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SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER

Module II: Sponges and Writers
Teacher Facilitation Guide

The following curriculum materials are designed to be used with the Achievement Television program So You Want To Be a Writer. VHS tapes of the program can be ordered through the Gift Shop of the Academy of Achievement web site.

Program Overview
The second Module focuses on Tom Clancy's advice to students to become "sponges" as a key to writing well. Students develop this idea as they explore the different ways non-writing experiences can serve as inspiration and material for original stories.

Viewing/Facilitation Strategies

• Introduce the Pre-Viewing Activity to the entire class. After students complete the Story Banner activity, allow time for them to share their ideas.
• View video segment II and if time allows immediately break into groups for the Group Activity.
• During a following class period, have the telecast available for review. Ask students to select a Curriculum Connection Activity to complete independently or with a partner.
• Assign the Research Project as a class requirement or as an optional independent project.

Student Academic Standards

• Uses reading skills and strategies to understand a variety of literary passages and texts (e.g., fiction, nonfiction, myths, poems, fantasies, biographies, autobiographies, science fiction, tall tales, mysteries supernatural tales)
• Knows the defining characteristics of a variety of literary forms and genres (e.g., fiction, nonfiction, myths, plays, poems, journalistic writing, fantasies, biographies, autobiographies, science fiction, tall tales, supernatural tales)
• Understands complex elements of plot development.
• Understands elements of character development (e.g., character traits and motivations; stereotypes; relationships between character and plot development; development of characters through their words, speech patterns, thoughts, actions, narrator's description, and interaction with other characters; how motivations are revealed)
• Reflects on what has been learned after reading and formulates ideas, opinions, and personal responses to texts.

Student Activities

Pre-Viewing Activity:
After a class discussion about sources for story ideas, students individually complete a story banner activity that challenges them to further develop an original story idea.

Group Activity
In small groups, students explore how a variety of careers can lead to story ideas.

Curriculum Connections Activities
Reading: John Grisham­ Read to Write Creative Writing: Sponge for a Day Research Project: Students research strategies authors use to create interesting and memorable characters.

Research Project
Students research how author's childhood and life experiences impact the content and themes of their novels.

Terms to Discuss

• Intellectual
• Published
• Discourse
• Elegant
• Accumulate
• Assimilate
• Extensively