Presentation Transcript

1. Writing a Short Story

   Reviewing what we know…
2. Review… Good opening paragraph Using different sentence types Using a variety of sentence length Showing, not telling Using the 5 senses Creating good characters Using the parts of plot Good closing paragraph
3. Opening Paragraph Creates emotion Captures reader’s attention Doesn’t reveal too much Creates intrigue/puts questions in the reader’s mind Makes you want to keep reading
4. Different sentence types Using the same type of sentence can get b..o..r..i..n..g... Switching between sentence types makes it more interesting to look at when you read. The four types of sentences are: Statement: Ms. Schoepf has a classroom Question: Do you know where Ms. Schoepf’s room is? Exclamation: I’m going to Ms. Schoepf’s class! Command: Go to Ms. Schoepf’s class now.
5. Sentence Lengths Sentences have different lengths so they don’t create a hard rhythm. When we find rhythms in sentences we focus more on the rhythm than the words in the sentence. I have a dog. My dog is fun. His name is Charlie. Charlie likes to jump. He likes treats. I have a dog named Charlie. Charlie’s a lot of fun! He likes to do tricks, like jump, for treats!
6. Showing, Not Telling It’s important in your writing to show the reader what you mean instead of telling them. Using the 5 senses in your writing will automatically help your reader ‘see’ your story. Remember, the way to show is to be descriptive.
7. Using the 5 Senses in Writing Remember the exercise we did where we walked into different stores and described them? This is the same thing! Describing things using the 5 senses makes it easier for the reader to ‘see’ what’s going on in your story. When you can ‘see’ it, it’s easier to get interested in what’s going on! How do you write with the 5 senses?
8. 5 Senses… It sounds pretty bland if you say: It smelled like cake. It sounded like lots of people. It looked like a bakery. It tasted like frosting. It felt like warm cake. It sounds more interesting like this: The warm, fresh baked cake smell wafted through the air as the sounds of busy people trying to buy last minute items sounded through the air. The bakery was bustling with the feeling of cake coming out of the oven. I could practically taste the frosting!
9. Creating Good Characters We practiced working on describing characters. What did they look like. What would different types of characters say, or do. Do you rememberthe checklist? Physical appearance Movements, gestures, & habits Attitude to others Dialogue (the way he/she speaks) Physical environment (setting) Character’s past Minor features (likes/dislikes)
10. Plot The plot is the story line that follows a specific pattern. That pattern has 5 parts: Exposition Rising action Climax Falling action Resolution Let’s take a look at what each one is! }beginning }middle } end
11. 1. Exposition This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict.
12. 2. Rising Action This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.
13. 3. Climax This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.
14. 4. Falling Action All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) andclimax are taken care of.
15. 5. Resolution The story comes to a reasonable ending.
16. Closing Paragraph The closing paragraph should nicely end the story with some kind of reference to the opening paragraph to make it seem complete.