Story Writing: Mystery. Category

Transcription

1 Story Writing: Mystery Student Name: No more than three pages, no fewer than three pages Category Student devotes a lot of Student devotes Student devotes time and effort to the sufficient time and some time and effort writing process effort to the writing to the writing (prewriting, drafting, process (prewriting, process but was not reviewing, and editing). drafting, reviewing, and very thorough. Does Works hard to make the editing). Works and enough to get by. story wonderful. gets the job done. Writing Process Creativity Setting Problem/ Conflict Plot--- introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, solution or denouement Characters Dialogue The story contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has really used his or her imagination. Many vivid, descriptive words are used to tell when and where the story took place. It is very easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem. The story has a plot with all five major elements. The main characters are named and clearly described in text. Most readers could describe the characters accurately. There is an appropriate amount of dialogue to bring the characters to life and it is always clear which character is speaking. The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has used his imagination. Some vivid, descriptive words are used to tell the audience when and where the story took place. It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem. The story has most of the plot elements but not all. The main characters are named and described. Most readers would have some idea of what the characters looked like. There is too much dialogue in this story, but it is always clear which character is speaking. The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the story. The author has tried to use his imagination. The reader can figure out when and where the story took place, but the author didn't supply much detail. It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face but it is not clear why it is a problem. The story attempts to have a plot but is missing almost all of the elements. The main characters are named. The reader knows very little about the characters. There is not quite enough dialogue in this story, but it is always clear which character is speaking. Student devotes little time and effort to the writing process. The author doesn't seem to care. There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination. The reader has trouble figuring out when and where the story took place. It is not clear what problem the main characters face. There is no plot. It is hard to tell who the main characters are. It is not clear which character is speaking.

2 Action Verbs Title Grammar, Spelling, Capitalization and Punctuation (Mechanics/ Conventions) Neatness/ MLA Format Vocabulary Several action verbs (active voice) are used to describe what is happening in the story. The story seems exciting. Title is creative, sparks interest and is related to the story and topic. There are no grammar, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors in the final draft. Character and place names that the author invented are spelled consistently throughout. The final draft of the story is readable, clean, neat, and attractive. It is free of crossed-out words and looks like the author took tremendous pride in it. Perfect MLA format All words are used correctly and creatively in the story. Sentence wording proves knowledge of word s meaning. Several action verbs are used to describe what is happening in the story, but the word choice doesn't make the story as exciting as it could be. Title is related to the story and topic. There is one spelling, grammar, or punctuation error in the final draft. The final draft of the story is readable, neat and attractive. It may have one or two crossed-out words, but they are not distracting. It looks like the author took some pride in it. Mistake in MLA format Most words are used correctly in the story. Sentence wording proves knowledge of word s meaning. A variety of verbs (passive voice) are used and describe the action accurately but not in a very exciting way. Title is present, but does not appear to be related to the story and topic. There are 2-3 spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in the final draft. The final draft of the story is readable and some of the pages are attractive. It looks like parts of it might have been done in a hurry. Two to three mistakes in MLA format. Some words are used correctly in the story. List words missing. Knowledge of meaning is unclear, or an incorrect form of word was used. Little variety seen in the verbs that are used. The story seems a little boring. No title. The final draft has more than 3 spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. The final draft is not neat or attractive. It looks like the student just wanted to get it done and didn't care what it looked like. Multiple errors in MLA format. Few words are used correctly in the story. List words are missing. It is obvious that the writer did not understand the meaning of most words. Figurative Language Writer effectively uses two examples of figurative language: simile, metaphor, or personification. Writer uses one example of simile, metaphor, or personification. Writer may try to use simile, metaphor, and personification but does so incorrectly. Writer does not include simile, metaphor, and personification. Sentence Structure (Sentence Fluency/ Syntax) x5 All sentences are well constructed with varied structure. Most sentences are well constructed with varied structure. Most sentences are well constructed but have a similar structure. Sentences lack structure and appear incomplete or rambling. Score: Possible points: 280 Divide total by 280. Grade:

