We have spent a couple of weeks on grammar, prepositions, direct objects, and predicate words. It's time to revisit some creative writing to keep up those skills! We will view a reading of the original book by Dr. Seuss "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" as an inspiration. Students will need to rewrite the story with the Grinch as the hero throughout the plot (instead of the villain). Your narrative should be two-three pages long, and it should include characters, a good plot, and avoid "dead" verbs whenever possible. You may be able to use some suspense strategies, too! Your rough draft should have the proper English heading and be titled "Creative Writing-Grinch."
This is going to be a practice of "low-stakes" writing. Students should be more concerned with creativity and a cohesive plot than mechanical mistakes or grammar.
Here is a timeline for the writing process with this piece:
- Wednesday- We will view a reading of the original story as inspiration (video below). You will brainstorm an idea for your narrative where the Grinch is not the villain. (We will discuss how the author of "The TRUE Story of the Three Little Pigs" did it with the big, bad wolf.) Once you are finished brainstorming, you can begin your rough draft. The story should be 2-3 pages long.
- Thursday- Continue writing your rough draft.
- Add dialogue and good descriptive details to your story.
- Make sure you are "showing" the reader what is happening through details and description rather than "telling" them. Add details and description whenever possible
- Remove the "dead" verbs from the story. The dead verbs tombstone is in a previous post on the blog.
- Characters, details, description, dialogue, and a good plot.
- Friday
- Finish Rough Draft
- Read your rough draft and make revisions if necessary
- Make sure you have the creative/narrative requirements above
- I would love to hear some of these stories in class on Friday!
