First tutorial class

I think this is quite an essay-writing module, am I right? Anyway, first lesson was interesting. I think the name “game” that Ryan got us to play was rather fun. But I couldn’t even remember the first few names and actions to go with it! Bad memory…

Next we learnt about first person, third person, passive voice and active voice. It’s good to be learning all these notes over again because I’ve forgotten most of the stuff learnt back in secondary school!

We were then given an opening sentence to start writing a short essay within 20mins. The sentence goes like this, “Dominic puts on his hula girl outfit and enters the temple.” When we were told to start writing, I totally had no idea how to continue. I thought for quite a while before I started writing. When I was almost halfway the essay, I realised I didn’t link it to the idea of a “hula girl outfit”, and time was running out. So I simply added a few words about the “hula girl outfit”. Finally, it was sharing time. I was one of the “lucky” ones who are told to read our essay. I must say, I got my tenses all mixed up! Hopefully through his module i can brush up on my tenses!

Overall, I think this module is interesting. Well, I might be able to tell better stories next time! (:

MY LECTURE NOTES

Storytelling techniques

1) Screenplay uses 3rd person format- it presents a more immediate and urgent feel to the material.

PASSIVE VS. ACTIVE VOICE
Passive voice- uses weak verbs
– tells rather than shows what’s going on
– distances the reader from the story

Active voice- uses strong action verbs
– shows the action
– uses an immediate

TIPS FOR WRITING:
- If you have a work in progress, never stop for the night is you’re stuck
- Always solve the problem and keep going until you are in safer water. A good night’s sleep is important. Sleeping on problems is a myth
If you can’t get started on a project, start writing anyway. To do this you have to have some words to type
- It doesn’t matter what u write. You’ll soon begin to think and move in your own rhythm/pace

Note down questions you were asking yourself as you wrote it.
-Whose story am I telling?
- What is the point of this story?
- How can I engage the attention of the audience

ASSIGNMENT
-reflection
-Write 12 opening statements, ones that should let people feel creative in their writing
– James paces around the empty halfway……
– karen opens the envelope. Her hand shakes…..