A Narrative Journey

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J.R.R. TolkienThe Teller of Tales

• A Narrative Journey

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Once a Footpad, Always a Footpad

• Eves butterfly tree analogy
• Davids easy manner and Charlies elvish
• Jennifers and Rileys technology
• Kevins organization and Tonys food
• Wendys and Christines practical lessons
• Jeanneans scope and sequence
• Kims and Tracis ambition
• Fawns stamina and Karens energy
• Traceys sense of humor

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Writing is a Journey

• Which way should we go?

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Choose Well
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Life is a Story

• Which way should we write?
• There and Back Again?
• Been There, Done That
• Me, a Mental Hobbit!

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GANDALFS CHOICE
ARAGORNS CHOICE
FRODOS CHOICE
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Choose Your OWN Adventure!
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• The day has come at last, Aragorn says to you
  at Amon Hen the day of choice which we have
  long delayed. What shall now become of our
  Company that has travelled so far in fellowship?
  Shall we turn west with Boromir and go to the
  wars of Gondor or turn east to the Fear and
  Shadow or shall we break our fellowship?
• If you turn west If you cant choose

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• I know that haste is needed, yet I cannot
  choose. The burden is heavylet me be alone!
• Presently you get up and walk awayyou walk
  toward the trees at the foot of Amon Hen. A
  strange feeling comes to you that something is
  behind you.
• If you turn around If you run

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• All that you see, to your surprise, is Boromir,
  and his face is smiling and kind. I was afraid
  for you, Frodo, he says, coming forward. Are
  you sure that you do not suffer needlessly? he
  said. I wish to help youThe RingCould I not
  have a sight of it again? You step quickly
  away, and eye with alarm the tall Man. Lend me
  the Ring! Give it to me!
• If you put on the Ring If you give it to him

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• Miserable trickster! Boromir shouted. Let me
  get my hands on you!
• At first you can see little. You seem to be in a
  world of mist in which there are only shadows
  the Ring is upon you. You are sitting upon the
  Seat of Seeing. And suddenly you feel the Eye.
  You hear yourself crying out Never, never! Then
  there comes to your mind another thought Take it
  off!
• If you take off the ring If you try to run

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• You take the Ring off your finger. A great
  weariness is on you, but your will is firm and
  your heart lighter. You speak aloud to yourself.
  I will do not what I mustI will go alone. At
  once. Slowly you draw out the Ring and put it
  on once more. You vanish and pass down the hill,
  less than a rustle of the wind.
• If you swim If you go by boat...

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• You hear calls of Frodo! Frodo! but you do not
  respond. You hustle quickly to the elf-boat,
  untie it, jump in and cast off with your paddle.
  Just as your boat moves away from the shore you
  hear, Coming, Mr. Frodo! Coming! Sam flings
  himself from the bank. He misses it by a yard.
  Gurgling he goes under.
• If you let Sam sink If you save Sam
• like a stone

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• You are persuaded that Boromirs cause is the
  most immediate need. You decide to turn west,
  head to Minas Tirith, and help Boromir fend of
  the latest threat of orcs. Aragorn nods in stoic
  acceptance of your decision, but your heart
  misgives. You laden yourself with supplies and
  begin the march down through the Entwash to avoid
  being seen on the river. Unfortunately the orcs
  are also on the west bank searching for you.
  Their arrows outnumber your swords. You scatter
  in all directions. You put on the Ring
• and head for a boat.

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• You dont wait to find out who or what is
  following you. You break into a panicked run
  toward the camp. As you reach the Company,
  Aragorn rises and draws his sword. Arrows fly
  past you on all sides. You and the other hobbits
  scatter, trying to hide, but it is no use. A
  black arrow strikes you in the back, you tumble
  into the water, and your last thought is that
  Isildur must have felt what you are feeling now,
  in his last moments.
• THE END

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• You are frightened, but you have grown to trust
  this bold warrior of Gondor. And his cause seems
  to be such a noble one. You are tired of the
  Ring, tired of the burden, tired of the ache you
  constantly feel in the shoulder which the
  Ringwraith pierced.
• You hand him the Ring. He smiles, and thanks
  you, calling you a wise halfling. Suddenly he
  puts the ring on and is gone. You return to camp
  to find that a boat is gone, and you realize what
  you have done.
• THE END

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• You feel that this voice must be some kind of
  trick of Sauron and his ever-seeing Eye. You
  jump down from your seat, but you cannot shake
  the impression that you are being followed. You
  grow dizzy and weak. Your body continues to
  move, but your mind wanders. You remember the
  Eye, searching your thoughts. As you run, you
  begin to feel compelled to cross the river, to
  take the ring to him. Suddenly you slip on the
  bank and tumble into the water. You cannot swim
  well, and your body has given up the fight.
• THE END

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• With the Ring on your finger you feel different,
  almost as if you could walk on water. You decide
  that taking a boat would only cause the others to
  follow you. You decide to swim across the river,
  even though you have very little experience with
  the water. You slide into the river and begin to
  paddle. The current is far too strong for you.
  You try to call for help, but your cries are
  drowned by the roar of the falls, the Falls of
  Rauros. You and the hopes of Middle Earth are
  swept away.
• THE END

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• Sauron has apparently possessed you, both body
  and soul. As you see Sam slipping beneath the
  surface, the same voice you heard on the Seat of
  Seeing speaks to you saying, Grab his hand, you
  fool!
• You reach out and grab for Sam beneath the water.

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• You save Sam, cross the Emyn Muil, meet up with
  Gollum, travel through the Dead Marshes and
  Mordor, follow him until he leaves you for dead
  in Shelobs lair, escape from Cirith Ungol, climb
  the slopes of Mt. Doom, and prepare to destroy
  the Ring and complete your Quest.
• Here is where your free will ends. You speak
  with a clear voice, I have come, but I do not
  choose now to do what I came to do.
• But Gollum snacks on your finger and the deed is
  done. The world is saved.
• THE END

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Verses for the King
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite
verses for the king my tongue is the pen of a
skillful writer. Psalm 451

• Quarter 1 George Macdonald
• (Expression/Description)
• Quarter 2 J.R.R. Tolkien
• (Narration)
• Quarter 3 C.S. Lewis
• (Exposition)
• Quarter 4 G.K. Chesterton
• (Persuasion)

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The Writers Choice

• Writing Skills
• Diction
• Grammar, Usage, Mechanics
• Online Practice Links

• Narration
• Models
• Journaling
• Process Writing

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Organization

• 2 Kinds of Models
• Influences
• Tolkiens Own Writing
• 2 Types of Writing
• Journaling
• Guided Practice

• 7 Virtues
• 4 Classical Virtues
• 3 Christian Virtues
• 3 Stages
• Storytelling Tradition
• Setting the Stage
• Characterization and Meaning

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Technology

• Classroom Computers
• Management Software
• EDLINEwww.edline.net
• Online Textbook

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Life Preparation

• Group Learning
• Practical Application
• Creative Exploration

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College Preparation

• Study Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Writing Skills
• Research Skills

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Character Exploration

• Supporting with a Structure of Grace
• Promoting Confident Communication
• Mentoring for Future Decisions of Faith