This paper presents a defense for the use of historical scripted conversations in science. We discuss drama's use of both expository and narrative text forms to expand the language forms available for a variety of learners, the use of scripted conversations as a defensible curriculum design to foster learning in general and science in particular, and the expansion of literate practices to include dramatic arts. Throughout our discussion, we refer to Author 2 and Teichmann's scripted conversation "Lord Kelvin and the Age of the Earth Debate" (2003).