A RITUAL IS A SET OF ACTIONS, OFTEN THOUGHT TO HAVE

SYMBOLIC VALUE, THE PERFORMANCE OF WHICH IS USUALLY PRESCRIBED BY A

RELIGION OR BY THE TRADITIONS OF A COMMUNITY

RITUAL

THE NATURE OF RITUAL

A ritual may be performed at regular intervals, or on specific occasions, or at the discretion of individuals or communities.

It may be performed by a single individual, by a group, or by the entire

community; in arbitrary places, or in places especially reserved

for it; either in public, in private, or before specific people

DEMYSTIFYING RITUAL

Rituals of various kinds are a feature of almost all known human societies, past or present. They include not only the various worship rites and sacraments of organized religions and cults, but also the rites of passage of certain societies, atonement and purification rites, oaths of allegiance, dedication ceremonies, coronations and presidential inaugurations, marriages and funerals, school "rush" traditions and graduations, club meetings, sports events, Halloween parties, veteran parades, Christmas shopping and more. Many activities that are ostensibly performed for concrete purposes, such as jury trials, execution of criminals, and scientific symposia, are loaded with purely symbolic actions prescribed by regulations or tradition, and thus partly ritualistic in nature. Even common actions like hand-shaking and saying hello are rituals.

TELLING THE DIFFERENCE

Habit: A behaviour pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance. An acquired mode of behaviour that has become nearly or completely involuntary.

Custom: A usage or practice common to many or to a particular place or class, or habitual with an individual. Long established practice considered as unwritten law. Repeated practice. The whole body of usages, practices, or conventions that regulate social life.

Tradition: An inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behaviour (as a religious practice or social custom). The handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction. Cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions. Characteristic manner, method, or style.

Ritual: The established form for a ceremony; the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony. Ritual observance: system of rites, a ceremonial act or action or a customarily repeated often formal act or series of acts.

NOW FOR YOUR SHORT STORY

The THEME or notion behind your Short Story must be based on a chosen ritual

No story stands still, therefore, your Story must involve a ritual in a state of change (e.g. The first child in an ethnic family who refuses to comply with the ritual of an arranged marriage....the ritual is being tested....your story tells of the one time it changes....not the thousand other times when it is followed)

Rituals help compose and characterise our society. Therefore, your choice of topic will be dictated by a specific Image of Society.

YOU choose a picture/image, and write a story explaining, or inspired by, that picture.

The concept of ritual must be implicit within that chosen image. The rest of this presentation consists of a variety of selected

images. Use these to construct storylines in the same manner you will be required to with your own chosen image.

CREATE A RITUAL FOR THESE MENDECIDE HOW IT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE

YES !!!! WHY ?

THE RITUAL OF THE MILKMAN...CHANGING....WHERE ? WHY ? CIRCUMSTANCES ?

WHAT RITUAL OF LIFE DOES THIS REPRESENT ? STORY ?

THE RITUAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY

A HAPPY RITUAL

WHAT STORY IS THIS PICTURE TELLING ?

THE UNIVERSALITY OF WEDDINGS

WHAT RITUAL OF MAN DOES THIS IMAGE REPRESENT ? WHAT STORY COULD EMERGE

FROM IT ?

FAMILY RITUAL

SURFING AS A RITUAL

THE RITUAL OF ADVENTURE

SPORT AND ITS MANY RITUALS

MOURNING ? RESPECT ? A MOMENT’S SILENCE ?

EATING AS RITUAL

WAR. DEATH. CEREMONIES.

DOES POVERTY HAVE ITS RITUALS ?

COMMUTING AS A RITUAL ! BUT NOT TODAY....

POLITICAL RITUAL : THE END OF THE BERLIN WALL

RITUALS FORCED INTO CHANGE THROUGH GEOGRAPHIC CIRCUMSTANCES /NATURAL DISASTERS(This is actually the town of Fargo, USA !!)