Crafting Sessions for Writers

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Crafting Sessions for Writers
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Narrative Elements

• Character
• Static and Dynamic (flat and round)
• Methods for introducing character exposition,
  action, dialogue
•  

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Setting Time flashbacks, fast-forward,
manipulating time through variations in
conventions, sentence structures, word
choice   Place macro, micro, zoom in, zoom
out  
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Narration First (present and past) Third
(limited and full omniscience, present or
past) Inanimate narration (objects narrate
the piece)
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Conflict Internal or external Man vs. man,
man vs. nature, man vs. himself
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Sequence of Events Leads and endings Rising
action and denouement Climax Circular
plots Parallel plots Foreshadowing
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Stance Efferent or aesthetic Sympathetic or
antagonistic Global or focal
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Text Structure

• Conventions
• Manipulating punctuation
• for particular content purposes

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Word level Powerful nouns and verbs rather than
adjectives and adverbs to excess in descriptive
writing Repetition of words to achieve
particular effect that aligns with text
content Word choice and usage to achieve
particular effect that aligns with text content
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Sentence level Length and variety of sentences
manipulating both to align with text
content Using repetitive sentence patterns to
achieve an effect aligned with content
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Text level Skillful use of beginning, middle and
end Drafting compelling leads and endings
Manipulating pacing of plot Voice writing in
a way that permits the reader to hear the
writers voice and his/her individuality as a
writer Writing to particular audiences and for
particular purposes
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Topic Choice

• Mining a writers notebook for topics
• Observing the world for topics
• Taking inspiration from mentor texts
• Following your passions
• Using shared experiences
• Prompts (no more than 20 30 of the time)
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Longer Units of Study

• Genre Study

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Biography Historical fiction Textbooks/Referen
ce Text Persuasion

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Realistic fiction Poetry Memoir/Autobiography
Science fiction Mystery Journalism
Opinion/Editorial
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TestsExpository text (narrative or
didactic)Picture BookPhoto essay
Promotional Materials and Advertising Fantasy

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Author Study

• Becoming an apprentice
• to authors
• we admire, finding mentor writers
• Replicating writers tools to align with
  content/purpose/audience

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Writing Inquiry

• Reading about writing (advice to writers)
• Reading like a writer noticing the moves a
  writer makes
• Using writing notebooks
• Exploring ways to push the quality of your
  writing further

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Using writing in the classroom community to
enhance engagement, purposeful writing and
understanding of the literacy community in the
classroom Writing for social change