Developing Artistic Writing.pdf - Brevard Public Schools

ADD … Drama!
Objective: Students will effectively use ellipsis in their writing to add a dramatic pause and
build suspense.
Anticipatory Set: Read one of the mentor texts that illustrate ellipsis and how, when used in
writing, it adds to the suspense of a story.
Modeling: Read portions of Night Noises by Mem Fox pointing out the ellipses that build
suspense. For example, “Butch Aggie’s throat rumbled … but Lily Laceby went on dreaming.
Hands tried to turn doorknobs. Butch Aggie bared her teeth … but Lily Laceby went on
dreaming.”
Guided Practice: Create index cards: half of them will have beginnings with ellipsis and half
of them will have endings. The class will be broken into two groups. Each student will receive a
card with either a beginning or an ending. The goal will be for the students to pair up with their
respective half and create a dramatic sentence.
The sirens were blaring…
My mom was furious…
I jumped up and down with joy…
there was a tornado on its way.
the vase lay shattered on the floor.
I received an A on my spectacular project!
Independent Practice: Using the sentence they created with their partner, students will write a
“quick write” utilizing the dramatic sentence as the topic. A quick write is when the student
quickly writes (10-15 minutes) and does not move through the writing process. The student may
take any quick write and take it through the process at a later date.
Publishing/Sharing: Students will share their stories with their partners and with the entire
class. Students can also select previous writing pieces and add ellipsis to enhance the drama and
suspense.
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