Creative writing - World Book Day

secondary
lesson plan 5
Creative writing
Objectives
To help pupils undertake a range of creative writing inspired by the World Book Day
short stories.
resources
• Pupils should have had access to read in advance AT LEAST ONE OF the exclusive short stories on
the WORLD BOOK DAY YA APP or another text by one of the World Book Day authors
• Accompanying worksheet (which can be downloaded from www.worldbookday.com/resources/
schools/secondary-schools)
introduction
This final lesson plan and accompanying worksheet aim to repeat and consolidate some of the themes and
activities featured across the range of World Book Day resources. Individual short stories can be used to
generate various kinds of creative writing, and students who haven’t read those particular works can adapt
each task to fiction they already know.
Ask students to share with the rest of the class the titles, names of writers, genres and themes of the World
Book Day short stories they have read.
• Do the narratives convey everything a reader wants to know, or are some of them deliberately vague and
inconclusive?
• Did the writers tie-up all loose ends, or leave you speculating about what might really have happened?
We usually read for entertainment and enjoyment, but sometimes there is more going on in our imagination
than in the plot we’re following. Other people’s writing can prompt an abundance of creativity.
Find other lesson plans based on the exclusive short stories on the WORLD BOOK DAY YA APP
at www.worldbookday.com/resources/schools/secondary-schools

starter activities
1.
2.
With their World Book Day short stories in mind, ask students to think of any aspects that left them still
wondering once the story had been read. Were there characters they would have liked to know more about?
Invite pupils to write down three quandaries or questions about plot details or characters in their short
story, which remained unanswered. These might be points they would choose to put to the author. Short
stories are tricky to write because there is little room to fit in a lot of detail, so writers can intentionally
decide to leave people and situations open to interpretation. They may welcome their readers engaging
in fantasy. Once students have raised a few questions and noted some unfinished business in their
narrative, they can try to find answers from their own imagination.
development
The main assignment pupils will be working towards is either a story of their own, which will be invented
completely from scratch, or a continuation of one of the short stories with ends that need tying-up. For
whichever option, students should complete a series of preparation exercises, which will enhance the quality
and richness of their final piece of writing. Whether pupils choose to write something totally original or
extend part of their chosen short story, they will need to work on the following:
• Genre
Which genre will their story fit? They are free to alter the genre of their influential short story to suit
their own imagination.
• Character profiles
Who will be their main characters? Before beginning their creative writing, ask students to invent at
least one leading protagonist and develop a profile for him/her. This should include name, age, where
he/she is from, appearance, skills, family relationships, other significant people in his/her life and
similar details that may be of relevance or interest.
• Plot timelines
Students will need to think about plots and timelines before starting their piece of fiction. Completing
a horizontal or vertical plot timeline should help them decide the chronological order of their action.
• Opening paragraph
Opening paragraphs are significant because they establish a lot of information in a limited number
of words, and hook readers from the outset. It is worth pupils working and re-working the beginning
of a story, in order to make it as effective as they can. The genre, setting, main characters and writing
style should be established from the start.
All of these tasks are development activities to prompt inventiveness. However, no decisions need be final.
Students can change anything at any time, as long as alterations and corrections are consistent.
Find other lesson plans based on the exclusive short stories on the WORLD BOOK DAY YA APP
at www.worldbookday.com/resources/schools/secondary-schools

Main Exercise
Bearing all the Development activities in mind, students should undertake an extended piece of creative
writing. This can incorporate plot details, characters and other aspects of a short story they have read, or be
a completely new piece of fiction. Even if pupils write an original tale, they can draw on examples of good
practice from the short story they chose to read. They need to:
• select a genre
• plan their plot
• create convincing characters
• write a powerful opening paragraph
• keep their writing style interesting, clear and engaging
Plenary
• Ask pupils to reflect on what they have learnt about writing stories.
• Encourage them to read their opening paragraphs to each other and assess their effectiveness. Is it
easy to spot the genre? Does the start of the story successfully set the scene and leave the audience
wanting more?
Key Stage 3 English Curriculum
(AF = Assessment Focus)
This scheme of work supports the following areas of the curriculum:
READING
AF3 Deduce, infer or interpret information, events or ideas from texts.
WRITING
AF1 Write imaginative, interesting and thoughtful texts.
AF2 Produce texts which are appropriate to task, reader and purpose.
AF3 Organise and present whole texts effectively.
AF4 Construct paragraphs and use cohesion within and between paragraphs.
AF5 Vary sentences for clarity, purpose and effect.
AF7 Select appropriate and effective vocabulary.
It is also suitable for library lessons and will complement the Accelerated Reader Programme.
Find other lesson plans based on the exclusive short stories on the WORLD BOOK DAY YA APP
at www.worldbookday.com/resources/schools/secondary-schools

secondary
worksheet 5
Writing stories
Imagine that!
• Short stories are tricky to write because there is little room to include many details. Authors
often deliberately choose to leave some characters and situations open to interpretation.
• Think carefully about the World Book Day short story you have read. Are there any loose ends?
• Write down three questions about plot details or characters in your short story, which remained
unanswered at the end.
• Now use your imagination to speculate and suggest your own explanations for those
predicaments.
Pulling stories together
You are working towards writing a story of your own, or continuing one you have already
read. For whichever option, there are preparation exercises to do and you’ll need to make
some decisions:
• Choosing a genre Which genre will your story fit? You are free to alter the genre of your
influential short story. Use your imagination. Anything goes!
• Character Profiles Who will be your main characters? Invent at least one leading hero/
heroine and develop a profile for him/her (this can include name, age, where he/she is from,
appearance, skills, family relationships, other significant people in his/her life and any other
relevant details).
• Plot Timelines Think about your plot and timeline. Try completing a horizontal or vertical
‘plot timeline’, to sort out the chronological order of your action.
• Opening Paragraph Opening paragraphs have to establish a lot of information in a
limited number of words and hook the reader from the outset. You will need to establish your
genre, setting, main characters and writing style from the very beginning. Work and re-work
the start of your story and make it as effective as you can.
All of these tasks will help you prepare for your story writing. You can change planned
ideas at any time, as long as alterations are consistent.
join
Creative writing
• Developing the ideas you began in the Pulling stories together activities, now have a go at
undertaking an extended piece of creative writing. This can incorporate plot details, characters
and other aspects of a short story you have read, or be a completely new piece of fiction.
• You must select the genre, plan the plot, create convincing characters, write a powerful opening
paragraph and keep your writing style interesting, clear and engaging throughout.
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