3 List of Mystery Words to Use in Short Story Alibi: An excuse that an accused person uses to show that he or she was not at the scene of the crime Breakthrough: A discovery that helps solve the crime Clue: A fact or object that gives information toward solving the crime Crime: An action that breaks the law Deduction: Drawing a conclusion Detective: An investigator looking for and gathering clues Evidence: A thing or statement that helps to prove who committed the crime Hunch: A guess or feeling not based on facts Motive: A reason that a person does something can include anger, hatred, love, or greed Mystery: Something that is unknown Red herring: A false clue that throws the investigator off track Sleuth: An investigator Suspect: Person who has a motive to have committed a crime Witness: Person who has knowledge about a crime Possible Crimes 1. Murder Unlawfully and deliberately killing someone 2. Burglary To enter a building, often while no one is in it, and steal money or objects 3. Pickpocketing To steal from someone s pocket, without them realizing 4. Arson To set fire to a building illegally 5. Hijacking To use force to take control of a plane, ship, train, and more. 6. Theft Stealing-usually secretly and without violence 7. Smuggling To bring illegal goods, like drugs, into a country or to bring goods into to shop a country without paying taxes. 8. Kidnapping Taking somebody by and demanding money or conditions to free that person 9. Mugging To take something by force from someone, often in the street 10. Fraud To deceive or cheat someone to get money 11. Manslaughter Killing someone by accident through a careless or dangerous act 12. Shoplifting To steal things while pretending to shop

4 Crime Sentence Vocabulary Community Service: You have to devote a period (e. g., 100 hours) of unpaid work in hospitals/old people s homes. Fines: You pay money to the court. Probation: You have to stay out of trouble. Once a week you visit a probation officer, who asks about your behavior. Suspended Prison Sentence: You don t go to prison immediately, e.g., a six-month sentence suspended for one year means if you behave well for one year, you are free. If you do something wrong, you go to prison for six months. Prison: You go for a fixed period (ranging from a very short period to life). Mystery Starters I didn t mean to kill her. The air turned black all around me. Icy fingers gripped my arm in the darkness. Wandering through the graveyard, I felt like something was watching me. The eyes in the painting followed him down the corridor. A shrill cry echoed in the mist. Icy wind slashed at his face and the rain danced its evil dance upon his head as he tried to get his bearings on the isolated beach. Footsteps slowly creaked on every step of the stairs. The bedroom door handle turned slowly. Death lurked in every doorway with faces from the past at one dark window. My hair stood on end; a shiver raced down my spine, and a lump came to my throat. It was the man... The gravestones stood silently, row upon row like soldiers long forgotten, while a scream shattered the silence... It was there and then it had gone. Why would a rabbit be on my bathroom floor? Bleary-eyed, I went downstairs for breakfast, the house was empty, even the furniture had gone... The lights flickered and then went off, then the sirens started, it was coming. We knew it wouldn t be the last time... The date was 13th July, my 345th birthday. It would be my last... Three of us. We were the only ones left, the only ones to make it to the island. "What have you done?" the principal bellowed, all eyes now turned to me as he stood over the lifeless body on playground. Dad just sat and cried. He cried for three whole days. His face was blotchy and his eyes were red. Then one day he just stopped... The clock stopped, four minutes past twelve. It was time. The car screamed to a halt; four men wearing masks jumped out and ran into the nearest building. I looked around. The street was deserted except for me. Everything stopped. People stood like statues all around me, people in cars, men on bicycles, babies in prams all lifeless, frozen in time. I had never seen a ghost, but like philosophers say, there is a first time for everything. He opened the safe and it was empty. No one had the code. Who could have opened it? Grey and foreboding, the castle stood atop the hill looking down across the small town. In the topmost window of the highest tower stood a small boy called...

5 Am I in heaven? What happened to me? Closer and closer it came. It was getting bigger and bigger. Soon it filled the sky above. Was the moon falling? He wandered aimlessly through the house seeking any form of distraction to avoid the inevitable doom. Why did it feel like he was nearing the gallows? Peeking through the window, she felt her surprise turn to horror... I woke up with a start. Something was in my room. The wardrobe doors opened, and it came out of my wardrobe. "Witches don't exist!" My grandmother s words echoed around my head as the horrific visage turned at me through my bedroom window. Keeping watch at the side of the ship, George was tiring; his eyes weary from constantly searching the horizon. Were they also playing tricks on him? What was that waving from the rocks? The two coins in his pocket clinked together as he stumbled down the cold pavement, the holes in his shoes turning his feet into blocks of ice. His heart was warmed though in the knowledge that he was rich. The phone rang. "Hello," I said. "Hello." No one was there. I hung up. All the lights went out... Wrapped up warm against the icy fingers of dusk, the caretaker closed the cemetery gates. Who was that watching him? Hundreds of eyes peered at me through the darkness in the alley. How many cats where there? Why were they all here together? I heard the music as I entered the room, but all that was there was a violin on its back on the bare floorboards. I couldn't believe a word he told me any more. Why had he brought me here? Cold and wet, tired and exhausted, she made her way along the path through the forest. Everything stopped, everything a statue all around me. Frozen in time. "Help me! Help me!" came the call from behind the steel door. "Welcome to the future!" said the teacher as she removed the sheet with a flourish revealing what had been hidden beneath. My next door neighbors, the Johnsons, were all asleep in their coffins when I climbed the fence to get the ball. It moved Why was it moving? That should not have been moving---well, not on its own anyway. I hadn't seen the door before. It wasn't there last night. Cautiously, I turned the handle. She scratched his face from the photograph. She would get her revenge. It was a bright, frosty morning. The pavement glistened like a carpet of crushed diamonds in the early morning sunshine. As she walked along the street, the tiny dragon in her pocket stirred restlessly. Just after he died, he sat up. His metal mask shone in the sunlight. He prayed that this would not be his last day. I pushed open the old creaky door and looked inside. What a sight met my eyes! It was spring of 2020 when I first realized I could breathe under water. Research Questions 1. What kinds of crime are most common in your country? 2. What kinds of punishment are there? 3. Are there different punishments for children and for adults? 4. Is capital punishment used in your country?

