Short Story WritingShort Story Writing

CharactersCharacters

The Big PictureThe Big Picture

You are going to create a character who could You are going to create a character who could appear in any short story which you may decide appear in any short story which you may decide to write in the Standard Grade Writing Exam.to write in the Standard Grade Writing Exam.

Your character will be realistic and believable.Your character will be realistic and believable.

You do not know which short story question will You do not know which short story question will appear in the Exam so you will have to think in appear in the Exam so you will have to think in advance about how your character would react in advance about how your character would react in a variety of different situations.a variety of different situations.

Your character will have a name, age, occupation, Your character will have a name, age, occupation, personality type, appearance, family and so on…personality type, appearance, family and so on…

Getting StartedGetting Started

You will need to decide on a few basics for your You will need to decide on a few basics for your character in order to get started.character in order to get started.

Remember that you will be getting to know your Remember that you will be getting to know your character very well in the coming weeks so character very well in the coming weeks so choose him or her carefully.choose him or her carefully.

TaskTask: Spend ten minutes deciding on the : Spend ten minutes deciding on the following details:following details:

Gender, name, age, occupation, Gender, name, age, occupation, familyfamily..

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Cathy McKennaCathy McKenna

• 36 years old36 years old

• Works in a bankWorks in a bank

• Husband, no kids.Husband, no kids.

Homework Task

For homework you should create a picture of your character – either one which you have drawn (if you have a particular talent here!), one like a photo-fit, made up with clippings from various magazines and newspapers or one downloaded from Google images or such like .

Section ASection A

Personality TypePersonality Type

PersonalityPersonality

Your character’s Your character’s personality is likely to fall personality is likely to fall into one (or more) of the into one (or more) of the following broad categories:following broad categories:

1.1. OutgoingOutgoing

2.2. Shy, nervousShy, nervous

3.3. WithdrawnWithdrawn

4.4. Argumentative, Argumentative, confrontationalconfrontational

TaskTask: Write a few : Write a few sentences about the type sentences about the type of personality your of personality your character has.character has.

Think about Think about whywhy your your character is like this. Has character is like this. Has he/she had a particular he/she had a particular experience in life which has experience in life which has made him/her like this?made him/her like this?

How does this personality How does this personality type affect him/her in daily type affect him/her in daily life e.g. at work, dealing life e.g. at work, dealing with friends, being part of a with friends, being part of a family?family?

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Cathy has to be outgoing in her job but she has Cathy has to be outgoing in her job but she has become increasingly withdrawn from friends and become increasingly withdrawn from friends and family.family.

• She lost her mother a few years ago and is terrified She lost her mother a few years ago and is terrified that something will happen to other people she loves.that something will happen to other people she loves.

• The result is that she puts up a barrier between herself The result is that she puts up a barrier between herself and others to avoid being hurt.and others to avoid being hurt.

• The only person who really knows how she feels goes The only person who really knows how she feels goes by the name of Tammy839. Cathy speaks to her in an by the name of Tammy839. Cathy speaks to her in an internet chat room.internet chat room.

SecretsSecretsTo make your character more interesting, it can be a To make your character more interesting, it can be a good idea to hint at something in the character’s past good idea to hint at something in the character’s past which he/she does not reveal on a daily basis.which he/she does not reveal on a daily basis.

This can be something positive or something more This can be something positive or something more negative e.g. a particular talent, a criminal negative e.g. a particular talent, a criminal background, a physical problem, an addiction.background, a physical problem, an addiction.

ExampleExample:: If you saw him in his garden or in his car, you If you saw him in his garden or in his car, you would think he was just another suburban dad. Yet in would think he was just another suburban dad. Yet in a drawer of the living room of the pebble-dashed semi a drawer of the living room of the pebble-dashed semi where I grew up there was a Distinguished Service where I grew up there was a Distinguished Service Medal that he had won during the war.Medal that he had won during the war. (Tony Parsons)(Tony Parsons)

TaskTask: Discuss in pairs/groups what your character : Discuss in pairs/groups what your character could be hiding and why. Add your most believable could be hiding and why. Add your most believable secret to your character profile.secret to your character profile.

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Cathy has become addicted to internet chat Cathy has become addicted to internet chat rooms.rooms.

• She spends all night at home on the computer, She spends all night at home on the computer, talking to her cyber friends.talking to her cyber friends.

• Cathy now spends a good deal of time at work on Cathy now spends a good deal of time at work on the internet – when she is supposed to be serving the internet – when she is supposed to be serving customers.customers.

