Developing Artistic Writing.pdf - Brevard Public Schools

Thoughtshots
Definition: Character’s thoughts that add detail with flashbacks, flash-aheads, and internal
dialogue. Authors use thoughtshots to make their characters more interesting and believable.
Types of Thoughtshots:
Flashback: A character thinks back about something that has already happened.
Flash-Ahead: A character thinks about something that is going to happen or might happen in the
future.
Internal Dialogue: A character thinks about what is happening at that moment in the story.
Mentor Text:
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
He was scared and worried. Being helpless, he felt hopeless. He imagined all the possibilities,
and eventually he realized that his only chance of becoming himself again was for someone to
find the red pebble and to wish that the rock next to it would be a donkey. Someone would surely
find the red pebble- it was so bright and shiny- but what on earth would make them wish that a
rock were a donkey? The chance was one in a billion at best.
Appelemando’s Dreams by Patricia Polacco
All Applemando could think of were the bitter words of the elders, the people who didn’t believe
him, and try as he might, nothing would appear in his mind. There was no dream.
Jumanji by Chris VanAllsburg
Peter looked down at the game board. What if Judy rolled a seven? Then there’d be two lions.
For an instant Peter thought he was going to cry.
Other Mentor Texts:
Miss Spider’s Tea Party by David Kirk
A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Verdi by Janell Cannon
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant
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