Prewriting Phase
Prewriting Phase
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Plan effectively, where appropriate, using a variety of strategies to find such as: mind mapping / information literacy
Plan effectively, where appropriate, using a variety of strategies to find such as: mind mapping / information literacy
Generating Ideas
Generating Ideas
- Set a timer for 3 minutes and make a list of every idea you can think of—with no erasing or crossing ideas out!
- When finished, look over your list and circle three ideas that would be the most fun or appealing to write about.
Make Lists
Make Lists
This is an effective brainstorming method for writing short reports about familiar topics. It’s also a great way to brainstorm about a personal experience.
- On a large sheet of paper (or on a whiteboard), write the main topic.
- Think of as many ideas as possible that relate to this topic. List all your ideas, even those that don’t really fit.
Make a Mindmap or Idea Cloud
Make a Mindmap or Idea Cloud
Mindmaps are especially effective with spatial and visual learners.
- In the centre of the whiteboard or paper, draw a circle and write the topic inside.
- For the main points, draw several lines that radiate out, adding a circle to the end of each line.
- Ask who, what, when, where, and why questions to prompt your thinking. As you come up with ideas, write main points in the circles.
- Subpoints can be written on additional lines that connect to your related main points.
Use Graphic Organisers
Use Graphic Organisers
Graphic organisers such as the one above are worksheets that help you sort ideas and plan stories or report details.
Traditional graphic organisers come in grids, charts, or idea clouds. But they can also take on more fanciful shapes, such as hamburgers or robots.
Put It Into Practice - Writing about a Monster
Put It Into Practice - Writing about a Monster
Beginning
Beginning
Ask questions. For your story it's good to ask yourself questions, such as: What funny situations might a monster find himself in? Could he get stuck in an elevator? Could he have trouble learning to skateboard? Or maybe he looks silly—a pink monster who wants to be scary but only ends up making people laugh.
After tossing ideas around, you might say: OK. I’ve decided that Mike the Monster has bad breath. Why is having bad breath a problem? For the beginning of the story, let’s make a list of funny things that could happen because of his bad breath.
As you come up with possibilities, jot words and phrases on your whiteboard/paper.
- no one likes Mike
- green cloud when he talks
- grass withers and dies
- food spoils
- paint peels
- pets faint
- people’s hair falls out
Middle
Middle
Keep thinking about how to include humorous elements such as ridiculous situations and silly solutions.
Mike is a mess! What do you suppose would be some ways he could try to solve his breath problem?
- eat mints
- gargle with mouthwash
- chew on parsley
- wear a surgical mask
- wear an astronaut helmet
What funny or ridiculous things could happen as he tries these different solutions?
- his breath gets worse!
- astronaut helmet explodes
- buildings fall down
- forest catches fire
- cars melt
Brainstorming is about throwing out ideas. Don’t worry whether an idea is good or bad; just keep talking/thinking about funny situations that could happen.
Ending
Ending
How do you want the story to end? What solves the problem?
- police chase Mike to city dump
- lost and hungry—eats muddy shoe, rotten fish, moldy cheese, old tires
- suddenly, flowers start to grow
- people’s hair grows back
- rainbow appears in sky
- town people welcome Mike
- everyone saves their garbage for him to keep his breath sweet
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