• The bank has given her a formal written warning The bank has given her a formal written warning about her internet usage.about her internet usage.

Section BSection B

AppearanceAppearance

AppearanceAppearance

Think very carefully about which aspects of the character’s Think very carefully about which aspects of the character’s appearance you choose to describe. ‘Shining blonde hair appearance you choose to describe. ‘Shining blonde hair and baby blue eyes’ do not make for a particularly and baby blue eyes’ do not make for a particularly interesting character! Aim to describe more subtle aspects interesting character! Aim to describe more subtle aspects of your character’s appearance.of your character’s appearance.

ExampleExample:: She was a slim redhead with that kind of fine Irish She was a slim redhead with that kind of fine Irish skin that is so pale it looks as though it has never seen the skin that is so pale it looks as though it has never seen the sun. She was in her early twenties – she looked as though sun. She was in her early twenties – she looked as though she had been out of university for about forty-five minutes – she had been out of university for about forty-five minutes – but she still had a few freckles.but she still had a few freckles. (Tony Parsons)(Tony Parsons)

TaskTask: In pairs, write a sentence about the girl’s freckles! : In pairs, write a sentence about the girl’s freckles! Aim to use a simile or metaphor in your description.Aim to use a simile or metaphor in your description.

1.1. EyesEyes

You’ve probably heard You’ve probably heard the cliché ‘the eyes are the cliché ‘the eyes are the window to the soul’…the window to the soul’…

It is always useful to think It is always useful to think about which aspects of about which aspects of your character’s eyes you your character’s eyes you will describe and what will describe and what you hope this will reveal you hope this will reveal about him/her.about him/her.

ExampleExample: : At first she At first she thought the girl was thought the girl was about fifteen, but that about fifteen, but that was before she looked was before she looked into her eyes.into her eyes. (Stieg (Stieg Larsson)Larsson)

You may find it useful You may find it useful to think about the to think about the following things in following things in relation to eyes:relation to eyes:

1.1. ColourColour2.2. Lines, wrinklesLines, wrinkles3.3. Clarity, bloodshot etcClarity, bloodshot etc4.4. Welcoming, worried Welcoming, worried

etc.etc.

TaskTask: Write 5 sentences : Write 5 sentences describing your describing your character’s character’s

eyes.eyes.

Example: Although he must have been fifty-fiveish, he had incredibly bright eyes, like a baby. (Laura Marney)

Example: Pink rims round the eyes like a rabbit, broken veins starting on the cheeks and other things better not examined. (Janice Galloway)

Example: There were no saucer-like erosions under their eyes, no pouchy sacs of unshed tears. (Shena Mackay)

You can focus on one aspect of your character’s eyes and You can focus on one aspect of your character’s eyes and by using either a positive or a negative simile/metaphor, by using either a positive or a negative simile/metaphor, hint at the type of person he/she is.hint at the type of person he/she is.

Think about the different personalities suggested by the Think about the different personalities suggested by the following examples: following examples:

1.1. Her wrinkles were like warm, soft corduroy caressing the Her wrinkles were like warm, soft corduroy caressing the sides of her eyes.sides of her eyes.

2.2. Her wrinkles were like the cold, ridged sand left behind Her wrinkles were like the cold, ridged sand left behind after the tide had long gone.after the tide had long gone.

Task: Now add a simile or metaphor to your description of Task: Now add a simile or metaphor to your description of the character’s eyes which reveals more about the type of the character’s eyes which reveals more about the type of person he/she is.person he/she is.

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Cathy had developed the habit of narrowing her Cathy had developed the habit of narrowing her eyes like a cat having been rudely awoken from eyes like a cat having been rudely awoken from its slumber. One almost expected her to its slumber. One almost expected her to accompany this with a cat-like hiss and arching of accompany this with a cat-like hiss and arching of the back. The red veins in her eyes were very the back. The red veins in her eyes were very much like the varied connections you would much like the varied connections you would expect to see were you to peer inside a piece of expect to see were you to peer inside a piece of technology.technology.

2.2. MovementMovement

The way in which your character moves can The way in which your character moves can reveal a great deal about the type of person reveal a great deal about the type of person he/she is.he/she is.

