lesson 10: author's tool box telling the story
These last 5 lessons in Unit 2 will be focusing on the art of story writing.
In the last lesson, lesson 9, we took a peek into an author's tool box (metaphorically speaking) and learned about the writing tool choosing words to create a 'feel' for a story.
Remember, word choice (diction) creates the tone and mood of a story.
In this lesson, we will be looking at how authors arrange the words they chose into sentences.
There are two types of writing techniques discussed in this lesson: sentence length and descriptive writing,
In the last lesson, lesson 9, we took a peek into an author's tool box (metaphorically speaking) and learned about the writing tool choosing words to create a 'feel' for a story.
Remember, word choice (diction) creates the tone and mood of a story.
In this lesson, we will be looking at how authors arrange the words they chose into sentences.
There are two types of writing techniques discussed in this lesson: sentence length and descriptive writing,
sentence length
Simply put, good writers can write both short and long sentences.
The point of writing both short and long sentences is to entertain the reader, to keep the reader's attention and to provide a flow.
Slide 2 in the lesson compares the use of long and short sentences to different music samples.
Slide 4 gives you some words to use to combine short sentences to make them longer. It also gives you examples from the story, Little Brother, and throws some words at you like: subordinate clause and independent clause.
Independent clause is a very intelligent sounding way of saying a sentence.
Subordinate clause is a very intelligent sounding way of saying incomplete sentence.
Check it out:
The point of writing both short and long sentences is to entertain the reader, to keep the reader's attention and to provide a flow.
Slide 2 in the lesson compares the use of long and short sentences to different music samples.
Slide 4 gives you some words to use to combine short sentences to make them longer. It also gives you examples from the story, Little Brother, and throws some words at you like: subordinate clause and independent clause.
Independent clause is a very intelligent sounding way of saying a sentence.
Subordinate clause is a very intelligent sounding way of saying incomplete sentence.
Check it out:
As a writer, it's important to be kind to your reader. Give them something interesting to read, and change up your sentence length!
descriptive words
Use them!
Give enough description so that your reader can see the scene like a movie in their minds.
Be careful though! Don't use so much description that the story moves slowly.
I'll be honest, I tend to skip over descriptions in books, especially those that take to long to describe the setting the character is in. You probably do the same thing.
When you write stories, think about other things to describe. Appeal to your reader's other senses--like touch, sound, smell and hearing.
Slide 3 gives you some interactives to explore this technique further.
Give enough description so that your reader can see the scene like a movie in their minds.
Be careful though! Don't use so much description that the story moves slowly.
I'll be honest, I tend to skip over descriptions in books, especially those that take to long to describe the setting the character is in. You probably do the same thing.
When you write stories, think about other things to describe. Appeal to your reader's other senses--like touch, sound, smell and hearing.
Slide 3 gives you some interactives to explore this technique further.
Writing Grammatically correct sentences
Slide 5 has a bulleted list at the bottom of the page dealing with several very important rules you should know about writing.
The all fall under the category of writing grammatically correct (according to 'da rules') sentences. It's important for you to know and follow the rules. Why?
Here is my favorite reason why it's important to know the grammar rules:
People (who know the rules) know when they are reading writing done by people who DON'T know the rules--got that? It's obvious when a person doesn't know how to write correctly. Stay with me...I'm going somewhere with this:
People who DON'T know the rules tend to be perceived as less-educated and therefore, possibly easier to take advantage of--financially, politically, and ethically.
Show your power and strength by demonstrating that you are a person that knows how to write, that you are a person that knows the rules and expects to be treated with respect in all matters.
Your skill and competence in writing can speak for your self respect and general knowledge of the rules of the game of life.
Give yourself every advantage to be more powerful--learn your grammar.
The all fall under the category of writing grammatically correct (according to 'da rules') sentences. It's important for you to know and follow the rules. Why?
Here is my favorite reason why it's important to know the grammar rules:
People (who know the rules) know when they are reading writing done by people who DON'T know the rules--got that? It's obvious when a person doesn't know how to write correctly. Stay with me...I'm going somewhere with this:
People who DON'T know the rules tend to be perceived as less-educated and therefore, possibly easier to take advantage of--financially, politically, and ethically.
Show your power and strength by demonstrating that you are a person that knows how to write, that you are a person that knows the rules and expects to be treated with respect in all matters.
Your skill and competence in writing can speak for your self respect and general knowledge of the rules of the game of life.
Give yourself every advantage to be more powerful--learn your grammar.
Sentence Rules
Spend time on slide 5 and TAKE NOTES on sentence structure, comma usage, run-ons, comma splices and semicolons.
Save your notes forever and ever (I'm kidding. But not really.) and use them to help you write better.
Save your notes forever and ever (I'm kidding. But not really.) and use them to help you write better.
Assessment: two portfolios
There are two different assessments for this lesson.
ONE: Turn in your completed 'Text Analysis Graphic Organizer' in to the dropbox on slide 7.
TWO: Complete the 'Author's Tool Box Revision Sheet' given to you on slide 6 into the drop box on slide 8.
Follow the instructions given on the worksheet to receive full points on the assignment.
ONE: Turn in your completed 'Text Analysis Graphic Organizer' in to the dropbox on slide 7.
TWO: Complete the 'Author's Tool Box Revision Sheet' given to you on slide 6 into the drop box on slide 8.
Follow the instructions given on the worksheet to receive full points on the assignment.
extra credit opportunity!!
Submit your notes that you took on slide 5 (from the 'How is it done?' box) along with your completed 'Authors Tool Box Revision Sheet' into the dropbox on slide 8 for a change at up to 20+ points.
In the next lesson, we will be writing a short (very short!) story!!
See you there!!
In the next lesson, we will be writing a short (very short!) story!!
See you there!!