M: Together ​/ ​we are going to teach you ​how​​ to deliver good news ​and
improve on your weaknesses to escape the game.

(Mitchell leaves the scene to go write his letter)

S: I don’t ​think​​ you all want to be stuck here forever! So let’s get to it! And ​together​​ / we can
get some of you out of the game.

A: Wait a second,​ Dr. Bravestone ​what are you doing​ in that corner?

M: I’m writing a letter to my boss to tell him I’m ​not​​ going to be at work today.

S: You know there ​isn’t​​ any mailing service from the game to the outside world / right?

A: Lets see what you wrote… no offence but ​this is horrible​/ Your format / ​and​ punctuation are
kind of amateur.

K: Dr. Bravestone, you had the ​same​​ problem when we were stuck in the game a​ year​​ ago!
Looks like​ we​​ have to review letters in order to advance in the game.

S: Alright let’s start with letters then. Beginning with the top of the letter, is the company
letterhead ​and ​return address. The ​next​​ step after this is to add the date ​and​​ the inside
address. The date appear on the ​top​​ left-hand corner. ​Along ​with the date, the inside address
should ​also​​ be on the ​left side​​ of the letter ​before​​ the content starts.

K: The inside address ​includes​​ the reader's name, title, company, ​and ​full mailing address.
Once that is finished, the ​next​​ step is to do the attention line. / The ​purpose​​ of the attention line
is to direct the letter ​towards​​ a specific person. It can ​also ​be directed towards one appropriate
person ​while​​ addressing others that ​also​​ may deal with the topic. / In the given example above,
the attention line is for a supply chain coordinator, ​hence​​ the letter is directed for that person
and position.

A: The ​attention line​ tends to carry ​forward​ to the salutation, which is the next requirement.
Using a person's ​name / and courtesy title​ is often better than vaguely writing dear sir and
ma’am. By stating their ​name and title​, it will ​create​ / a connection with your reader. Now we are
ready to move onto the body of the letter. The ​body​​ of the letter includes detailed information
regarding the subject matter outlined in a ​clear / and​​ ​concise​​ manner. Once the body of the
letter is written / we move onto the enclosures which ​ends​​ the body of the letter. Enclosures are
also indicated with notations ​below​​ the initials / in case any documents are attached.

S:The complimentary close is followed up with a signature and signature block which is where
the name of the writer is located, along with their position and signature. Initials appear at the
bottom left corner. Alright Dr. Bravestone, do you think that will help you with writing better
letters in the future?

M: Sure does! And I will ​definitely​​ remember to format it ​professionally​​ and have ​good
punctuation ​/​ unlike last time.

S: Now that that is solved. We are going to help ​each​​ team with your weaknesses. But first let’s
remember our mantra.

Everyone: Good news breaks the Jumanji Curse.

A: Starting off with Team A. As mentioned before, your ​weakness​ is instant messaging. Don’t
worry, instant messaging is ​my​ strength so ​I will​ help you. Before we start ​you need​ to
understand that Instant Messaging ​and​ texting are ​extremely​ important means of
communicating in today's world. Texting is between a ​phone and phone​ device. And instant
messages are ​communicated​ from ​screen to screen​, hence a computer to computer.

K: Instant messaging allows people to ​effectively​​ share information ​and ​communicate quickly.
Say you are in a rush to get a second opinion on a task, instant messaging is​ perfect​​ to quickly
seek input while a team member is ​out​​ of the office.

M: However, it’s ​important​​ to understand that along with these benefits, instant messaging can
pose ​problems​​ as well. Due to people ​constantly​​ turning on their devices, it can be distracting
and addictive for th​e ​wrong​​ reasons.

K: To avoid ​this​​ problem, use instant messaging ​only ​when important, such as answering
work-related messages and keep small talk to a minimum. ​Also ​when texting, keep messages
short and use familiar abbreviations ​only.
A: It’s also important to remember that text messages ​do not ​replace face to face conversations,
so if ​it is not​ an appropriate message to send through text, do /not do it! It’s also good to ​not
keep your status on “busy”/ or “away” as it ​defeats​ the purpose of instant messaging.

S: Patience is also ​key​​ when expecting messages back. If you don’t get a reply right away, ​do
not ​send an email! Also, refrain from sending a message in a place where it is inappropriate to
take a call. For example: In a busy restaurant.

A: Also, if a coworker sends you a meeting invitation ​by email​, ​don’t​ use instant messaging to
change the time ​or​ place of the meeting. Last, try ​your best​ to respond to messages as fast as
you can. You ​don’t​ want to keep the opposite person waiting for too long! Now, let us take a
second to look back at what we just learned. (review slide).

K: Now let’s see ​who​​ leaves this place. / Only one group can go back to the real world, to their
normal, ​boring​​ lives back at UTSC. Each group must try to demonstrate their knowledge they
have ​just​​ learned. To do that, we will be posing a few true or false scenarios in which ​each
team will discuss briefly ​and​​ quickly, to come to a mutual answer. / Once decided on an
answer, ​tap​​ the table as ​fast​​ as you can to answer if the scenario is right or wrong. You
snooze​​, you ​lose​​!

