Writing Narratives. Program Support Notes by: Lisa Herd BA BTeach Hons. Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd Produced by: VEA Pty Ltd

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1 Program Support Notes by: Lisa Herd BA BTeach Hons Produced by: VEA Pty Ltd Commissioning Editor: Sandra Frerichs B.Ed, M.Ed. Executive Producer: Simon Garner B.Ed, Dip Management You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act To order or inquire please contact VEA: VEA (Video Education America) 6902 Hawthorn Park Drive Indianapolis, IN Phone: Fax: Website

2 For Teachers Introduction This educational and engaging program introduces the viewer to the key components of narrative writing. It shows how to write interesting stories and highlights key narrative writing concepts and techniques. also enhances learning by introducing critical literacy terminology. Some particularly useful aspects of this program are the practical examples and activities which assist budding writers with getting started with their story writing. This informative program assists with developing the skills necessary for writing narratives. Timeline 00:00:00 Character development 00:03:47 Hook the reader 00:05:52 Establishing tone and mood 00:07:58 Writing realistic dialogue 00:10:33 Developing a good plot 00:13:10 Building tension 00:15:24 The successful ending 00:17:32 Credits 00:17:57 End program Related Titles Elements of Narratives Understanding Plagiarism and its Consequences Punctuation Explained - Capitals, Commas, Full Stops, Question and Exclamation Marks Punctuation Explained - Colons, Semicolons, Brackets, Dots and Dashes Punctuation Explained - Apostrophes and Quotation Marks Recommended Resources

3 Student Worksheet Initiate Prior Learning 1. Think of one of your favorite novels or movies. Answer the following questions about this story: a) The protagonist what made him/her appealing? b) The opening how did it hook the reader/viewer? c) Tone and Mood what was the general feel of the story? d) Dialogue quote (or paraphrase) a memorable line from the story. e) Conflict identify three important conflicts (external or internal) in the story? f) How did it all end? 3

4 2. Think about your favorite novels or short stories. What do you like about them? The characters? The action? The things that happen to them? Choose one novel or short story and briefly explain what things made this a favorite of yours. 3. Do you enjoy writing stories? Write a personal reflection of 2 paragraphs on your experiences with writing fiction. What parts do you find most difficult to develop or to write? What do you think are your strengths when it comes to writing fiction? 4

5 4. Read the sentences in the table below. Put a (1) next to the sentences which are written in the first person and a (3) next to the sentences which are written in the third person. I like cake She likes cake He fell off his bike but was brave and continued riding home I fell off my bike and it hurt a lot. I had to get home in time for dinner though, so I hopped back on and rode as fast as I could. 5. Look at the words below. What mood does each of these words evoke? a) Blue b) Thunder c) Sunshine d) Shaking e) Snarl 5

6 Active Viewing Guide 1. According to the program, what three characteristics are important to develop in a main character? 2. What types of things should you include in a character profile? 3. What does private life tell us about? 4. What is important for gaining readers' attention at the beginning of the story? 5. Complete this sentence: If you don't know what your story is about, neither will the. 6. Complete this sentence: The hook at the beginning should connect to the. 7. In what way does, The world was against me, differ in tone to Things were tough but I knew I would succeed? 6

7 8. What is mood? 9. Fill in the blanks to complete this sentence: Good dialogue forward and helps us to know and understand each. Along with their and thoughts, it s a way of building character. It informs the reader about a character s personality and their attitudes without it. 10. What needs to be established at the heart of any good plot? 11. Fill in the missing word: The conflict in the plot could be externally or driven. 12. As the story progresses it s important to continue building tension. How is this done? 13. Identify at least one thing a successful ending should do. 14. If the story has a circular narrative, where does the story begin? 7

8 Worksheet Character Development Think about your favorite book, movie, and computer game characters. What is it that draws you to them? What makes them interesting? Brainstorm a list of 4 of your favorite characters and complete the chart below based on character development tips listed in the program. Character name Name of book, movie, game What is his/her motivation? What makes this character believable? What makes this character sympathetic? 8

9 Worksheet Creating a Character Choose one of these options as the inspiration for a character you could create: Take a notebook and sit somewhere, a café or park for instance, and quietly observe the people around you. Choose a person that you find interesting and create their story. Cut a picture of an ordinary person from a newspaper or magazine and imagine their life story. Now that you ve selected your character, develop a profile for him or her by providing the following details: Physical characteristics: height, hair and eye color, is s/he handsome or plain? Wear glasses? Keep it brief. Personality: outgoing, shy, serious, humorous, selfish, or friendly? Beliefs and attitudes: Is s/he religious, environmentally aware, politically active? Does s/he have a carefree approach to life, a bad attitude about authority? Writing the character s history helps flesh them out. Explore professional, personal, and private aspects. The professional concerns his/her work life -- is s/he a doctor, a designer, a soldier, unemployed? The personal relates to family history and friends -- Where does s/he go to socialize? What events have had a dramatic impact on his/her life? Is your character married? Happily or otherwise? Private life tells us about hobbies -- what books, films, games and websites does s/he like? Does s/he go to the gym or learn karate? It s also where his/her secret hopes, dreams and fears reside. Brainstorm your character s profile in the boxes below Profile for (provide character name) Physical characteristics Professional details Personality Personal details (family, friends, relationships) Beliefs and attitudes Private life (hobbies) 9

