Higher Writing Folio: Creative Writing 1

The Big PictureThe Big Picture• During this unit, I will:• Become familiar with the necessary

features of a short story.• Focus on settingsetting, atmosphereatmosphere,

characterisationcharacterisation, plotplot and language.language.• Write a creative essay in a group.• Write a creative essay for my writing

folio

Learning Learning OutcomesOutcomes

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 CriteriaSuccess 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 What is a Short Story?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 What is a Short Story?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 What is a Short Story?Story?

• The author’s focus on this main idea is channelled through his……

Language.

Setting.

Characterisation.

Atmosphere.

What is a Short What is a Short Story?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 Basic Features of a Short Story?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’.

PLOTPLOTBEGINNING - 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.

PLOTPLOT

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.

PLOTPLOT

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

PLOTPLOT

End → Beginning → Middle• You start at the end and then use

flashback to tell the story from the beginning

PLOTPLOT

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.

PLOTPLOT

Middle → Beginning → End• You start in the middle, use flashback

to tell about the beginning, then move to the end. This is often done.

PLOTPLOT

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

PLOTPLOT

• 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.

PLOTPLOT

•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 1Plot Line 1Boy meets girlA 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 QuestA 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 2Plot 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 3Plot 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 4Plot 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 5Plot 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 6Plot 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 7Plot Line 7

• Tit for tat.A character achieves a fitting revenge.

Examples: The Count of Monte Cristo

(Alexander Dumas)

Plot Line 8Plot 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)