Realism

So, here I am, tasked with writing a realistic play, which begs the question, what is realism? What are the rules by which I must play in order to get a passing grade. While I am familiar with the notion of realism, we are, by no means, close friends. I've avoided writing in that style because I feel it represents, among other things, what is killing contemporary American Theatre. How can I bring myself, even in an exercise, to write something I perceive as so awful and, for lack of a better word, dangerous?