TaskTask: Look at the following features of someone : Look at the following features of someone walking along the street and decide what sort of walking along the street and decide what sort of person he/she may be:person he/she may be:

1.1. Slouched shoulders with hands in their pockets.Slouched shoulders with hands in their pockets.2.2. Shoulders back, arms swinging, hair being flicked Shoulders back, arms swinging, hair being flicked

out.out.3.3. Eyes looking towards the ground, pulling hat Eyes looking towards the ground, pulling hat

further down on head.further down on head.4.4. Walking slowly, gazing into shop windows.Walking slowly, gazing into shop windows.

How you describe the movements of your How you describe the movements of your character will depend on which type of story character will depend on which type of story he/she is in.he/she is in.

Task: Choose one of the following scenes and Task: Choose one of the following scenes and write 3 sentences to describe how your write 3 sentences to describe how your character would move in such a scene:character would move in such a scene:

1.1. Half an hour before the shops close on Half an hour before the shops close on Christmas Eve.Christmas Eve.

2.2. Getting onto a crowded train.Getting onto a crowded train.

3.3. Arriving for a hospital appointment.Arriving for a hospital appointment.

Example: Sheila led me down the lawn, stopping occasionally to deadhead plants or pull a reckless weed from a border. Perhaps it was too chilly to sit outside or maybe she found it easier to talk of her sister without looking into someone else’s eyes. (Louise Welsh)

Example: Montgomery strolled across the road, all hint of menace gone, looking like the kind of man you might turn to for advice, a respectable middle-aged man with a sleep problem who like to take the air in the early hours. (Louise Welsh)

Example: Marianne stood in the kitchen fiddling with her drink, looking around at the shiny happy people spilling into Pippa’s cosy farmhouse. (Julia Williams)

Example: Hands hidden beneath the desk, he started to tap out Bach’s Italian Concerto on his thighs, fingers making little slapping sounds against his trousers…Robin winced as a twinge in his wrist momentarily paralysed his fingers. When the stabbing pain passed, he locked his hands together and squeezed the between his knees. He took a deep breath. (Allan Guthrie)

Example: A woman with wild, dilated bright eyes glided back and forward across the room, as if on castors, with a strange stateliness, passing and repassing the television screen, and from time to time stopping to ask someone for a cigarette, from which she took one elegant puff before stubbing it out in the ashtray and continuing her somnambulistic progress. (Shena Mackay)

Example: He poured the last drop down his throat and threw the little bottle into the snow, taking a deep drag on the untipped cigarette, which was the only sort which gave him any satisfaction now. He coughed, a heavy painful cough, like squashed mistletoe berries in his lungs. (Shena Mackay)

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Getting onto a crowded trainGetting onto a crowded train..

• She hated this part of the day the most. The She hated this part of the day the most. The squeeze as the train shunted her away from work squeeze as the train shunted her away from work and back to her home. And to her husband. She and back to her home. And to her husband. She glanced round at the happy couples on their own glanced round at the happy couples on their own journeys back to their homes. Back to normality. journeys back to their homes. Back to normality. Was this what she craved? She tried to avoid her Was this what she craved? She tried to avoid her reflection staring back from the train’s window. reflection staring back from the train’s window. Acknowledging her altered appearance would be Acknowledging her altered appearance would be more than she could bear at the minute.more than she could bear at the minute.

3.3. ClothesClothes

Clothes are a very good reflection of what Clothes are a very good reflection of what someone is like.someone is like.

You can comment on not just the colour and You can comment on not just the colour and shape of the garments but on things like how well shape of the garments but on things like how well they have been taken care of and on whether or they have been taken care of and on whether or not they are fashionable clothes.not they are fashionable clothes.

Task: Add a description of your character’s typical Task: Add a description of your character’s typical outfit to your Character Profile. Think about top, outfit to your Character Profile. Think about top, trousers/skirt, shoes, outerwear, accessories.trousers/skirt, shoes, outerwear, accessories.

ExampleExample:: She was dressed in deepest black, in the style of She was dressed in deepest black, in the style of full mourning that had rather gone out of fashion...Indeed, it full mourning that had rather gone out of fashion...Indeed, it had clearly been dug out of some old trunk or wardrobe, for had clearly been dug out of some old trunk or wardrobe, for its blackness was a little rusty looking. A bonnet-type hat its blackness was a little rusty looking. A bonnet-type hat covered her head and shaded her face...”(covered her head and shaded her face...”(Susan Hill)Susan Hill)

