Resources for teaching creative writing in the classroom, suitable for Years 7 – 12 unless otherwise specified.
A series of fun activities that teach how to correctly punctuate dialogue, best completed in pairs. Allow 40 – 60 minutes.
SHOWING VERSUS TELLING – BACKSTORY EXERCISES (pptx)
A practical explanation of the difference between showing and telling, and the effects of showing. Contains examples from Maggie Stiefvater’s series The Raven Boys, plus her discussion of the stylistic choices she made while writing certain passages. Some activities to complete at the end. Allow 45 mins.
A close examination of a large volume of story openings using the website Miss Snark’s First Victim as a resource. Students can work independently and discuss findings at the end. The more time the better, as the more openings they read the better they will absorb the principles of good openings – aim for a minimum of ten openings, and preferably 20+. Allow at least 45 mins + discussion time.
HOW TO SHOW INSTEAD OF TELL (.pptx)
A series of five exercises to practice showing rather than telling. First exercise is more scaffolded, with scaffolding decreasing sequentially. Allow 50 mins, or tailor the length of each exercise to your class.
CORRECT DIALOGUE PUNCTUATION (.docx with links to YouTube)
Three 15-minute videos that show in detail how to correctly punctuate dialogue. A good at-home resource for students as a reminder of principles learned in class (see Dialogue Activities above, for e.g.). 45 mins total.
A presentation on characterisation and borrowing traits from real life, reminding writers to look deeper than superficial characteristics to the why of a character. Contains exercises throughout. Concludes with Maggie Stiefvater’s article of the same name (full text in the notes section for teachers). Allow 45+ mins.