Magister Yeats
Item List
WW4.01
Putting dialogue in prose.
What are the differences between scenes and prose?
BELL WORK
Journal: Do you have a favorite short story or novel? If not, what kinds of stories do you think you'd want to read?
WE WILL
Describe fundamental elements of prose fiction
Narrator/Point of View
Character
Setting
Plot
Tone
Mood
Describe how to insert dialogue into prose fiction.
YOU WILL
Practice with one of your scenes, turning a few pieces of dialogue into prose.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Read one of these mentor texts to get inspiration on your scenes!
List of the Best Short Stories
Recommended Mentor Texts Article
WW4.02 a-b
Flash fiction
How can you cram a big story into a little space?
BELL WORK
Journal: Write the shortest story you can! It needs a character, exposition, and a resolution.
WE WILL
(A) Define flash fiction.
(A) Describe strengths and limitations of flash fiction.
(A) Read the mentor text War of the Clowns by Mia Couto.
YOU WILL
(B) Draft a flash fiction piece that is less than a page long. Put in SHORT STORY.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Edit and type up a final draft.
WW4.03
Adding the Third Character
What role does a third character, or fourth, or fifth, add to a story's fundamental conflict?
BELL WORK
Journal: 5-minute free write.
WE WILL
Describe how conflict changes when a third character is added to the narrative.
Review cliche characters and how to avoid them.
YOU WILL
Pre-write ideas for a three-character narrative.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Begin reading a mentor short story of your choosing.
WW4.04 a-c
Providing Exposition and Audience Inference
How do we share critical info while not oversharing?
BELL WORK
Journal: When has a piece of writing surprised you? What makes a big plot reveal so satisfying?
WE WILL
(A) Read a mentor text on the use of audience inference and surprise.
(A) Discuss the role of exposition in writing.
(B) Identify common exposition mistakes.
YOU WILL
(A-B) Draft a story that ends with a twist.
(C) Share out your story in small groups.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Workshop your scene with a partner or with me to explore ways to make the reveal hit harder.
WW4.05 a-b
Drafting Day
We get by with a little help from our friends!
BELL WORK
Journal: Which idea do you want to take to final draft?
WE WILL
(A) Share out with a neighbor which piece you're working on.
YOU WILL
(A-B) Prepare a final draft of a short story.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Begin working on a new piece!
WW4.06
Share out
Show us what you got!
BELL WORK
Make sure your piece is ready to share out.
WE WILL
Review the rules for sharing feedback and being supportive of other writers.
YOU WILL
Share out your piece in small groups of 4-5.
Choose one piece from each group to share out with the whole class.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Share out other pieces from the groups!
WW4.07 a-c
()Exploring New Genres
What are common elements of particular genres?
BELL WORK
(A) Journal: Do you prefer comedy or horror stories? Why?
WE WILL
(A) Compare the tone and mood of horror and comedy.
(A) Describe theories of what makes something funny.
(A) Describe theories of types of horror.
(B-C) Individual check-ins to workshop pieces.
YOU WILL
(A) Choose either comedy or horror and begin drafting.
(B-C) Complete a rough draft to share out on 4.8.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Revise your story to strengthen the least scary/funny moment.
WW4.08
Share Out
Time to share with an audience!
BELL WORK
Journal: What tricks help you stay calm when presenting to a group?
WE WILL
Review aspects of being good audience members.
YOU WILL
Share out a piece of your choice from this unit for the entire class (if necessary, we'll extend to a second day).
Turn in your journal for a journal check.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Listen to the short story "The Girl with Bangs" by Zadie Smith.