ExampleExample:: I I probably wasn’t one to judge, but Johnny didn’t probably wasn’t one to judge, but Johnny didn’t seem to be following fashion any more. The old greatcoat seem to be following fashion any more. The old greatcoat was gone, replaced by a navy parka with a small rip in the was gone, replaced by a navy parka with a small rip in the sleeve that appeared to have been mended using a bicycle sleeve that appeared to have been mended using a bicycle repair kit. Beneath the parka he wore a t-shirt with a repair kit. Beneath the parka he wore a t-shirt with a diametric pattern that meant nothing to me. His jeans were diametric pattern that meant nothing to me. His jeans were scuffed, splattered with the same paint that decorated his scuffed, splattered with the same paint that decorated his worn-out trainers. Johnny’s mouth bent in a wide grin and I worn-out trainers. Johnny’s mouth bent in a wide grin and I noticed a gap where his left incisor used to be.noticed a gap where his left incisor used to be. (Louise Welsh) (Louise Welsh)

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Fashion was the furthest thing from Cathy’s mind Fashion was the furthest thing from Cathy’s mind these days. For work, she relied on three these days. For work, she relied on three different suits: the navy one, the grey one, the different suits: the navy one, the grey one, the black one. She worked in a bank; she wasn’t black one. She worked in a bank; she wasn’t expected to be cutting edge. At the weekend, it expected to be cutting edge. At the weekend, it was all about comfort. She had very quickly was all about comfort. She had very quickly discovered that jeans dug in when sitting at the discovered that jeans dug in when sitting at the computer. Far better were her grey jogging computer. Far better were her grey jogging bottoms; ‘leti’ the logo proclaimed where they bottoms; ‘leti’ the logo proclaimed where they had once read ‘Athletic’.had once read ‘Athletic’.

4.4. HairHair

Another important facet of a character’s Another important facet of a character’s appearance is their hair.appearance is their hair.

Some of the things you could comment on are:Some of the things you could comment on are:

1.1. Length, colourLength, colour

2.2. Care taken, conditionCare taken, condition

3.3. Does character hide behind it?Does character hide behind it?

TaskTask: : Now add 3 sentences to your Character Now add 3 sentences to your Character Profile, Profile, describing the character’s hair.describing the character’s hair.

ExampleExample: : He was a particularly small man...with an He was a particularly small man...with an extraordinary, domed head, fringed around at the extraordinary, domed head, fringed around at the very back with gingerish hair, like some sort of rough very back with gingerish hair, like some sort of rough braiding around the base of a lampshade.braiding around the base of a lampshade. (Susan Hill)(Susan Hill)

ExampleExample:: He had grey-white hair, loads of it, pulled He had grey-white hair, loads of it, pulled into a tight ponytail on top of his head with curls into a tight ponytail on top of his head with curls reaching down to his shoulder…Not exactly a reaching down to his shoulder…Not exactly a handsome man, but very striking.handsome man, but very striking. (Laura Marney) (Laura Marney)

ExampleExample:: Her tangle of hair had been blown glass-Her tangle of hair had been blown glass-straight.straight. (Jodi Picoult) (Jodi Picoult)

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Her hair had once been her crowning glory. The Her hair had once been her crowning glory. The air-head models in the shampoo adverts had air-head models in the shampoo adverts had nothing on her gleaming tresses. Now it was nothing on her gleaming tresses. Now it was different. Now she had an indentation where the different. Now she had an indentation where the hair passed the base of her neck from the elastic hair passed the base of her neck from the elastic bobble she used to scrape it back from her face. bobble she used to scrape it back from her face. She was forever brushing hair from her shoulders She was forever brushing hair from her shoulders from where the bobble had caused it to weaken from where the bobble had caused it to weaken and snap off. Now the only thing which made her and snap off. Now the only thing which made her hair gleam was the fact that it hadn’t been hair gleam was the fact that it hadn’t been washed for close to a week.washed for close to a week.

5.5. Other Facial FeaturesOther Facial Features

It is unlikely that you will describe everything It is unlikely that you will describe everything about your character’s appearance in the one short about your character’s appearance in the one short story but you should still include a description of story but you should still include a description of other facial features in your Character Profile.other facial features in your Character Profile.

For example: nose, mouth, facial hair, complexion, For example: nose, mouth, facial hair, complexion, glasses, piercings...glasses, piercings...

Task: Choose 2 or 3 other facial features which you Task: Choose 2 or 3 other facial features which you could describe and add to the character profile of could describe and add to the character profile of your own character.your own character.