6 Character Description Think about your main character and use the headings below to help you build up a description or picture of him or her. You can also use these headings for the other characters in your story. Character Name: Nickname: Age: Male/Female: Marital Status: Hair Color: Height: Distinguishing Features: (beard, tattoos, scars, special powers, and more): Strengths: Weaknesses: Parents: Sisters/brothers: Friends: Personal Qualities, Traits or Superpowers (e.g., : charming; lucky; sense of humor; wise, invisible, and more) Hobbies:

7 The Plot Using Cinderella Plot: Setting/Introduction/Opening Scene Plot: Climax Where and when does the story take place? How does the conflict unfold and how is the major Cinderella lives unhappily with her stepmother character affected? and her stepsisters. Now you try. The prince says he will marry the young lady the slipper fits. Now you try. Plot: Conflict/Problem What is the problem or conflict? An invitation to a ball at the palace arrives, and Cinderella is not invited. Now you try. Plot: Falling Action How is the conflict resolved? The stepsisters and Cinderella try on the slipper. Now you try. Plot: Rising Action What events lead to the conflict? The stepsisters prepare for and go to the ball. A fairy godmother appears and provides Cinderella with all she needs to go to the ball. Cinderella goes to the ball and dances with the prince. Cinderella leaves the ball in a rush at midnight and loses a slipper. Now you try. Conclusion/Solution/Denouement Cinderella and the prince marry and live happily ever after. Now you try.

8 Wow Words huge vast bulky massive Big enormous colossal mean wicked evil awful Bad dreadful prefer demand require wish Want desire yearn enjoy adore fancy Like appreciate splendid superb wonderful excellent Good marvellous ancient outdated stale mature Old prehistoric

9 Verbs with a Punch knock whack pound wallop thump collide crash bump Don t Just Walk... strolled swerved dived strutted darted stomped staggered browsed sauntered hurried raced rushed

10 How Did You Look? Viewed Glimpsed Focused Spotted Witnessed Glared Examined Spied Observed Peeped Peered Stared Adjectives to Wow With... dark unlit shady sunless gloomy somber bleak dismal black suspicious doubtful suspect unusual uncommon odd extraordinary peculiar cruel interesting exciting enchanting compelling old young delicate clear windy soothing effective sore tender kind soft hard warm safe wooden smooth hairy big wrinkly flaming burning creamy shadowy everlasting true light glare shine luminous sparkle glow radiant special exceptional extraordinary curious rare strange tall high lofty giant towering colossal fierce strong evil menacing savage wild cruel attractive convincing fascinating stimulating cold chilly freezing arctic raw numbing quick immediate fast slow leisurely gradual colorful clumsy energetic alive stunning fantastic tragic shocking pretty fierce vicious amazing

11 Adjectives for Characters Good Guy helpful saintly upright talented skillful worthy grateful gentle wise generous wholesome courageous honest thoughtful considerate gracious loving sympathetic fair obliging sincere trustworthy tolerant sensible truthful reasonable gorgeous clever Add more adjectives: Bad Guy brutish violent unhelpful rotten mean evil wicked vicious mischievous rude ferocious wild vile horrible selfish spiteful undisciplined sick destructive foul disobedient ghastly naughty shocking immoral devilish cruel vindictive nasty slanderous venomous savage rough aggressive hostile murderous Add more adjectives:

