Creative writing assignment #10

The final Solution
(writing piece #10)

It is time for everything to be revealed! But does the murderer get away? Is she shot down just as she is planning to release her death blow on her third victim? Have the detectives drawn together all the remaining suspects in order to pin the murder on the real murderer… or do they have the wrong guy?

Task: Use any form that you want to express this final chapter of your work. You are revealing your murderer (if you haven’t already) and you are dispensing literary justice- do your characters get what they deserve? Do some characters get away with their crimes? These are questions that you need to answer in this final part.

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:
1. Have I tied up all necessary loose ends?
2. Is the solution a “tragedy” (people die in the end) or a “comedy” (the murderer is caught and all is good again)?
3. Is the final form that I used the best way to wrap things up…?
4. Is the flow between my various pieces logical/understandable?
5. Have I been creative and used my imagination?

Creative writing assignment #9

The Last Movement
(writing “filler” piece #9- optional)

Everything seems to be going along smoothly… or is it…? Your Detective is hot on the trail and closing in on the murderer… or is she/he? Now is the time to drop some clues… who is your killer- but don’t tell us yet… Now is the time flesh out your story to be sure that things are understandable… Give us a clue but not the killer!

All the pieces are in play- the Killer is almost caught, but will there be another body? Is there a surprise on the way for the detective…?

Task: choose one of the forms that you like (description, reportage, interior monologue, straight narration with dialogue) and write a “filler piece”. This should “fill” any holes in your plot and help move your plot in the direction that you want it to. This piece comes towards the end of your writing so try to move your plot to the end of the mystery… depending how things have been playing out you could have your killer revealed.

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:
1. Where am I missing information?
2. How has my story changed now that someone else has killed one of my characters?
3. What needs to be worked out and how do I move my audience to the final show-down and the solution to my mystery?

Creative writing assignment #7

The Clue
(writing “filler” piece #7- optional)

This piece can be placed at any point in your story where you need to make a connection between pieces (i.e. the transition between #4 and #5 doesn’t make sense- this allows you to smooth that over).

Task: choose one of the forms that you like (description, reportage, interior monologue, straight narration with dialogue) and write a “filler piece”. This should “fill” any holes in your plot and help move your plot in the direction that you want it to.

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:
1. Where am I missing information?
2. What needs to be worked out and how do I move my audience to the final show-down and the solution to my mystery?

Creative writing assignments #8

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
(writing piece #8)

A postcard could give you away. A license plate number can help track down people on the run… A Polaroid could make a connection… some say a picture’s worth a thousand words!

This is where you can show those things that are pertinent to your character and/or story… The image should intrigue your audience.

An image works and can be read the same way a “text” (letters, words, and sentences) can be read- you just have to know how and find the reasons that it is relevant.
Task: Find a photograph that illustrates some part of your story. Write a brief caption underneath it explaining it- try to use the voice(s) that you have already explored in earlier pieces (i.e. evidence=investigators voice)

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:
1. What scene/object/person do I want to illustrate.
2. Find something that ADDS to your story… it is a “textual element”.
3. What voice am I going to use to write the caption? Will this be a picture from a newspaper, from the notebook of the detective, a scrap found at the scene of the crime?
4. How important is this photo- will you be giving away the murderer…?

Writting a Response

Response

Format for the Polished Response

You should respond to what the GUIDING QUESTION that is being asked.

Intro: 

1.      Hook: you should get the interest of your reader; try not to make this a question!- try to use strong statements that reflect your opinion of the issue/theme/ideas that you are going to talk about.

2.      Thesis Statement: This is what you are going to be talking about; the issue/theme/idea and what you are going to say about it.  Ex. War is the issue; you will be talking about motivations to fight; Thesis statement: Going to war takes a special type of person, but the motivations to kill can be many.

3.      You should mention those works that you will use in your response.

Body:

1.      You need to make a world connection or Media connection.

·        These connections should reflect both a greater issue/idea/theme, but be explained using specific quotes from the text and an event from the world.  Do not be vague!  Do not avoid detail- avoid summary!

2.      You need to talk about the authors techniques.

·        Here you discuss HOW the author presents their work.  Think about the impact of the writing and WHY they chose their techniques- an author does not write something for no reason.

·        Major elements are:

o       Point-of-view

o       Character and setting

o       Mood, tone, style

o       Allusion, irony, foreshadowing, metaphor, imagery

o       Symbolism

3.      You need to use QUOTES from the texts-

·        Be sure that these are specific to what you are talking about, and support your theme/issue/idea.

·        Be sure to annotate your quote (tell me where it came from) ex.: “My first three months of university were a challenge,…” (Tears of the Desert, p.174)

·        If your quote is very long (though it shouldn’t be) use three dots inbetween the first words and the last words of the quote and be sure to annotate.  Ex.: “My first three… come to pass” (Tears of the Desert, p.174)

Conclusion:

1.      This is where you finalize your ideas and tie-up loose ends.  Re-stating your thesis statement might seem repetitive, but be clear!  Do not add new thoughts or conclusions that you have not previously discussed or implied!  Be sure to include:

·        Your thesis statement (complete or paraphrased)

·        Consider final thoughts, opinions, and quotes.

·        Consider a thought provoking question or comment, quote, witty comment or fun final statement.

Creative writing assignments #6

Task#6: The Second Body

Just when one body is getting cold another…?  Is it the same killer or was it someone else…?  One suspect falls…  Why?  For what reason?  What are the clues?

Reading and “listening”:  This exercise is about you paying attention to what the other person has written. 

*It is best if you are choosing/writing without knowing the killer (a surprise for the person who gave you their work!)

writing: after having read it is for you to copy (emulate) the other person’s voice and “context”- in other words you cannot invent anything that does not make sense in the world you have read about… (i.e. no aliens, unless there were aliens in the story…) 

Task:  To read another person’s work so far and “kill” one of their suspects.  You should do this using any form that you are familiar with or that (i.e. the narrative form (3^rd person- observer), interior monologue, descriptive, dialogue… etc.- poem if you wish…)

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:

1.          Which person are you going to kill?

2.          How will they die?

3.          How close are you bringing the reader to the action?

4.          Choose the form you wish to use- either one that you wish to practice or one that you feel comfortable with.

5.          As you are telling a “mystery”, be sure that you don’t say who did it! (but you can start giving a hints…)

Creative writing assignments #5

TASK #5:  Thoughts of a Criminal- INTERIOR MONOLOGUE

We know what the cops are thinking- now it is time to let the killer think for a bit.  What are they thinking?  Are they guilty?  Are they about to be discovered?  Are they planning their next murder? 

Writing interior monologue:  an interior monologue reveals what the speaker (your character) is thinking.  Rarely do we think in full sentences- so “poetic licence” is in full effect!  Please use CAPS, PUNCTUATION, and ”…” to full effect, and try to avoid full sentences. 

It is here that you allow the true voice of your killer to come through- and your killer’s true state of mind! 

Task:  write an Interior Monologue that reveals your killer’s state of mind, but not who the killer is.  This monologue can take place at anytime during your murder story (or at least up until now)    

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:

1.          IS your killer nervous or calm, cool and collected?

2.          Is she planning her next murder?

3.          Do they feel guilty or are they cold and bloodless?

4.          You might want to have them reveal their reasoning and why the killed their person… or maybe they are on the run and desperate…

5.          As you are telling a “mystery”, be sure that you don’t say who did it! (but you can start giving a hints…)