Planning an effective piece of writing.

- Lynda Zahariev

Why plan? Why not just start writing?

An effective piece of writing establishes a single focus and sustains that focus throughout the piece. Just as a photographer needs to focus on a particular subject to produce a clear picture, a writer needs to focus on a single topic or main idea to produce an effective piece of writing. But finding a focus means more than just knowing what to photograph or write about. Good photographers also think about what they want their photograph to communicate. This affects their decisions about how to frame their subject in the shot, and whether to zoom in or not. Similarly writers must think about what they want to communicate. For example: a newspaper reporter needs an angle for his story, a perspective from which to tell his story.

How do we go about planning an effective piece of writing?

Story

Discussion

Explanation

Persuasion

Instructions

Recount

Report

There are different types of writing genre.

Story Elements

Although there are different types of fiction stories they all have the same elements

How to plan a story

Characters

When you are thinking about a character you could use the following ideas.

Once you have an idea you should build on it by…

Use details to suggest what a character is like, e.g. He paused and stared at his reflection. Everyone said that he looked like his mother’s side of the family. (This suggests that his mother is important to him; that he misses her)Describe them by using a list, e.g. The librarian had curly brown hair, little round glasses and a turned up nose.Use well chosen adjectives and similes, e.g. They looked like crows picking at the sand, caught in the wind’s teeth.Mention a distinctive feature, e.g. She wore a gold ring above her left eyebrow.

Show how they feel through what they say.

Reflect their personality/feelings, e.g. “Leave me alone!”Use expressions, powerful verbs and adverbs e.g. “There! Now you look like a real pirate,” she laughed, as she gave him the earrings.Add in a supporting action e.g. “We'll need an axe,” said John Cabot, clapping his old friend on the shoulder.Avoid a string of dialogue.

Show how they feel by what they do.

Reflect the character’s feelings, e.g. In the cold dark of the cave he whispered ‘goodnight’ and crept back under his tarpaulin.Make sure different characters behave in different ways.Use powerful verbs and adverbs, especially for movement (amble, shuffle, dash) and looking (peer, glance, stare, glare).

Setting

When you are thinking about a setting you need to remember that it must match the type of story you are going to write. It might be helpful to make a list of possible

settings and then make the best choice.

Once you have an idea you should try to…

Picture it :use labelled photos and pictures to help you.Draw it: Draw a landscape or map of your story settingSense it: Close your eyes and imagine the setting. What can you hear, smell, see and feel?Film it: Imagine you are looking through a camera from different angles at your settingNow you should write it!

Choose an interesting name for your setting.Think about details like the time of day and the weather.Show the setting through the main character’s eyes e.g. Zak could see a bright speck in the sky which grew bigger and bigger. What could it be? Use unexpected detail as a ‘hook’ e.g. It was then he noticed it. Something had been crawling in the fine, red dust beneath the largest tower. Zak stooped down and looked at the marks. They were unlike anything he had seen before.Change the setting to create atmosphere e.g. the path grew darker……

Have you used…

Powerful verbs and adjectives

Similes

Metaphors.

Personification

Lists?

Before you plan your story, it can be helpful to have a story pattern for your writing. Here are some suggestions

Overcoming a problemQuest/JourneyConquer the monsterWarningCharacter flawLost/foundSuspense

WishingCatastropheMagicalStories with a moralChanging (sad – happy, poor – rich, weak over strong, good over evilTraditional Pattern

Jotting down ideas can help you plan your story. Your plot should be simple and drive towards the ends Here are some ideas to help with your story planning.

Flowchart: for planning a play or a story that has a set number of scenes/paragraphs.Timelines: good for planning in chronological order.Storyboards: helps you to visualise each scene.Story picture maps: good for creating the setting and plot together in a visual way.Story mountain: Use a story mountain to build excitement and interest into your storyline.

This method is really helpful when you have a set number of scenes or paragraphs and can really assist you when planning a play. You use a circle for each scene or

paragraph, like this:

This is another method of visualising your story that some people find helpful. The next slide shows a very famous story for young children as a story picture map. This method can work for all types of stories but is particularly good if you are using an unusual setting; like in a science fiction or fantasy story. They can be drawn on an

actual map base or as a pictorial flow chart.

Plan the story of

Cinderella

Instructions

Instructions tell us how to do or make something. They are written for someone who needs to know how to do or make

something.

All non-fiction text types cover have the same five key issues to look at. These are:

AudiencePurposeExamplesTypical structureTypical language features

The instructions writing skeleton looks like this.

Preparation: before take off

Procedures for during take off What to do in an

emergency

It is used for listing facts in a clear and concise way.

In some cases (e.g. a set of school rules) the instructions do not have to be in chronological order.

There are lots of different types of instructions.

A recipeAn instruction poster (e.g. instructions on how to make a computer)An instruction leaflet (e.g. how to make something or safety procedures)Instructions for a gameMap directionsThese are ones that do not to be in order:A list of school rules or guidelinesA poster showing general advice on an issue (e.g. water safety)

Let’s look at the five key areas of instructions

We have to look at how to organise the instructions and what language features we need to use.

Write a title that sets out the purpose for the instructions (e.g. Safety instructions)If relevant, write an opening sentence or statement directed at the reader (e.g. follow these instructions to ensure safety)Include lists of equipment or ingredients if neededWrite the instructions as a sequence of stepsDraw diagrams to help explain things clearlyWrite an ending sentence directed at the reader (e.g. Enjoy your flight)

Organisation

Language

Use imperative verbs (e.g. Put seats into the upright position)Use the present tense or third person for instructions Use some time connectives (e.g. first, next)Use accurate descriptions in order to make the instructions clear (e.g. Fold the smaller piece of paper in half)Use technical language related to the subject (emergency exit, aisle)Where relevant extend the instruction to provide extra advice and explanation (e.g. Insert the metal tab into the buckle)

State your purpose

Write clear instructions using relevant language

Direct your ending to the reader

State your purpose

Write clear instructions using relevant language

Direct your ending to the reader

How to make a cup of tea.

Writing Persuasion

Persuasive writing is for arguing a case or point of view and is intended for anyone who may be interested in the subject but may hold a different point of view.

There are lots of different types of persuasive writing.

An advertisementA poster or flierA book ‘blurb’A newspaper or magazine articleA leaflet; e.g. from people who want to stop whale huntingA letter; e.g. from someone trying to persuade somebody else to do something

Write an eye-catching title that says what you are writing about (e.g. Protect the Dolphin before it is too late)Write an introduction that states the point of view to be arguedWrite your points in paragraphs starting with topic sentences. These signal the argument to be made in that paragraph. Think about what your opponents might argue and include a counter argument; either in each paragraph or at the endWrite an ending that re-states your point of view.

Weasel Words

Helps, supports, is useful (friendly, but no real value added)Better, improved, gains (does not say how much)Acts, works, effective, efficient (action, but no quantitative value)Seems, appears, looks, is like (gives impression, not real change)Many, most, virtually, almost all ('lots' but no real quantity)Up to, from, at least, as many as (talk about the best case)

Zokko toothpaste combats oral bacteria. (combats, but does not necessarily win)

I could come with you. (on the other hand, I might not)

Books from as little as... (best case description)

Let’s look at the persuasive writing skeleton

Rhetorical questions

Should children wear school uniform.

Recounts

All non-fiction text types cover have the same five key issues to look at. These are:

St. John’s Sunday School group travelled

to Israel

They returned home safely

Introduction

Have a go:

Recount your journey to school from the minute you woke up.