Higher Writing Folio: Creative Writing 1

The Big Picture During this unit, I will: Become familiar with the necessary features of a short story. setting atmosphere characterisationplotlanguage.Focus on setting, atmosphere, characterisation, plot and language. Write a creative essay in a group. Write a creative essay for my writing folio

Learning Outcomes I can: Discuss and create the structure, characterisation and setting for a short story. Introduce the main theme of the text and recognise the relevance this has to my own and others’ experiences Be aware of aspects of the writer’s style and other features appropriate to genre and use relevant language to create a short story of value.

We will work together to produce an example of a short story creating the setting, character and plot. Decide on and carefully interweave a theme for our text. Be aware of genre. Consider narrative stance. Evoke atmosphere through careful use of language. Use dialogue to suggest personality Success Criteria

The short story, said the sharp observer Truman Capote, is “the most difficult and disciplining form of prose writing”. It is easy to write; hard to write well. What is a Short Story?

What distinguishes a short story from any other prose work is that it concerns itself with ONE idea. All that makes up the short story is used to convey that idea. The main characteristic of the short story is its economy. What is a Short Story?

Nothing is wasted. Nothing is extra. Everything counts. Everything is cut down to the bare essentials. And so, everything is focused very sharply on what the author wants to say, to illustrate or depict. What is a Short Story?

The author’s focus on this main idea is channelled through his……  Language.  Setting.  Characterisation.  Atmosphere. What is a Short Story?

a small number of characters a limited number of settings, perhaps, only one a single, main incident one (main) theme limited use of dialogue Basic Features of a Short Story?

Typical parts of the plot are: Exposition: 1) Set the scene – describe your character in a place, doing something (looking out of the window, walking, day-dreaming, working etc.) 2) Develop your character (appearance, actions, what they say, how they say it, inner thoughts etc. and Introduce a theme (love, anger, conflict, war, jealousy, relationships etc.)

Rising Action: 3) Your character encounters a problem. This should not be a very complicated problem. It may involve a second character. It is important to convey how the character thinks and feels about it and how they deal with the problem. Climax/Turning Point: 4) Turning point/Climax/Twist. The character should show another surprising side to themselves or act in a surprising way. There may be a surprising revelation or twist.

Resolution: 5) You can either resolve the problem or end with a cliff-hanger. If ending in a cliff hanger this should not simply be an abrupt end which might suggest you can’t think what to write next! Never end with ‘then he/she woke up...it had all been a dream’.

PLOT BEGINNING - describing setting, character and the first event of the plot MIDDLE - the plot continues with different events (turning points) happening END - finally, the last events of the plot will provide a resolution

Turning Points A turning point is a change of direction in the plot. It can be a change of heart by a character, a confrontation or an entry into the story of an event or a character. The plot will change because of this turning point. PLOT

The Final Turning Point The conclusion, or final turning point is when the plot is resolved. It may be a final twist or an event that leads to a happy ending, but it marks the resolution of the plot. PLOT

The Denouement The Denouement is how things are left. It is the final scene. If the final turning point is the wedding then the denouement might be the wedding party: it is where everything is resolved. → some short stories end with a cliff- hanger in which case there is no resolution and denouement PLOT

End → Beginning → Middle You start at the end and then use flashback to tell the story from the beginning PLOT

End(1) →Beginning → Middle → End(2) You start near the end, use flashback to tell the story from the beginning up to from where you started and then continue until the resolution/denouement. PLOT

Middle → Beginning → End You start in the middle, use flashback to tell about the beginning, then move to the end. This is often done. PLOT

Beginning↔End (1) → Beginning↔End (2) → Middle↔End (3) Middle↔End (4) Flashbacks are used to show endings the characters have not yet reached → turning points can be used in all areas of the story to change the direction of the plot PLOT

A good story has a solid structure. You may take a very creative approach to structure or you may keep it simple. If your approach to structure is confusing and loses your reader then there would seem to be little point in structuring it that way. Ultimately, a creative structure can enhance admiration for your storytelling abilities but you still need the writing, the language and feeling that creates a well written story. PLOT

The plot is what happens in a story and what the characters do. There are said to be only a few basic plots in all literature and films.

Plot Line 1 Boy meets girl A character falls in love with someone who may or may not return these feelings. Obstacles to happiness may or may not be overcome. Examples: Romeo and Juliette; West Side Story; Silver G Mackay Brown.

The Quest A journey in search of treasure or happiness, or to discover the truth. Examples: The Third Man; Lord of the Rings; the film The Raiders of the Lost Ark. Plot Line 2

Entry into a new world. Chance brings a character into a new world in which challenges and dangers must be overcome. Examples: Robinson Crusoe; The Beach; Lord of the Flies Plot Line 3

Rags to riches (or the ugly duckling). An ordinary or downtrodden person wins recognition or wealth. Examples: Cinderella; Oliver Twist; Great Expectations; My Fair Lady (film); Wanted (short story) Plot Line 4

Spider and Fly. An innocent person is lured into a trap. Examples: The Landlady (Roald Dahl); Felicia’s Journey (William Trevor) Plot Line 5

Nemesis. A mistake or bad deed has consequences; foolishness is exposed and punished. Examples: Emma (Jane Austen); The Mayor of Casterbridge (Thomas Hardy); Crime and Punishment (Fyador Dostoevsky Plot Line 6

Overcoming the monster. A hero or heroine confronts a monster, and defeats it against the odds. The monster might be metaphorical, such as a bully. A variant is David and Goliath where the victor is much smaller. Examples: Frankenstein; Dracula; (the film) Jaws. Plot Line 7

Tit for tat. A character achieves a fitting revenge. Examples: The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexander Dumas) Plot Line 8

Main Point (Theme) A short story should have a clear theme: an underlying idea that is developed through the plot. Your story will be more effective if it is something you feel strongly about.

Some common themes are: Love Money Jealousy Corruption Adolescence Social change The generation gap Main Point (Theme) (Tip: emotions and feelings can also provide themes for a short story)