S: The team that gets the ​most​​ answers right,/ will prove their ability of ​mastering​​ their
knowledge needed to win the game.

K: Most importantly, ​remember ​that good news breaks the jumanji curse!!!

S: Lets begin!

1. K: Ok the ​first​​ question: I need my coworker’s opinion on these charts I just made, he’s
not in the office right now, but my meeting is in 5 minutes, let me instant message him. Is
this right or wrong? -right
2. M- Letter heads in a business letter are not necessary. Right or wrong? - Wrong
3. K- It’s alright to send ​long​​ messages through instant messaging. Right or Wrong? -
wrong
4. M- The date on a letter should appear on the top right corner. Right or wrong? - Wrong
because it should appear on the top left corner
5. K- All messages are​ appropriate​​ to send through IM. Right or wrong? - Wrong

A: ​Congratulations​​ Team X you ​/​ are ​one​​ step closer to getting out of here! Alright, back to our
quest! Since we finished on the topic of instant messaging, let’s continue with emails which is
team B’s​ weakness. But no worries, we can work on making that a strength. I remember
learning from my communications midterm that there are​ two​ types of emails such as ​outgoing
and​ incoming​. Is that right?
S: You are right / the two types are outgoing ​and​​ incoming. Outgoing emails should be shorter,
concise and have a ​clear ​purpose to them. Incoming emails should be checked for regularly
and​​ should be given prompt responses to maintain professionalism.

A: ​Emails​ are an efficient use of time, ​and​ cost efficient due to the low waste of paper. Emails
are one of the ​most commonly​ used marketing mediums. Emails are also usually used as
official​​ records. ​Therefore​​, it’s useful to know how to write proper emails that deliver good
news.

M: Additionally, remember that even though emails are the ​most​​ common medium nowadays,
paper-based memos can ​also​​ be desirable. Professional memos have ​no​​ salutation,
complimentary close, or signatures ​unlike​​ professional emails. Even though memos aren’t used
as much, ​don’t​​ think they don't matter as they can convey ​important​​ information when emails
aren’t​​ an option. Therefore, memos do make a ​big​​ impact!

A: Great I think ​we’re​ covered for emails and memos now! So what's next?

K: Correspondence! Let’s go through some of the ​key ​guidelines for correspondence.

Team C listen up, this one’s for you. / Firstly, when ​sending​​ messages, it’s important to keep to
one​​ topic and keeping it brief. Rather than ​confusing​​ the receiver with multiple topics in each
message, it’s effective to send ​one​​ topic per message and making ​sure​​ that the message is
short and simple. / Making sure that the information is complete, is ​crucial ​and it can be
achieved by including​ all ​the information that is needed for it to fulfill its purpose.

S: In efforts of making the content brief,/ a ​common​​ mistake can be to leave vague details.
Complete information is ​not just​​ giving the facts / but stating ​why ​the information is meaningful
and​​ important. Remember that in the midst all of this, correspondence should always be
“​you-centered​​”.

K: What does that mean and how do​ we​​ do that?

S: Letters directed towards ​specific​​ people should be personalized and be focused on ​that
person. This can be achieved using pronouns such as “you” and “your” ​as well​​ as using their
name. Lastly, being optimistic and using positive phrases helps in maintaining a friendly
connection with them.

(example from textbook in slide)

S: In using correspondence the direct approach helps in getting to the point quickly. Also called
the top-down approach or the pyramid approach / this method helps in ​clearly ​and ​explicitly
stating the message.
A: The ​basic ​pattern for good news is easy to follow​ if​ you remember the “put it up front”
principle which is: Putting up the ​most important​ details first. Giving ​supporting​ details. ​Ending
with a goodwill statement

K: Wait a second, from ​my ​knowledge, in Japan speaking directly is seen as rude ​and
unfriendly.

M: Really? Because in Germany, speaking directly ​isn’t​​ considered rude at all.

A: From this we can see that in ​different countries​ directness is received differently. However in
North America, the direct approach is usually favoured and the best.

PLAY CLIP

K: As ​we​​ can see from the clip, Dr. Bravestone uses the direct approach when explaining​ my
role on the team. / He started off well by stating the facts upfront, but he ​failed​​ to give strong
supporting details and did ​not​​ end with a goodwill statement. ​Overall​​ Dr. bravestone did a​ poor
job on presenting information using the direct approach.

S: Now that we are clear on what to do when using the direct approach, we can move onto
routine requests. When using routine requests, it’s ​best​​ to keep requests explicit rather than
implied. Requests should ​also​​ contain ​enough​​ details so that the reader has no confusion. In
sending lengthy requests, it’s better to list questions rather than write a paragraph as it’s ​more
organized and clear.

M: ​For ​better​​ understanding, an example of an ​incorrect​​ routine request is:

I’m considering applying for a position at your company. ​Please​​ provide me with a list of job
responsibilities, work, habits and information about organizational abilities. Just looking at this
example on the screen you can see how ​wordy​​ and ​lengthy​​ it looks. As well as the ask of the
applicant seems to get ​lost​​ and hidden in the middle of this paragraph.