Example: She wears black lipstick and dark, angry eyeliner, there is a metal hoop through her nostril and a ball stud nested like a pearl in a shell in her plump bottom lip. But her eyes are wide and green, her cheekbones high, her complexion flawless. She is fooling no one, her beauty shines through like a fog light… (Jonathan Tropper)

Example: His face was as pale as mine, but instead of the graveyard grey of my complexion, his was the milk white of youth before acne sets in. (Louise Welsh)

Example: She smiled and tiny brilliant sequins flashed and sparkled all over her face and hair. (Margaret Atwood)

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Her skin had taken on the waxy grey pallor of a Her skin had taken on the waxy grey pallor of a teenage boy who spends too much time in front teenage boy who spends too much time in front of a screen. She rarely wore make up these days. of a screen. She rarely wore make up these days. She saw very little point since if she wasn’t at She saw very little point since if she wasn’t at work, she was in her ‘study’ at home (really a work, she was in her ‘study’ at home (really a walk-in cupboard under the hall stairs.)walk-in cupboard under the hall stairs.)

Section CSection C

Variety of SettingsVariety of Settings

1.1. At a PartyAt a Party

How would your character act if he/she were at a How would your character act if he/she were at a party?party?

Would he/she be nervous or would they be the life Would he/she be nervous or would they be the life and soul of the party?and soul of the party?

ExampleExample:: She had breezed through her thirtieth She had breezed through her thirtieth birthday surrounded by friends and family, dancing birthday surrounded by friends and family, dancing with her son to Wham’s greatest hits, a glass of with her son to Wham’s greatest hits, a glass of champagne in her hand. She looked great that champagne in her hand. She looked great that night, she really did.night, she really did. (Tony Parsons)(Tony Parsons)

TaskTask: Write a few sentences where you describe : Write a few sentences where you describe your character 2 hours into a house party.your character 2 hours into a house party.

Sample CharacterSample Character

• Cathy had tons of friends. Night after night she Cathy had tons of friends. Night after night she would log on to her favourite chat rooms and tell would log on to her favourite chat rooms and tell her friends all about her day, her relationship, her her friends all about her day, her relationship, her worries. In fact she could tell them pretty much worries. In fact she could tell them pretty much anything. But here she was in a anything. But here she was in a realreal room full of room full of realreal strangers and she was at a loss. She began strangers and she was at a loss. She began to wish that she hadn’t gulped at her drink quite to wish that she hadn’t gulped at her drink quite so quickly because she felt ridiculous standing so quickly because she felt ridiculous standing there clutching an empty tumbler. Her eyes there clutching an empty tumbler. Her eyes darted around the room in the quest to find an darted around the room in the quest to find an empty chair. No such luck.empty chair. No such luck.

2.2. ConfrontationConfrontation

The way in which your character deals with confrontation The way in which your character deals with confrontation can give a real insight into what type of person he/she is.can give a real insight into what type of person he/she is.

Is he/she ‘good’ at arguing or does he/she steer clear of Is he/she ‘good’ at arguing or does he/she steer clear of all sorts of trouble?all sorts of trouble?

ExampleExample:: I saw myself delivering some perfect put-down I saw myself delivering some perfect put-down and then pulling away in a squeal of rubber, an and then pulling away in a squeal of rubber, an infuriating little smile on my face. But what actually infuriating little smile on my face. But what actually happened was that I just sat there trembling and happened was that I just sat there trembling and dreaming until all the cars behind me started sounding dreaming until all the cars behind me started sounding their horns and shouting stuff about the lights having their horns and shouting stuff about the lights having changed.changed. (Tony Parsons)(Tony Parsons)

Task: Choose one of the following situations and Task: Choose one of the following situations and describe how your character would react:describe how your character would react:

1.1. A pickpocket attempting to steal your character’s A pickpocket attempting to steal your character’s wallet/purse.wallet/purse.

2.2. Returning faulty goods to a shop which is Returning faulty goods to a shop which is reluctant to refund your character’s money.reluctant to refund your character’s money.

3.3. A careless driver who nearly knocks down your A careless driver who nearly knocks down your character.character.

Sample CharacterSample Character

• A careless driver who nearly knocks down your A careless driver who nearly knocks down your charactercharacter..

• Cathy stood there, dazed. What had just Cathy stood there, dazed. What had just happened? She vaguely registered the driver happened? She vaguely registered the driver staring at her and shouting but she wasn’t entirely staring at her and shouting but she wasn’t entirely sure why. It took a few seconds for reality to catch sure why. It took a few seconds for reality to catch up. When she realised that she couldn’t just blend up. When she realised that she couldn’t just blend into the background like another drop of rain into a into the background like another drop of rain into a puddle, she frantically looked around for puddle, she frantically looked around for somewhere to run to.somewhere to run to.

