DSE English Bureau

  Story Writing Skill 2 Characterization:     How do we create vivid characters?   ADA    A__    D   A (and thought) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. An example from Harry Potter: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (2001) - DUDLEY'S BIRTHDAY & The Snake Describe Dudley’s character:_____________________________ …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Read the book and compare that with the video. Explain the difference between the book and the video:   His Aunt Petunia was awake and it was her shrill voice that made the first noise of the day.   "Up! Get up! Now!"   Harry woke with a start. His aunt rapped on the door again.   "Up!" she screeched.     Harry heard her walking toward the kitchen and then the sound of the frying pan being put on the stove. His aunt was back outside the door.   "Are you up yet?" she demanded ...

  Skill 1: Show don’t tell           “Good writers may ‘tell’ about anything in fiction except the characters’ feelings. One may tell the reader that the character went to a private school… or one may tell the reader that the character hates spaghetti; but with rare exceptions the characters’ feelings must be demonstrated : fear, love, excitement, doubt, embarrassment, despair become real only when they take the form of events – action (or gesture), dialogue, or physical reaction to setting. Detail is the lifeblood of fiction . (John Gardner)     I heard some noise from the kitchen so a) I went over nervously. When I walked into the kitchen, I saw b) a hungry and angry lion . c) I was shocked and frightened. The lion heard me and turned around. It crawled towards me with its tail held high. d) I was afraid u ntil it lay in front of me, purring like my pet cat. Seeing its gentle gesture, e) I felt rather relieved. A ll of...

  Lamb to the Slaughter     by ROALD DAHL     Pre-reading: What would be the ingredients of a “perfect murder”? Rank the following:         It should be easy to arrange. It should leave no clues There should be no noise. It should look like suicide. It should take place in a lonely, isolated place. It should be cheap. It should be quick The murderer should have a good alibi. Any more you would like to add?                      by ROALD DAHL     [1]     The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two table lamps alight - hers and the one by the empty chair opposite. On the sideboard behind her, two tall glasses, soda water, whiskey.   Fresh ice cubes in the Thermos bucket.   What do you think about the setting? Why is there whiskey?...