1. Today’s goal: Identify and use inciting incidents in writing. You’ll need: Your journal and a pen or pencil (as always!)

2. Unit Standards: RL.10—Read and comprehend literature, including stories… W.3—Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. L.6—Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing…; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.

3. VIDEO – Nick Goepper’s story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZDVVCBs5OE#aid=P-mVKcuAYMc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBoKYF0wYW8

4. What is an inciting incident? Incite means “to move to action; stir up; spur on; urge on” - Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online An inciting incident is an event that forces a decision, action, or change happens early in the story “throws” the character into the story gets the audience interested. “Oh no! What will happen?”

5. Work in groups of 1-4 people 1.Get one copy of the worksheet for your whole group. 2.Identify a book or movie that you’ve all seen. 3.Complete a quick SWBS chart for the book or movie. 4.Work together to identify the story’s inciting event. To find it, ask yourself, “What happened to ‘throw’ the character into the story?” 5.Each group member should come up with a possible inciting event for the short story they are writing. Ask yourself, “What could happen at the very beginning of my story that could force my character to confront their desire/need?” 6.Write your name and possible inciting event on the post-it note.

6. Inciting incidents can happen to us: Moving Divorce Death We can create them in our lives… Join a club or sport Tell someone about a decision you’ve made Go to college Get a job Others?

7. How well do you understand what an “inciting incident” is and how it is used in telling a story?