3.3. At the Bus StopAt the Bus Stop

TaskTask: You are now going to attempt the following : You are now going to attempt the following task in pairs.task in pairs.

Imagine that your character and your partner’s Imagine that your character and your partner’s character have met at a bus stop. How would character have met at a bus stop. How would they react to each other? What sort of things they react to each other? What sort of things would they talk about? Would one character be would they talk about? Would one character be more friendly than the other?more friendly than the other?

Write the conversation which the characters Write the conversation which the characters have, ensuring that it is properly punctuated.have, ensuring that it is properly punctuated.

Sample Character – Class Sample Character – Class ExampleExample• Cathy meets Kay Kay the drug-dealing rapperCathy meets Kay Kay the drug-dealing rapper

Kay Kay glared at the mess of a woman who stood next to Kay Kay glared at the mess of a woman who stood next to him. If these were the type who travelled by bus, then this him. If these were the type who travelled by bus, then this would be his one and only foray into the world of public would be his one and only foray into the world of public transport.transport.

His day went from bad to worse when the bus His day went from bad to worse when the bus arrived and the frumpy woman squashed her large behind arrived and the frumpy woman squashed her large behind onto the seat beside him. He edged closer to the window, onto the seat beside him. He edged closer to the window, all the while trying to further conceal the package secreted all the while trying to further conceal the package secreted inside his oversized jumper. inside his oversized jumper.

Cathy, for her part, kept stealing glances at the Cathy, for her part, kept stealing glances at the strange man she had found herself sitting beside. She strange man she had found herself sitting beside. She couldn’t understand why he had inched away from her. She couldn’t understand why he had inched away from her. She began to run through her morning routine in her head; began to run through her morning routine in her head; things had been hectic lately, but had she actually things had been hectic lately, but had she actually remembered to put on deodorant?remembered to put on deodorant?

Quick Questions

Background Information

Task: Make notes on the following pieces of information in relation to your character. This should help you to create a well-rounded character:

1. Favourite holiday destination. Why?2. Favourite food.3. Spare time interests/hobbies.4. Hopes/dreams/ambitions for the future.

Sample CharacterSample Character

1.1. Favourite holiday destination. WhyFavourite holiday destination. Why??

Last holiday she went on was her honeymoon to Belgium five Last holiday she went on was her honeymoon to Belgium five years ago. She prefers short breaks in the UK because she can years ago. She prefers short breaks in the UK because she can take her laptop with her.take her laptop with her.

2.2. Favourite foodFavourite food..

Microwave meals. Spends little time cooking for either herself Microwave meals. Spends little time cooking for either herself or her husband.or her husband.

3.3. Spare time interests/hobbiesSpare time interests/hobbies..

Computer!Computer!

4.4. Hopes/dreams/ambitions for the futureHopes/dreams/ambitions for the future..

Keep hold of her job. Sort out her relationship with her Keep hold of her job. Sort out her relationship with her husband.husband.

Character Profile ChecklistCharacter Profile Checklist

Your character profile should contain the Your character profile should contain the following:following:

Personality; secretsPersonality; secrets

Appearance: eyes, movement, clothes, hair, other Appearance: eyes, movement, clothes, hair, other facial features.facial features.

Behaviour in various settings: party, Behaviour in various settings: party, confrontation, at a bus stop.confrontation, at a bus stop.

Past Paper QuestionsPast Paper Questions

How does your character How does your character fit in?fit in?

There is no guarantee that your character will ‘fit in’ to every short story question in the Exam.

In fact, you should not force your character into a story because this will make your answer irrelevant to the question.

Instead, you should spend a good deal of time in advance of the Exam practising writing a range of short stories which include your character.

It is common for short story questions to either give you the title or give you the opening of the story.

Task: Look at the following short story questions and write a paragraph plan/make a mind map for those which suit your character.

Past Paper Questions - 2007Past Paper Questions - 2007

1.1. Write a short storyWrite a short story using using ONEONE of the of the following titles:following titles:

FutureshockFutureshock She Saw the She Saw the FutureFuture

You should develop You should develop settingsetting and and charactercharacter as well as as well as plotplot..

2.2. Write a short storyWrite a short story using the following using the following opening:opening:

The reluctance was written all over The reluctance was written all over John’s face. He tugged at his mother’s John’s face. He tugged at his mother’s hand. He winced. He grimaced. He hand. He winced. He grimaced. He complained. Still his mother led him complained. Still his mother led him on…on…

You should develop You should develop settingsetting and and charactercharacter as well as as well as plotplot..

