OPENINGS, MIDDLES & ENDINGS Your writing style, choice of text type and subject-matter will be up to the individual; just make sure that whatever you do, it does the things that must be done. PURPOSE IMAGINATIVE TEXTS To entertain a reader To convey a message To inform To be engaging to read. PERSUASIVE TEXTS To persuade an audience to accept our idea/s about something and/or to do something To inform To engage the targeted audience INTERPRETIVE TEXTS To help a reader to understand a person, event, issue or concept in the same way as the writer. It must be subjective (“I”) It must be non-fiction What does it mean to be ‘engaged’ as a reader? o we care about the focal character because we share some experiences with them, or we feel empathy for them, or we can relate to them because they have some complexity; o we can insert ourselves imaginatively into the story, often through setting; o we become curious about how the focal character will develop across the story. What is a target audience? o A specific group of people that have shared values, attitudes, practices & beliefs. o The more specific your target audience, the more accurately you can appeal to them. What does it mean to ‘interpret’ something or someone? It means that you decide what something means to you. o When you interpret a person, you decide whether you think they are worthy of admiration, censure, pity or loyalty; or you might see them as dangerous or inspirational. o When you interpret an event, you decide how important it was and for whom. o When you interpret an issue, you decide what that issue means to you, or to others; how important or long-lasting it is; and which aspects are pertinent to it WHAT MUST BE ACHIEVED IN THE OPENING? An opening must establish: A focal character – their personality, and whether they represent a social group Setting – time, place, atmosphere Theme – the subject you want to explore Context – Era (if relevant) and Status Quo (the focal character’s power within their context) An opening must establish: Persona – the person speaking or writing, and what their credentials are that give them the right to speak on this topic Audience – their values, attitudes, etc. Context – the circumstances under which you are brought together (it must be credible) Problem (Thesis)– what does the audience need to be convinced about? An opening must: Reveal the writer – their personality, their values, their life experiences as well as their opinions Clearly identify the topic (person, event, issue or concept) Have a clear theme or point of curiosity (ie, you must have something to say about the topic) Connect to a reader – by reminding them of something in their own lives so they can relate to the topic or issue. IN THE MIDDLE? In the middle of an imaginative text, the following must be present: In the middle of a persuasive text, the following must be present: Character development (ie, the character must change in some way across the course of the story, by gaining, losing or learning something) through: ✩ About 3 Points of Argument that together will convince the audience to accept the speaker’s thesis. ✩ The points must connect the audience to the issue using techniques for Pathos (emotions), Logos (reasoning) and Ethos (ethics). In the middle of an interpretive text, the following must be present: ✩ About 3 points relevant to the topic to explain or justify your interpretation, for example, this is my interpretation of books: (i) Books are pleasurable (they are my friends / sales percentages in Australia show that they give other people enjoyment too) (ii) Books are important (they educate people in significant ways / they validate people by making them ‘visible’ to others) (iii) Books are comforting (they give me freedom from the daily grind / they saved me from primary school bullying) ✩ An inciting incident, that interrupts the normal life of the focal character. (In terms of plot, this is the Point of Complication); ✩ Some consequence of that incident or challenges to be overcome. (In terms of plot, this is the Rising Tension part of the narrative); ✩ The character has to make a choice about what they will do next. (In plot terms, this is the climax) Your writing style, choice of text type and subject-matter will be up to the individual; just make sure that whatever you do, it does the things that must be done. IMAGINATIVE TEXTS PERSUASIVE TEXTS INTERPRETIVE TEXTS OR ✩ 3 parts to the discussion. They might be: - past / present / future (eg, When X was a child… / Now as an adult he is … / In the future we can expect…); or - present / past / future (eg, You may know X as a successful… / He came from humble beginnings / In the future he will probably…) AT THE END? FORMS OF TEXTS THAT CAN BE USED FOR THESE PURPOSES At the end the reader needs to understand why the change in the focal character is significant (how it is better or worse for them). In terms of plot, the resolution does not have to be spelled out, but it should be able to be guessed at. Unless it is important for the story that what happens after the climax is unguessable. That kind of ending resonates with the reader, making them continue to think about the issues raised and what they might do in the same circumstances. ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ Short stories Diary entries Personal letters Fable Play Film script Interviews Exchange of letters It must end with a clear conclusion about what must be done, or with a clear solution to the problem. Often, there is a call to action, giving the audience direction about what they should do next. ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ Speech Personal letter Letter of complaint Letter to the editor Advertisement Persuasive essay Feature article The ending must be satisfying to the reader. They can now ‘see’ things the way you see them. ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ ✐ Opinionative article Editorial Blog Podcast Autobiography / memoir Biography Personal letter Speech Script for film, play, radio
