Creative Writing

Learning Intention The purpose of this lesson is to learn the structure of a story Success Criteria To be able to list the parts of a story and define a key aspect of that particular part.

Elements of a story Character Plot Setting Themes/motifs

Plot An effective plot should follow a particular storyline pattern. Climax Falling Action Critical Choice Rising Action Resolution Complication Beginning

Beginning Establish the setting and the protagonist Think of Cinderella sweeping the ashes, Jack (of Beanstalk fame) living in poverty with his mum and a cow, or Harry Potter living with the Dursley’s. “The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas” The montage, soldiers taking the Jewish people to the gallows The family’s going away party.

Complication Something beyond the control of the protagonist (hero/heroine) is the trigger which sparks off the story. A fairy godmother appears, someone pays in magic beans not gold, a mysterious letter arrives … you get the picture. The family move to their new home.

Rising Action This stage involves not one but several elements, and takes up most of the middle part of the story. Rising Action includes pleasant events, but more often means obstacles, complications, conflict and trouble for the protagonist. May include a surprise; need to be unexpected, but plausible. Bruno is bored Gretle’s education and change The beating of Pavil Bruno meets Shmuel

Critical Choice At some stage, your protagonist needs to make a crucial decision; a critical choice. This is often when we find out exactly who a character is, as real personalities are revealed at moments of high stress. This has to be a decision by the character to take a particular path – not just something that happens by chance. Bruno denies giving the food to Shmeul in the house out of fear. Their friendship is challenged

Climax The critical choice(s) made by your protagonist need to result in the climax, the highest peak of tension, in your story. For some stories, this could be the firing squad levelling their guns to shoot, a battle commencing, a high-speed chase or something equally dramatic. In other stories, the climax could be a huge argument between a husband and wife, or Cinderella and the Ugly Sisters trying on the glass slipper. Bruno decides to help Schmol find his father and enters the Concentration camp

Falling Action This should be the consequence of the critical choice and the climax, and it should change the status of the characters – especially your protagonist. Cinderella might be recognised by the prince. The family discover the boy has entered the concentration camp Bruno dies

Resolution The resolution is a return to a fresh beginning– one where the characters should be changed, wiser and enlightened, but where the story being told is complete. Or you might leave your story with a question or mystery. This will help to portray the overall message or theme of the story. There is no resolution in the film. What is the purpose of no resolution?

Activity: Using the storyline pattern below demonstrate

Activity Using the storyline pattern – show the storyline for The Three bears What happens in each section? Climax Falling Action Critical Choice Rising Action Resolution Complication Beginning

Descriptive writing Learning Intention The purpose of this lesson is to learn how to show the setting in a story. Success Criteria Use adjectives and the five senses to describe a setting.

Setting Setting is important because it can create a mood to your story. The setting will enhance your story so it is important to choose wisely and think about your setting. It is also important to describe your setting

Ideas for setting What are some ideas for setting?

Describing a setting When describing your setting it is important to “show and not tell” It was hot Χ (boring – this is telling) The sun burned down on the valley, the brown grass cowered under it’s heat. or Beads of sweat trickled down my neck and the concrete burned my feet as I walked towards the store. √ (More interesting – this is showing) Tips: Use the five senses: SIGHT, SMELL, TOUCH, SOUND, TASTE. Use adjectives and adverbs Use similes and metaphors Use characters to portray the setting. Be creative!

EXAMPLE

Sample: Spot the senses! A dark cloud loomed over them, a welcome relief from the blazing sun. The horizon was a sea of white and blue tarpaulins, barely standing with spines of rotting wood. People with no faces stood helpless and hungry. Some finding solace from the heat under their tents others too tired to move. The women clung to her crying child, the red dirt burned her blistered feet but she dare not sit. Dust and sweat filled her nostrils and her mouth. She couldn’t remember the smell of anything else. She looked down at the empty water bottles and sorrow filled her heart. This was their home now.

Smell – Sight – Taste – Touch -

Brainstorm : Describe the class room. What are some phrases or words we can use to describe this classroom.

You Try Choose two of the following images to describe. You will need to imagine some of the senses. What do you think you would feel, hear, taste or smell?

YOU TRY

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