3.3. Write a short storyWrite a short story using using ONEONE of the of the following titles:following titles:

The UnderdogThe Underdog Free at LastFree at Last

You should develop You should develop settingsetting and and charactercharacter as well as as well as plotplot..

4.4. Write a short storyWrite a short story using using ONEONE of the of the following titles:following titles:

Stranger in a Strange LandStranger in a Strange Land

No ReturnNo Return

You should develop You should develop settingsetting and and charactercharacter as as well as well as plot.plot.

5.5. Write a short storyWrite a short story using the following using the following title:title:

The TravellerThe Traveller

You should develop You should develop settingsetting and and charactercharacter as well as as well as plotplot..

Plot Structure

A simple plot for a short story can be broken down into 5 main parts:

1. Set the scene2. Introduce the theme and characters3. Describe a problem e.g. a conflict or argument,

losing something important, getting into a situation that is difficult to escape...

4. Solve the problem – creating a turning point in the action

5. Ending - resolve the theme and characters

Sample PlotBelow is a sample plot for a short story with the title ‘Never Forgotten’.

1. Set the sceneWeather deteriorating – skies darkening – wind – cold – on a beach – sand rippling – waves increasing in strength

2. Introduce the theme and charactersIntroduce yourself – the ‘I’ of the story. You are packing up and thinking about how much better the day on the beach would have been if the weather had held up.Introduce one other character – a child you have seen going into the water with a rubber dinghy.

3. Describe a problem

Child with rubber dinghy gets into difficulties. 4. Solve the problem – creating a turning

point in the action

You rush into the water to save the child. Describe the difficulties as the waves crash

around you … what happens next? 5. Ending - resolve the theme and characters

Happy ending – child reunited with parents – you are congratulated/thanked.

Short StoryShort Story

Writing in First Person Writing in First Person NarrativeNarrative

The Big PictureThe Big Picture

A successful technique to use in short story A successful technique to use in short story writing can be to create a believable narrator by writing can be to create a believable narrator by writing in the first person.writing in the first person.This narrative style allows you to show your This narrative style allows you to show your character’s character’s inner thoughts inner thoughts as they explain in as they explain in detail what they are thinking about.detail what they are thinking about.As the storyteller, you will be able to give the As the storyteller, you will be able to give the reader an insight into what the main character is reader an insight into what the main character is thinking and feeling through describing their thinking and feeling through describing their reactionsreactions to events. to events. You will be able to use You will be able to use punctuation and sentence punctuation and sentence structure to convey emotionstructure to convey emotion..You will be able to use You will be able to use rhetorical questions to rhetorical questions to reveal thoughts and concernsreveal thoughts and concerns..

‘ ‘The Last Bus HomeThe Last Bus Home’’

At the end of this section, you will write a short At the end of this section, you will write a short story in first person narrative with the title ‘The story in first person narrative with the title ‘The Last Bus Home’.Last Bus Home’.

Think about the following:Think about the following:

Have you ever waited in the cold, wondering if Have you ever waited in the cold, wondering if you have missed the bus? you have missed the bus? Have you ever looked at other people waiting and Have you ever looked at other people waiting and become anxious or curious about them, why they become anxious or curious about them, why they are there? are there? Perhaps someone has sat next to you, tried to Perhaps someone has sat next to you, tried to start up a conversation, made you nervous, or start up a conversation, made you nervous, or amused?amused?

ExampleExampleLook at the following colour-coded extract which Look at the following colour-coded extract which shows what the narrator is thinking. shows what the narrator is thinking.

The character’s inner thoughts are revealed as The character’s inner thoughts are revealed as they explain in detail what they are thinking they explain in detail what they are thinking about.about.

Emotions are revealed by showing reactions to Emotions are revealed by showing reactions to events.events.

Punctuation and sentence structure can be used Punctuation and sentence structure can be used to convey emotion.to convey emotion.

Thoughts and concerns are also revealed Thoughts and concerns are also revealed through the use of rhetorical questions.through the use of rhetorical questions.

