Starter quiz
- What does ignominy mean?
- public acceptance
- public apology
- public disgrace ✓
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- What is register when thinking about writing?
- the personality of a voice
- the emotion of a voice
- the level of formality of a voice ✓
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- What is a 'guffaw'?
- a wild cry
- an intense game
- a loud laugh ✓
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- Which of the below contributes to a sensitive voice?
- 'Please don't judge me.' ✓
- 'Call me clueless. Call me whatever you like.'
- 'I doubt you would know better.'
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- What might we want to do in a short narrative to keep it interesting?
- introduce as many characters as possible
- give the plot a resolution
- manipulate time ✓
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- What might we need to do in the exposition of a short narrative to ensure events develop in a believable way?
- describe the weather for a long time
- create a complete tone of calm
- plant the seed for something to go wrong ✓
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Exit quiz
- Which of these might lead to someone feeling bedraggled?
- walking through heavy downpour ✓
- having their hair and makeup done
- going on a short jog
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- When writing a short narrative, it is most important to …
- give your story a resolution.
- incorporate as many different characters as possible.
- maintain a consistent narrative voice throughout paragraphs. ✓
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- What might be a clever way to delay the climax of your short story whilst maintaining voice?
- describe the weather to add to the atmosphere
- intersperse action with the narrator's inner monologue ✓
- use a simile to describe the scene
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- Which of these examples would represent a blunt and harsh voice?
- 'He’s not the most attentive, bless him.'
- 'He’s a bit soulless if you ask me.' ✓
- 'He shows his love in unique ways, but I know it’s there.'
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- What is true of narrative voice when writing a short story?
- we need at least five voices to be shown
- the main voice of our narrative should be emotionally connected to the plot ✓
- the narrator's voice should always be true to the writer's own
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- How can we manipulate time in a text to create an interesting short story?
- describe events in chronological order
- intersperse the narrative with letters
- begin the narrative with the climax ✓
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- We do not have to get to the resolution of a plot in a short story.
- We can manipulate time in our narrative to give it an interesting structure.
- When we manipulate time, we need to ensure we set up for the rest of the narrative to follow.
- We must maintain a consistent narrative voice throughout our work.
- Interspersing the plot with a narrator’s inner monologue can be a clever way to build tension.
Common misconception
Plot is the most important part of a narrative.
Voice is equally important to plot when writing a narrative. Ask students: if there was a resolution to the story but no distinct voice, how would the story change? Would it be effective, enjoyable?
Keywords
Ignominy - public shame or disgrace
Discern - to be able to see or recognise something
Bedraggled - wet, dirty, untidy
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