What tips can a teacher give a beginning writing student on how to make a short story?”
Writing is often students’ least favourite activity. They may find it hard and time-consuming (even in their own language) and may fear getting back a page covered in red ink. But writing can be motivating and enjoyable. Try these activities and change your students’ perception of writing. * The Writing Half Hour * From a story to a letter * Real Communication The Writing Half Hour Activity Once a week, introduce a writing half hour when students are not allowed to talk and can communicate only in writing. It can make a welcome break in noisy classes. Stages 1. Bring in lots of scrap paper and distribute it to your students. Make sure that every student has several bits of paper. 2. Explain that: * for the next 30 minutes students are not allowed to talk but can only write * they can communicate with anyone in the classroom and communicate about anything (within reason) * the purpose of the activity is to give students confidence and practice in writing * the things that they write wil
If you are an aspiring professional writer, the short story is the perfect medium. While writing a novel is a Herculean task, just about anybody can craft and, most importantly, finish, a short story. That doesn’t mean that short stories are easy to write, though, and it certainly doesn’t mean that they aren’t as artistic and valuable as novels. With practice, patience, and a passion for writing, they can be every bit as moving and memorable as their much longer cousins. 1. Read plenty of short stories. Nothing can help you “learn” how to write a good short story better than reading good short stories. Take note of the style and how they have used the small amount of words to their advantage. Choose authors that you enjoy, and also choose some of the “classics.” Pay attention to how the authors develop their characters, write dialogue, and structure their plots. 2. 2 Gather ideas for your story. Inspiration can strike at any time, so carry a notepad with you wherever you go so that you
