Writing Prompt: Banned Book Week

Today’s banned/challenged book: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Why was this book banned in 1931?

ANSWER: [Highlight to SEE]

In 1931, banned by the Governor of Hunan Province in China on the grounds that:

"Animals should not use human language, and it was disastrous to put animals and human beings on the same level."

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: Banned Book Week

Today’s Banned/Challenged Book: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Why was this book banned or challenged?

Answer: [Highlight to see]

Challenged because of its “ungodly” influence and “for depicting women in strong leadership roles.” In 1957, the director of the Detroit Public Library banned it for having “no value for children today”, for supporting “negativism”, and for “bringing children’s minds  to a cowardly level.”

Now, Start Scribbling!

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

What are the 5 Elements of a GOOD Story

What are the 5 things you need to tell a good story? (Hint: think about the Flocabulary Video we watched in class)

Answer:  Watch the video

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Poll:. What do you think all these books have in common?

1. Captain Underpants series
2. A Wrinkle in Time
3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
4. The Harry Potter series
5. The Higher Power of Lucky
6. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
7. In the Night Kitchen
8. Bridge to Terabithia
9. The Stupids series
10. The Bluest Eye

Answer [Highlight to SEE]: They are all censored or challenged books.

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Banned Book Week: September 22-28, 2013

Before responding to the prompt, please view the video.

Writing Prompt:  Do you think banning books is a good idea or a bad idea?  Why?  Your answer must be written in complete sentences.  A minimum of five sentences is requried.

Happy Banned Books Week Reading!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the power of the Written Word!

Writing Prompt: 8 Ways Characterc is Revealed

What are the eight (8) ways character is revealed?

Answer:  Click HERE



More explanation: Click Here and Here

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!

Short Story Elements

Lesson Adapted from Film English

The lesson is designed around an Oscar-winning short film called The Man Who Planted Trees and the subjects of short stories and the meaning of life. Students read a short story, watch short video about writing a short story, write a short story, watch a short film, and speak about the meaning of life. The lesson should be done over 2 90 minute classes.-Film English

Language level: Upper Intermediate– Advanced (C1)

Learner type: Teens and adults

Time: 2 90 minute classes/May Vary depending on adaptation

Activity: Reading a short story, watching short video about writing a short story, writing a short story, watching a short film, and speaking

Topic: Short stories and the meaning of life

Language: Language related to elements of a short story

Materials: Short story, video and short film

Downloadable materials: the man who planted trees lesson instructions the 5 elements of a short story how to write a great short story the man who planted trees short story the man who planted trees discussion questions-Film English

Lesson 1

Step 1

Ask students the following question:

Have you ever read any short stories?

Can you remember the plot of any short stories?

What makes a good short story?


Step 2

Write the following words on the board:

Character

Setting

Plot

Conflict

Theme

Tell your students that these are generally considered the 5 essential elements of a short story. Put your students in pairs and ask them to discuss what each of the 5 elements means. Give them 5 minutes to discuss the 5 elements and then get feedback.

Step 3

Give students the 5 Elements of a Short Story handout and ask them to read it and then compare their answers with the information in the article.

The 5 Elements of a Short Story

Step 4

Ask your students the following question:

How can you write a great short story?

Put them into small groups and give them 5 minutes to come up with advice for writing a great short story.

Step 5

Tell your students they are going to watch a short video in which the writer Kurt Vonnegut gives 8 tips on how to write a short story. Ask students to watch the film and then try to discuss the advice he gives.

How to Write a Great Short Story

For advanced students you can read the short story The Man Who Planted Trees. Tell them they will need to use a dictionary as there is a lot of difficult vocabulary.

AUDIO LINK for The Man Who Planted Trees

If you use The Man Who Planted Trees Lesson Two use Film English

Or

You can use Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

AUDIO LINK for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Now, students will plan their own short story using the plot diagram and following the advice they learned in the lesson. They should choose their own title.

LESSON 2

If you use The Man Who Planted Trees instructions for Lesson Two are found on Film English

If you use Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes use the links below and the additional resources on The Things You Can Read.

Plot Diagram for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Free Lesson Plan for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Questions for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Audio for Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Slide Show to Introduce and Teach Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!