A: The correct way to format and write a routine request is:

Correct:
I’m considering for a position at ​your​ company. I have found out about your company recently
and have a few important clarifications. Followed by a short list of questions. As you can see
here, the message being more spaced out allows the reader’s eyes to take breaks, ​and ​focus
on one part at a time. Also the asks of the applicant ​aren’t​ hidden anymore, and are clearly
visibly stated

S: When replying to requests it’s ​best​​ to use the direct approach and avoid negativity. So be
careful with your tone when speaking to a customer, and don’t drive them away with negativity.
Using neutral tones helps in keeping people satisfied ​and​​ maintaining professionalism.
M: Alright now that we are finished with routine requests and replies let’s move onto claims.
When making claims it’s better to ​not​​ beat around the bush and maintain straight forwardness
about what you ​expect​​ the opposing party to do. For example, don’t exaggerate and get
sentimental, instead stick to the facts and it’s more likely your claim will be believed.

M: The direct approach is also used for routine ​and​​ good news replies. For example, if you ​ever
have to deliver bad news, it is ​possible​​ to be direct while giving it in a p
​ ositive​​ way.

K: ​Rather​​ than blaming the person, it works to ​solve​​ the problem in a polite and concise
manner. By understanding how to deliver bad news in a positive way, it can keep ​both​​ parties in
good relation ​and​​ satisfied at the same time. / Alright, now that we covered routine and good
news replies, our ​last​​ topic is letters of thanks and congratulations.

S: Letters of thanks and congratulations are ​extremel​​y important in strengthening business

relationships and personal ones. They do not have to be lengthy or wordy, / as ​long​​ as they are
clear and genuine.

A: Genuinity is ​key​ in these letters as you want to show others your appreciation for their help/
and​ let them know that what they have done for ​you​ has benefited you. This can be ​achieved​ by
giving ​details​ about what you are thankful for and state​ why​ they are deserving of your
appreciation.

S:Now lets’ do a final review of everything we just covered. (Review slide)

Pass around handouts (Review handouts) Srihitha

Conclusion:

S: Congratulations everybody, we have ​made it​​ to the statue of Jumanji. But the journey isn’t
over just yet, only ​1 team​​ can climb to the top of the statue and return the stone of Jumanji.
Which team is worthy to climb to the top, win, and escape the game?

K: Let’s test ​your​​ knowledge, which ever team gets the ​most​​ correct will win their escape from
the game. / Remember to ​tap ​the table as fast as you can to answer if the scenario is right or
wrong. If you snooze, you lose! Remember, ​good​​ news breaks the Jumanji curse.

Activity:
6. A- I just bought a new purse, i am ​very​​ dissatisfied with the product, let me email
customer service ​/​ tell them what is wrong ​politely​​ and what can be done to ​fix​​ the
problem. Right or wrong? -right
7. S- Emails are very ineffective in the workplace. Right or wrong? - wrong
 8. A- The direct approach of communication is accepted in ​every​ culture. Right or wrong. -
wrong.
9. S-I have a list of 10 things i need from my boss, let me send one big email to him with
everything in it. Right or wrong? -wrong
10. A-It’s better to send requests with enough ​detail​​ so that the receiver has ​no​​ confusion.
Right or wrong? - right
11. S-When making claims it’s better to make it emotional and personal so that the receiver
can connect better with the sender. Right or wrong? - Wrong. Instead you want to make
it direct and factual.
12. A- I have to ask my boss for a file in order for me to complete my task. Let me go to his
office, ​ask​ what he did over the weekend, ​ask​ him how his morning went, talk to him
about my day,​ then​ I’ll ask him for the file i need. Right or wrong? -wrong

M- Congratulations team X, you have ​successfully​​ beaten the game by demonstrating your
excellent​​ knowledge of good news and correspondence. You have ​broken​​ the curse on
Jumanji and returned the stone ​successfully​​ by learning good news and correspondence.

K: ​Unfortunately ​to the rest of the teams, you will be ​stuck​​ in this game forever with no
escape. Team X when you return to the real world, be ​sure ​to use the knowledge you have
learned in this game in the workplace. / As a little souvenir for our winners to remember their
time in Jumanji we give to you a​ small​​ edible replica of the Jumanji stone.

Hand out ring pop during monologue only to winning team.

A: Over the course of this journey / we as a group ​overcame​ our ​weaknesses​ and learned to
deliver good news in different ways. Although the ​voice​ is a powerful way of communicating, it is
not​ the only means of presenting ideas and information. If this amazing adventure has taught
you ​anything​ let it be this. Letters / memos/ emails/ and instant messages are ​extremely
effective ways of communication if you execute them properly. Hopefully our help has taught
you ways to successfully deliver good news. Now let us shake your hands to send you back into
the real world

*Mitchell shakes hands of the people in the front row only*

*play ending video*