6.5.1 Creative Writing

• Elements of narrative: character, setting, plot, conflict
• Point of view and narrative voice
• Showing rather than telling
• Dialogue in narrative
• Openings and endings

• plan a narrative with character, setting and conflict
• select an appropriate point of view
• show rather than tell in descriptive writing
• use dialogue to develop character and advance the story

“What makes a reader want to know what happens next?”

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1. Building a narrative
   40 min · 2 practice tasks · quiz
   The parts of a story, and the one that makes a reader keep going.
2. Showing, not telling
   40 min · 2 practice tasks · quiz
   Letting a reader conclude for themselves, and using dialogue that does work.
3. Openings and endings
   40 min · 2 practice tasks · quiz
   Starting after the boring part, and ending because the character did something.
4. Setting and atmosphere
   40 min · 2 practice tasks · quiz
   Place as something the character has to deal with, not a paragraph you paste at the top.
5. Drafting a short story
   40 min · 2 practice tasks · quiz
   One sitting to plan, one to draft, and a short checklist before anyone else reads it.