Narratives
Showing A Character’s Trait
We tell students to "show, not tell" in their writing, but this advice isn't effective until they experience the difference. In this video, we'll put a famous character (of students' choosing) into a mundane situation and develop a fun scene to show off their main traits.
Better Stories Part 4: Character Archetypes
Are students' characters a bit flat? Archetypes give them a strong foundation on which to build their own characters as well as a tool to analyze existing stories.
Identifying Author’s Voice
What if... Edgar Allen Poe wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?
Better Stories Part 1: The Big Idea
We open our unit on narrative writing with a big idea: "structure increases creativity." I show how this is true by bringing in examples from across all disciplines.
Better Stories Part 3: Literary Themes
A typical student narrative includes plot and characters but lacks a larger idea to hold it all together. This is where a lesson on themes comes in…
Better Stories Part 5: Plot Structure
Ever read a student's story that was just event after event after event and then a very sudden ending? They lack an understanding of a plot's structure. With the help of Finding Nemo, I break down how to set up a well-structured plot.
A Halloween Costume Gone Wrong
Let's go roller skating in a Halloween costume! What could possibly go wrong?
Better Stories Part 2: Types of Conflict
If your students' stories are packed with endless ninja fights or arguments between frenemies, it's time to expose them to a wider range of conflicts.
Change A Story’s Genre
What if we rewrote a story's climax into a totally different genre?