2. The Do’s And Don’ts Of Creative Writing What you SHOULD do: –Have a setting. (ex: at Joe’s house) –Include plot twists –Keep it short. ( Try to keep it to one event)- too much going on complicates things! –Put your character’s dialogue. in quotes! ( ex: “ Ok”, said Mary.)

3. Do’s And Don’ts Of Creative Writing (Continued)… What you should NOT do: Don’t use unnecessary wording. ( It could take away from your story and does not need to be there!) “Show” the reader; don’t simply “tell” them. Do not have too many characters. ( Too many will complicate the plot and confuse the reader.) Don’t use repetitive sentence structure. ( Using only one type will bore your reader!) Some tips for beginners

4. The 13 Points Of Plot 1.) The Point of Attack- The point where the reader enters the story. It can be early or late depending on the time span of the story. ( Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is early because the story takes place over an entire year.) 2.) Old World Order- The world as it exists at the beginning of the story. ( Harry is living with the Dursleys and is absolutely miserable.) 3.) Exposition- The information or events the reader learns about that don’t actually occur in the story. (Voldemort had killed Harry’s parents.) 4.) Foreshadowing- The words or events that hint at things to come. (Harry, having survived Voldemort implies that he is special and will play an important role in Voldemort’s downfall.)

5. 13 Points of Plot (Continued)… 5.) Inciting Incident- The initial event that causes the protagonist to pursue their goal. ( The first letter from Hogwart’s School arrives.) 6.) Complications- Situations that arise and could potentially keep the protagonist from achieving their goal. ( The Dursleys destroy Harry’s Letters.) 7.) Conflict- The strife endured by the main character. It can be either external or internal. ( The fight Harry has with Draco, or the doubts he has about his future.) 8.) Crisis- The moment of highest emotion and action in a story. The time before the “last straw” is pulled. ( Harry realizes who has been helping Voldemort along.)

6. 13 Points of Plot (Continued)… 9.) Climax- The moment of highest action and emotion in a story. The “last straw”. (Voldemort’s confrontation of Harry.) 10.) Denouement- The falling action. It encompasses all of the events that take place after the climax. ( What happens after the confrontation.) 11.) New World Order- The world as it exists at the end of the story. (Harry still lives with the Dursleys, but also attends Hogwart’s during the school year and has discovered his heritage.) 12.) Reversal- A change of fortune. (Harry begins as a deprived orphan in the Dursley home, but ends up a hero at Hogwart’s.)

7. 13 Points of Plot (Continued)… 13.) Discovery- The moment of self realization. ( Harry discovers he is a powerful wizard destined to defeat Voldemort.)

8. Starter Ideas Here are some websites to get you started on your mission of writing the perfect short story: Tips for writing a short story: www.write101.com/shortstory.html Short story and poem writers’ website: www.writing.com Writing Help: http://writingcorner.com/young/shortstory-1 To see the first part of this presentation, Click HereClick Here Back to the top