Context

The Portuguese language, like other Romance languages, has in its grammar the so-called "verb moods." There are three: indicative, subjunctive, and imperative. Each of them is used to express a specific situation and to compose the structure of sentences and texts. In this project, we will focus on the indicative mood, which is probably the one we use the most in our daily lives.

The indicative mood is used to express real, certain, or true facts. When we say "I study Portuguese," for example, we are using the verb "study" in the present indicative to communicate a fact that is happening in the present. Similarly, we can use the indicative to talk about the past or the future, with sentences like "I studied Portuguese" (past perfect indicative) and "I will study Portuguese" (future indicative).

Now, let's see a bit about the importance of the indicative mood in communication and in our daily lives.

Importance

Knowing how to correctly use the indicative mood is essential for effective communication in Portuguese. It allows us to express facts, tell stories, inform about events, give explanations, make promises, and much more. Furthermore, the proper use of the indicative mood contributes to the correct understanding of what we want to express, avoiding misunderstandings and confusion.

In professional contexts, mastering the indicative mood is an essential skill. Whether in writing a report, sending an email, preparing a presentation, or drafting a report, the correct use of the indicative makes all the difference. Additionally, this skill is also important for studies, as it is highly demanded in exams and school assignments.

We recommend the following sources to delve deeper into the study of the indicative mood:

• Portal da Língua Portuguesa
• Gramática Prática da Língua Portuguesa
• Ciberdúvidas da Língua Portuguesa

With this information in mind, let's now move on to our practical project!

Practical Activity - "Indicating Paths with the Indicative Mood"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to consolidate the understanding of the indicative mood and its effective application in written and spoken communication. Students will work in groups of 3 to 5 people to read, analyze, create, and present a play that involves the use of the indicative mood.

Detailed Project Description

The play will be created by the students and should involve characters who use the indicative mood to express certainties, make revelations, narrate past events, and predict future events. This play should also include scenarios where the use of the indicative would be essential.

The play will be presented to the class, and for that, students must rehearse, memorize lines, and organize the scenarios. Additionally, they must produce a written script, including all lines, scene descriptions, and relevant acting notes.

In addition to the Portuguese discipline, the project will involve the Arts discipline in the creation of costumes and scenarios.

Required Materials

• Notebooks and pens for notes and script development
• Internet access for research
• Various materials for creating scenarios and costumes (fabrics, papers, paints, etc.)

Step-by-Step for Activity Completion

1. Divide into groups of 3 to 5 people.
2. Choose a theme for the play.
3. Develop a written script for the play, focusing on the use of the indicative mood.
4. Analyze and adjust the script, ensuring that you are using the indicative mood correctly.
5. Start rehearsals for the play.
6. Create scenarios and costumes for the play, involving the Arts discipline.
7. Continue rehearsals until you feel ready for the presentation.
8. Present the play to the class.
9. Produce a report on the project, detailing the process, the theory of the indicative mood, and what you learned from the experience.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, students must deliver:

1. The written script of the play, demonstrating the application of the Indicative Mood. The script should contain explanatory notes about the choices of verb tenses used (present, past, future), emphasizing verbs in the indicative mood, and the reasons for these choices.
2. Play Presentation: Students must present the created play, showing the practical use of the indicative mood.
3. Final Report: Students must write a document in the form of a report containing Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography. This report should bridge the gap between the theory learned and the practice carried out in the project, detailing the process, the usefulness of the Indicative Mood, and the lessons learned from the experience.