“Suspense Street” Assignment

1. “Suspense Street” Assignment Here is the Suspense Street Story writing assignment from last class- write this in your R.L.N.  A) Brainstorm methods used to create suspense: characters working against a deadline; conflict; readers knowing more than the characters; characters experiencing moments of doubt or confusion; slowing down the moment when the main character is in doubt; using sensory details to create an air of mystery; adding an element of surprise. B) Standard/objective/goal of the lesson: - Standard: Write fictional narratives that create suspense through movement, gestures, and sensory details. - Objective: Students will learn how to create suspense by slowing down a moment to include sensory details. - Goal: Students will write a short scene packed with suspense. C) Prompt: You will create a short suspenseful narrative that uses sensory details to explore what a character is thinking, feeling, and experiencing during a moment of doubt.  D) Guided Practice: Begin with this (everyone gets the same starter sentence, copy this into your R.L.N.): “He (or she) thought he heard someone in the house.” E) Next, use these suggestions below in this order to prompt, or cue your writing: a) What was the disturbing sound he heard? b) What was the character thinking? Write down a question that was going through his mind? c) What did the character smell that was out of the ordinary? d) What memory did the scent remind him of?

2. “Suspense Street” Assignment e) Connect that memory to the present moment. f) Have the character notice something different in the house, something also out of the ordinary. g) Raise another question in the character’s mind. h) What does this character really want to do right now? Perhaps he is afraid to do it … i) Have the character do something, take action. j) Put an obstacle in his path; make him retreat for a breath. k) Go back to the memory again and let it give him the courage to go forward. l) Let the character move closer to the disturbing sound/scent/sight. m) Let the character discover what’s really going on. Perhaps it’s nothing to sweat about, or maybe it is …