Higher Writing Folio: Creative Writing 1
The Big Picture
• During this unit, I will:
• Become familiar with the necessary
features of a short story.
• Focus on setting, atmosphere,
characterisation, plot and language.
• Write a creative essay in a group.
• Write a creative essay for my writing folio
Learning Outcomes
I can:
• Discuss and create the structure,
characterisation and setting for a short story.
• Introduce the main theme of the text and
recognise the relevance this has to my own
and others’ experiences
• Be aware of aspects of the writer’s style and
other features appropriate to genre and use
relevant language to create a short story of
value.
Success Criteria
• We will work together to produce an
example of a short story creating the
setting, character and plot.
• Decide on and carefully interweave a
theme for our text.
• Be aware of genre.
• Consider narrative stance .
• Evoke atmosphere through careful use of
language.
• Use dialogue to suggest personality
What is a Short Story?
• The short story, said the sharp observer
Truman Capote, is “the most difficult
and disciplining form of prose writing”.
• It is easy to write; hard to write well.
What is a Short Story?
• What distinguishes a short story from
any other prose work is that it concerns
itself with ONE idea.
• All that makes up the short story is used
to convey that idea.
• The main characteristic of the short
story is its economy.
What is a Short Story?
• Nothing is wasted.
• Nothing is extra.
• Everything counts.
• Everything is cut down to the bare
essentials.
And so, everything is focused very
sharply on what the author wants to say,
to illustrate or depict.
What is a Short Story?
• The author’s focus on this main idea is
channelled through his……
 Language.
Setting.
Characterisation.
Atmosphere.
Basic Features of a Short
Story?
• a small number of characters
• a limited number of settings, perhaps,
only one
• a single, main incident
• one (main) theme
• limited use of dialogue
• Typical parts of the plot are:
• Exposition:
• 1) Set the scene – describe your character in a
place, doing something (looking out of the window,
walking, day-dreaming, working etc.)
• 2) Develop your character (appearance, actions,
what they say, how they say it, inner thoughts etc.
• and
• Introduce a theme (love, anger, conflict, war,
jealousy, relationships etc.)
Rising Action:
• 3) Your character encounters a problem.
• This should not be a very complicated problem. It
may involve a second character. It is important to
convey how the character thinks and feels about it
and how they deal with the problem.
Climax/Turning Point:
• 4) Turning point/Climax/Twist. The character should
show another surprising side to themselves or act in
a surprising way. There may be a surprising
revelation or twist.
Resolution:
• 5) You can either resolve the problem
or end with a cliff-hanger. If ending in
a cliff hanger this should not simply be
an abrupt end which might suggest
you can’t think what to write next!
Never end with ‘then he/she woke up.
. .it had all been a dream’.
PLOT
BEGINNING - describing setting,
character and the first event of the
plot
MIDDLE - the plot continues with different
events (turning points) happening
END - finally, the last events of the plot
will provide a resolution
PLOT
Turning Points
• A turning point is a change of direction
in the plot. It can be a change of
heart by a character, a confrontation
or an entry into the story of an event or
a character. The plot will change
because of this turning point.
PLOT
The Final Turning Point
• The conclusion, or final turning point is
when the plot is resolved. It may be a
final twist or an event that leads to a
happy ending, but it marks the
resolution of the plot.
PLOT
The Denouement
• The Denouement is how things are left.
It is the final scene. If the final turning
point is the wedding then the
denouement might be the wedding
party: it is where everything is resolved.
• → some short stories end with a cliffhanger in which case there is no
resolution and denouement
PLOT
End → Beginning → Middle
• You start at the end and then use
flashback to tell the story from the
beginning
PLOT
End(1) →Beginning → Middle → End(2)
• You start near the end, use flashback
to tell the story from the beginning up
to from where you started and then
continue until the
resolution/denouement.
PLOT
Middle → Beginning → End
• You start in the middle, use flashback
to tell about the beginning, then move
to the end. This is often done.
PLOT
Beginning↔End (1) → Beginning↔End (2)
→ Middle↔End (3) Middle↔End (4)
• Flashbacks are used to show endings
the characters have not yet reached
• → turning points can be used in all
areas of the story to change the
direction of the plot
PLOT
• A good story has a solid structure. You may
take a very creative approach to structure
or you may keep it simple. If your approach
to structure is confusing and loses your
reader then there would seem to be little
point in structuring it that way. Ultimately, a
creative structure can enhance admiration
for your storytelling abilities but you still need
the writing, the language and feeling that
creates a well written story.
•The plot is what happens in a
story and what the characters
do.
•There are said to be only a few
basic plots in all literature and
films.
Plot Line 1
Boy meets girl
A character falls in love with someone
who may or may not return these
feelings. Obstacles to happiness may or
may not be overcome.
Examples: Romeo and Juliette; West
Side Story; Silver G Mackay Brown.
Plot Line 2
The Quest
A journey in search of treasure or
happiness, or to discover the truth.
Examples: The Third Man; Lord of the
Rings; the film The Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Plot Line 3
Entry into a new world.
Chance brings a character into a new
world in which challenges and dangers
must be overcome.
Examples: Robinson Crusoe; The Beach;
Lord of the Flies
Plot Line 4
Rags to riches (or the ugly duckling).
An ordinary or downtrodden person wins
recognition or wealth.
Examples: Cinderella; Oliver Twist;
Great Expectations; My Fair Lady (film);
Wanted (short story)
Plot Line 5
Spider and Fly.
An innocent person is lured into a trap.
Examples: The Landlady (Roald Dahl);
Felicia’s Journey (William Trevor)
Plot Line 6
Nemesis.
A mistake or bad deed has
consequences; foolishness is exposed
and punished.
Examples: Emma (Jane Austen); The
Mayor of Casterbridge (Thomas Hardy);
Crime and Punishment (Fyador
Dostoevsky
Plot Line 7
Overcoming the monster.
A hero or heroine confronts a monster,
and defeats it against the odds. The
monster might be metaphorical, such as
a bully. A variant is David and Goliath
where the victor is much smaller.
Examples: Frankenstein; Dracula; (the
film) Jaws.
Plot Line 8
• Tit for tat.
A character achieves a fitting revenge.
Examples: The Count of Monte Cristo
(Alexander Dumas)
Main Point (Theme)
• A short story should have a clear
theme: an underlying idea that is
developed through the plot. Your story
will be more effective if it is something
you feel strongly about.
Main Point (Theme)
Some common themes are:
• Love
(Tip: emotions and
• Money
feelings can also
provide themes for a
• Jealousy
short story)
• Corruption
• Adolescence
• Social change
• The generation gap