As I sat and waited I tried to take my mind off the As I sat and waited I tried to take my mind off the driving rain and the blocks of ice inside my shoes, that driving rain and the blocks of ice inside my shoes, that used to be my feet, by imagining myself at home. used to be my feet, by imagining myself at home. I I could see the welcoming orange light in the could see the welcoming orange light in the porch, smell the furniture polish my cleaning porch, smell the furniture polish my cleaning obsessed mother sprayed at any invading dust, I obsessed mother sprayed at any invading dust, I could even feel the heat from the mug of hot could even feel the heat from the mug of hot chocolate on my hands…chocolate on my hands…Suddenly I heard a Suddenly I heard a racking cough behind me, I froze. racking cough behind me, I froze. Terrified.Terrified. Images from TV crime dramas flashed through my Images from TV crime dramas flashed through my mind, warnings about being out on my own in the dark mind, warnings about being out on my own in the dark echoed in my head. echoed in my head. Who was it?Who was it? I wondered, shrinking I wondered, shrinking further inside my coat trying to make myself invisible.further inside my coat trying to make myself invisible.

TaskTask

Try to explain the narrator’s emotions/thoughts . The first Try to explain the narrator’s emotions/thoughts . The first one has been done for you.one has been done for you.

I could see the welcoming orange light in the porch, smell I could see the welcoming orange light in the porch, smell the furniture polish my cleaning obsessed mother sprayed the furniture polish my cleaning obsessed mother sprayed at any invading dust, I could even feel the heat from the at any invading dust, I could even feel the heat from the mug of hot chocolate on my hands…mug of hot chocolate on my hands…

Character is thinking happy thoughts – looking Character is thinking happy thoughts – looking forward to going home – a comforting, warm forward to going home – a comforting, warm welcome awaits them – anticipation. welcome awaits them – anticipation.

Now try thisNow try this::

Suddenly I heard a racking cough behind Suddenly I heard a racking cough behind me, I froze.me, I froze.

Shows fear. Character unsure how to behave.Shows fear. Character unsure how to behave.

Terrified.Terrified.

One word in sentence of its own. Clarifies how One word in sentence of its own. Clarifies how the character is feeling. Reader cannot doubt the character is feeling. Reader cannot doubt how scared narrator is.how scared narrator is.

Who was it?Who was it?

Rhetorical question allows us to see what the Rhetorical question allows us to see what the narrator is thinking and wondering about. The narrator is thinking and wondering about. The reader often thinks about something at the same reader often thinks about something at the same time as the narrator does.time as the narrator does.

Your TurnYour Turn

When you write your short story you are going to When you write your short story you are going to write in the first person - as if you are the main write in the first person - as if you are the main character, the person telling the story, the character, the person telling the story, the narrator. narrator.

This does not mean the person is you, or even like This does not mean the person is you, or even like you, it simply allows you as the storyteller to give you, it simply allows you as the storyteller to give the reader an insight into what the main character the reader an insight into what the main character is thinking and feeling.is thinking and feeling.

e.g. I gazed longingly down the empty road, e.g. I gazed longingly down the empty road, wondering if the elusive bus would ever appear.wondering if the elusive bus would ever appear.

TaskTask

Write a paragraph describing your character Write a paragraph describing your character waiting at a bus stop. waiting at a bus stop.

Remember to make your reader experience the Remember to make your reader experience the character’s inner thoughts.character’s inner thoughts.

Do not get carried away by getting involved in Do not get carried away by getting involved in describing any ‘action.’describing any ‘action.’

You will have the opportunity to assess each You will have the opportunity to assess each other’s paragraphs.other’s paragraphs.

Remember:

You could consider creating a hostile environment for the narrator, perhaps with personification to suggest that the surroundings are attacking him/her.

Appropriate similes and word choice should also be used to suggest that this is an unpleasant setting.

Peer AssessmentPeer Assessment

Use the table below to check your partner’s Use the table below to check your partner’s description of their character’s thoughts and description of their character’s thoughts and feelings:feelings:

   Element EvidenceCharacter’s inner thoughts are revealedEmotions are revealed through reactions to eventsThe character’s thoughts are revealed through rhetorical questionsPunctuation and sentence structure are used to highlight emotions in the character

Essay TaskEssay Task

You are now ready to plan and write your short You are now ready to plan and write your short story entitles ‘The Last Bus Home’.story entitles ‘The Last Bus Home’.

Copy and complete the following table to help Copy and complete the following table to help you formulate a plan:you formulate a plan:

Introduction – Set the Scene Description of bus stop. AtmosphereIntroduce the narrator – make sure their feelings about their situation are clearDescribe the problem facing the narrator – make sure you describe their reactions to the issueExplain how the narrator deals with/ resolves the problemResolve the theme and characters – making sure all loose ends are tied up and the narrator’s feelings towards the problem are made clear