10 Job interview Protagonist in one amazing story Imagine you are interviewing potential candidates for the lead role in one amazing story you are writing. Create a list of 10 questions to ask them. Working with a partner, interview each other about the characters you ve created. If you ve developed a strong profile, you should be able to answer the questions well. If you struggle with the questions, review your profile and see if you can add more elements to round out your character. 10

11 Hook the Reader Based on the suggestions in the program, practice ways to hook your reader by writing a story opening in one of the following formats. Begin with conflict or intrigue - something that makes the reader expect a dramatic unfolding. Write an introductory paragraph that is based on a significant action or conflict. Or, write an introductory paragraph that contains a mysterious element that the reader will want to learn more about. Begin with a question that your reader will want answered. Write an introductory paragraph that either begins or ends with a question. Get straight into the drama - introduce a dilemma or goal for the protagonist. Imagine your character in an interesting situation. Write an introductory paragraph that starts right in the middle of that situation. Reveal the dilemma or goal at the end of the paragraph. Use the scenario below as the basis for your opening. A person in a car is stopped in the middle of a road that is covered by floodwater in both directions. a) Write your introduction in the space below. 11

12 Establishing tone and mood Trapped in a Building Imagine two characters that are trapped in a building. Select only one of the following tones/genres for your story: Suspenseful, angry, humorous, adventurous, or romantic. Your task is to write two well developed paragraphs based on the information you provide for these questions. Brainstorm your ideas in the space provided. Identify the tone you will use for your writing: Provide basic character information who are these two people and what connects them to one another (e.g., friends, co-workers, enemies)? Provide time details such as what time of day or what time of year. Provide setting details. What kind of building is it or where is it located? Provide some background: why were they there in the first place? How did they get trapped in there? Build tension: what is going to happen next to further complicate things? Follow up: In small groups, compare your different versions. What words and techniques were used to support the chosen tone? 12

13 Writing Dialogue Dialogue can be used to propel the action of the story and to reveal insights about the plot and characters indirectly that is, showing instead of telling the reader. Activity Select one of the pairs of characters and one of the serious topics below. Write lines of dialogue between these two people, about the topic. But here is the catch: You cannot specifically reveal their relationship OR the actual topic by name. That means you can t write phrases like, Mom, I m dying, said her son. You may use additional description and action around your dialogue. When you have completed your dialogue, share it with a partner and see if they can guess the relationship and the topic. Alternatively, have two students in the class read the dialogue aloud and see if the class can guess the relationship and topic. Pairs of characters: Parent Child Teacher Student Journalist Politician Chef restaurant customer Police officer Criminal Boss Employee Actor Director Patient Doctor Guitarist drummer Dance partners Serious topics: A break up The death of a pet Making a large purchase Failed technology An earthquake A theft An important ceremony A medical diagnosis Climate change Moving away Eating disorder Addiction 13

14 Fan Fiction Pitch your plot! Think about one of your favorite stories either a movie or a novel. Imagine the production studio or publishing company is running a competition for fans to submit plot ideas for the sequel. Your task is to create a pitch for this story. Here are your guidelines: Base it on at least one existing character from the original story Provide the setting and time (how soon or long after the original does this story take place?) Provide either a starting situation OR a goal he/she wants to achieve Explain 3 complications that will occur as the protagonist tries to respond to the situation OR reach his/her goal The ending -- the consequences (good or bad) of the character s actions Your pitch can not exceed 250 words. 14

15 Suggested Student Responses Active Viewing Guide 1. According to the program, what three characteristics are important to develop in a main character? Their motivation, they must be believable and sympathetic 2. What types of things should you include in a character profile? Physical characteristics, personality, beliefs, their histories (professional, personal, private) 3. What does private life tell us about? Hobbies, likes and dislikes, dreams and hopes 4. What is important for gaining readers' attention at the beginning of the story? Creating conflict / intrigue. Involving the reader at an emotional level. 5. Complete this sentence: If you don't know what your story is about, neither will the reader. 6. Complete this sentence: The hook at the beginning should connect to the ending. 7. In what way does, The world was against me, differ in tone to Things were tough but I knew I would succeed? One is optimistic; one is pessimistic 8. What is mood? The dominant feeling of the story 9. Fill in the blanks to complete this sentence: Good dialogue moves forward and helps us to know and understand each character. Along with their actions and internal thoughts, it s a way of building character. It informs the reader about a character s personality and their attitudes without explicitly explaining it. 10. What needs to be established at the heart of any good plot? Conflict 11. Fill in the missing word: The conflict in the plot could be externally or internally driven. 12. As the story progresses it s important to continue building tension. How is this done? Tension is built by increasing what s at stake as each obstacle is encountered 13. Identify at least one thing a successful ending should do. Tie up the story plot and themes; relate to the beginning of the story 14. If the story has a circular narrative, where does the story begin? At the end 15