12 Choose a Power Verb When you replace a weak verb with a strong one, make sure it works in your sentence as words have their own shades of meaning, so check any word you replace and see if it makes sense. cry talk think run walk laugh eat watch dream see sleep say yell weep, shed tears, sob, blubber, snivel, mourn, lament, whimper, wail, howl, groan, bawl, plead, moan speak, converse, chat, reply, gossip, consult, discuss, reveal, confess, address, negotiate, lecture, rant, rave, mutter, chatter, utter, prattle, babble, rattle on reflect, consider, ponder, imagine, meditate, picture, contemplate, deem, recollect, recall, speculate, conceive, fancy, realize, surmise, rationalize, muse race, hurry, speed, hasten, dash, sprint, dart, zoom, scamper, scoot, scurry, bustle, rush, hustle, trot, scramble, flee, take flight, skedaddle, jog, glide, bolt stroll, promenade, wander, saunter, march, trudge, tramp, hike, parade, tread, pace, step, prance, amble, trek, waddle, cruise chuckle, giggle, roar, chortle, cackle, guffaw, snicker, titter gobble, devour, munch, snack, consume, swallow, dine, chew, feast, feed, nibble, gulp, wolf down, lunch, ingest look, stare, gaze, peep, ogle, observe, notice, attend, regard, survey, scrutinize, pore over, eye, note, examine, view, tend, oversee, patrol, guard daydream, fantasize, wish, hope, imagine, fancy, muse, desire discern, distinguish, spy, mark, mind, note, notice, observe, view, detect, glimpse, spot, witness nap, doze, drowse, rest, nod off, snooze, forty winks reply, converse, disclose, explain, inform, express, state, report, announce, mention, acknowledge, answer, declare, suggest shout, holler, scream, bellow, roar, howl, shriek, bawl, whoop, yowl

13 My Weekly Stash of Diamond Wow Words Monday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday

14 The three steps to good peer editing are: Peer Editing 1. Compliment the author. What are the things that you liked about the author s writing? 2. Make specific suggestions regarding the author s: Word choice Use of details Organization of events Sentence length Opening sentence (Does it grab your attention? How?) Variety of words to start sentences and paragraphs 3. Mark corrections on the writing piece Look for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes.

15 Word choice Did the author choose interesting words that help you paint a picture in your mind? Does the opening sentence grab the reader s attention? Using details (for example, details about what the characters do, feel, say, and think and realistic dialogue, using comparison - like and as) Organization Can you understand what the author is trying to say? Are the events in a logical sequence? Sentences Is there a mix of sentence lengths or are some sentences too long? Do sentences start with different words or do many sentences start the same way? Theme/Topic Does the author stick to the topic/story line or talk about other things that don t really fit with the plot?

16 Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide editing method. Select a paragraph or paragraphs from the story and add specific vocabulary to give writing more variety. Select a paragraph or paragraphs from story and use ++ and method to improve writing. + Add a metaphor or simile (e.g., The violin sounded like a rusty gate swinging on its hinges. ) + Add proper nouns (e.g., McCabe s Pharmacy instead of shop) Subtract three square words, such as stuff, things, nice, pretty and good, and replace them with Wow words. Subtract all unnecessary words and repetitious ideas x Multiply the number of vibrant verbs, such as screamed, ripped and scoffed Divide the writing into paragraphs Praise Question Polish Peer Editing Technique. The PQP technique requires a group of students (usually two to five per group) to take turns reading each others drafts aloud as the other students follow along with photocopies of the story. This oral reading helps the writer/student to hear the piece in another voice and to independently identify possible changes (Neubert and McNelis, 1986). The other students then react to the piece by writing comments on the PQP form (see below). Examples of comments that are too vague and provide little or no specific direction for revision: Try to revise the entire second page or I liked this piece or Describe Anna better. Instead: I still can t get a picture of Anna. What kind of clothes does she wear?

17 PQP: Praise Question - Polish Peer Review Form Use this form to give feedback to the writer. Writer's Name: Story Title: Praise Questions What is good about the writing? What should not be changed? Why is it good? Question As a reader, what do you not understand? Polish What specific suggestions for improvement can you make?

18 Reflection on Writing Name: Date: 1. When I look back at the work I have done I feel: Terrific OK Needs Work 2. I have improved at writing sentences: using capitals and punctuation spelling telling a story telling my ideas about something 3. I am really proud of Next time I write I will...

19 I m a Writer Name: Date: Write about yourself as a writer. 1. My favorite things to write about are 2. I can do my best writing when I 3. The things I find difficult to do when I write are

20 4. I can tell I have got better at writing because 5. I think I need to improve my writing by 6. If I could give some advice to younger writers about what to do to be a good writer, I would say