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…)

Creative writing assignments #4

TASK #4:  Bringing the suspect into Custody

You can’t let the body get too cold!  It’s time for the investigation to begin.  The cops have decided to take in some suspects.  The investigator is taking matters into her own hands- the murderer has to be found… or at least uncover some clues…

Writing dialogue:  Dialogue is a matter of format; be sure the format is correct! (Marks depend on it!)  When you write dialogue you use “” and have a new line whenever a new person talks.  You can also have bits of description in your writing to help the reader understand the mood and/or attitude of the speaker…

     

Ex.:         “Alright Sylvia, it’s time to talk.”

              “I ain’t sayin’ nuttin’”, says the young Gamin in her tattered dress.

              “A pretty girl like you,” the investigator starts, leaning in, getting his face within a hair of the Gamin’s nose, then whispers “shouldn’t be so quiet.”

              “I ain’t sayin’ nuttin’”, she says again, turning her head away slightly.  But this time she smiles slightly at of the investigator’s subtle compliment.

              “TALK!”

              The Gamin jumps with the loud sound, the investigator is still only millimetres away.

              “TALK!” he barks again.

Task:  you are going to have your investigator interview one (or more) of your suspects: 

1.       choose/create an investigator (member of the police, Private Eye, a witness taking matters into his/her own hands)

2.       Choose which suspect to interview; how does that suspect act; are they belligerent, sad, do they “spill the beans” or are they asking for their lawyer?

3.       Once you have your characters- what questions will your investigator ask?  What will he/she say and what will that reveal about the plot? 

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:

1.          Use different speech patterns for your characters.

2.          Do you need description and dialogue so your reader understands your story?

3.          Is your format correct?  How does your suspect react to the questioning?  Do they crumble under the strain?  Are the investigators playing good cop/bad cop?

4.          How is this character involved?  Are the investigators on the trail or are they barking up the wrong tree?

5.          As you are telling a “mystery” be sure that you don’t say who did it!

Creative writing assignments #3

TASK #3: Descriptive writing part ii

We have seen the people possibly responsible for a heinous crime… now it’s time to take a longer look and closer look at the crime scene.  Look at the body... look where it is... Look for a clue!

Task: Write descriptive paragraph(s) that describes the CRIME SCENE- be sure to include a view of the body and the surroundings that it is in. Include at least one clue!

Thesaurus will be good here!  Do not tell feelings- show them!

Try to use as many metaphors, similes and adjectives to create an atmosphere and “feel” of your character!

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:

1.          Is there a body?  Is it lying in a pool of blood?

2.          As you are telling a “mystery” be sure that you don’t say who did it!

3.          What is the clue(s)?  Where do they point to?

4.          Now is the time to possibly introduce (new) characters.

5.          Is there a murder weapon there?

6.          Have you packed the description full of similes and metaphors?  Are there enough adjectives?

Creative writing assignments #2

TASK #2: Description of Suspects

The suspects are scattered around the crime scene; they might be crying, looking sceptical, maybe angry that they were disturbed from their daily routine… in any case anyone of these people could bethe killer!

 

Task: Write descriptive paragraphs for your suspects (at least for three different suspects)- be sure to include not only how they look but also how they are acting (nervous, jittery, anxious, bold, etc.)  Thesaurus will be good here!  Do not tell feelings- show them!

Try to use as many metaphors, similes and adjectives to create an atmosphere and “feel” of your character!

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:

1.          Is anyone acting guilty?  Are they the Killer or did they do something else that was bad?

2.          As you are telling a “mystery” be sure that you don’t say who did it!

3.          What is the relationship of the suspects to the deceased?

4.          Do the suspects know each other?

5.          Does anyone have “blood on their hands”? (literally or figuratively) Is on of the suspects an old associate?  Old lover?

 

Descriptive writing often uses metaphors and similes to build the picture.  An extended metaphor or simile helps continue the image (i.e. If a character has “…a nose like the beak of a bird.”, you might continue the bird simile with: “When she squawked her hello, there was no sadness only anger.”)

Descriptive writing should also make use of adjectives (those words that describe nouns).  Try to talk about something rather than just name it:

The old woman

vs.

The grey, worn out hag with the drooping eyes and thin dry lips, and skin with the lines of a crumpled paper bag.

 ex. 

Creative writing assignments #1

TASK #1:  Writing Newspaper article of the murder:

Write the newspaper article as the reporter on the scene.

Questions to ask yourself/ things to think about:

1.          Did I answer the 5w’s?

2.          As you are telling a “mystery”  be sure that you don’t say who did it!

3.          is there a murder weapon?

4.          How were they killed

5.          Are there policemen’s comments?  Were there witnesses to the crime?

6.          Who are the suspects?  You should have at least 3.

Week in Review (week end Jan 22)

We have been winding down the War Unit with an LES about the victims of War.  You have been given several pieces of reading material; pieces from: All Quiet of the Western Front, Tears of the Desert, and Anne Frank's Diary.  The fourth piece that you were to take note on was a Ted Talks video of James Nachtwey, a photojournalist.

You will have another part added onto the "NOTE" taking part of the LES and use it a bit as a diversion from the more serious note taking; though it could help with formulating a stance on the idea of the "WITNESS".

Remember you are looking at how the witness voices the concern of the victim.  Something that was pointed out to me, which is really interesting, is that sometimes the Witness can be the Victim... ie. Anne Frank and also James Natchwey (when he says "I had to find a way to deal with my anger.."). 

If you can't complain- who speaks for you?  If your "voice" is stolen from you, how do you get it again...?  Do a Youtube search on what is currently going on in Iran... how does the voice get heard now... could we say that Youtube and other "new media" works as the new "Witness"...

Coming Up!:
We will be continuing the LES for the next week!

Homework

This weekend you have the response to "Saving Private Ryan" that is due on Monday.  Remember that when you are doing a respnse you have to identify the author technique and explain what the impact of that technique is!

The response should be a two pages double spaced- hand written.  If there is any, and I mean any, unnecessary summary within the response- you will loose marks.

Week in Review (week end Jan 22)

Well the first week of Term Three is behind us.  Because the exams were so "sketchy" we're going to go back and review what a summary is and what a response is (see Homework).  Then get on to the essay- Comparative essay.

We finished looking at the clip for "Saving Private Ryan" and the summary was due in class- the response is due for Homework.  Remember a summary sums up what you have seen.  Do NOT give me history or generalities about the event- tell me what you saw.

A Summary tells what was seen-
A response tells what you felt about what you saw-
An essay tells the reader what you saw, felt and know about the subject.

Happy New Year!

Hey everybody!

I've had a hard time getting to do any of the marking that you all ended december with, and as exams are lurcking in the coming weeks- I think we'll be looking at some war films- especially looking at the "invasion"; specifically Starship Troopers, The Longest Day, and Saving Private Ryan.

This will be done in order to work on the comparitive essay!

Look forward to seeing you all in the coming week- happy end of the vacation!