Continuation Writing
杨晓平
I. Learning objectives
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. analyze basic elements of the short story and summarize the plot;
2. develop the skill of predicting future plot based on the given story;
3. better appreciate the language style in the story and imitate it to write a reasonable ending;
4. have a better understanding of the standards of a good ending”.
II. Key competence focus
1. Analyze the plot and theme of the short story.
2. Imitate the language style of the story to write a reasonable ending.
IV. Teaching procedures
Step 1 Analyze the steps of continuation writing.
Step 2 Analyze the plot and explore the theme of the story.
1. Students are encouraged to read the story to understand its plot.
2. Several students are asked to report their discovery.
Read for the plot: How the story begins
who |
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what |
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when/where |
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how |
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why |
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3. Students read the story again.
Read for the emotions: How the story develops
1). How did Poppy feel when she came into the house without the boy living there?
2). How does the writer describe Poppy's feelings?
3). What did the parents do to cure Poppy's “love-sickness”?
4). Did the methods work?
5). What details lead you to think so?
6). What do you think is the theme of the story?
Step 3 Design a Logical plot
1. Students read the given two sentences in the following paragraphs.
Focus on the given sentence of paragraph 2 first, because some information in it must be mentioned in paragraph 1.
Dad opened the box and a sweet little dog appeared.
A few weeks later, the boy arrived home from university.
2. Students think independently about who would be involved in the following paragraphs and discuss in groups later.
3. Students think independently about what they would do in the following paragraphs and discuss in groups later.
4. Group discussion.
What kind of ending would you prefer for this story?
(Tips: Be well connected to the given passage and the beginnings of the two paragraphs.
Be well organized .
Make sure the story develops logically and reasonably.
Never ignore the basic tone of the article.）
Step 4 Write vividly
1. Discuss in groups about how to write vividly.
2. Appreciate the language style of the given story.
Students discuss in groups about the writing style of the follow sentences.
1) He stood up, hugged his parents, and smiled, trying not to let his emotions get the better of him.
2) The family hugged and smiled through misty eyes and then laughed.
3) The house seemed quiet as a tomb without the boy living there.
4) All that week, Poppy didn't seem interested in her dinner, her favorite toy, or even in her daily walk.
5) It didn't take long before they walked through the front door carrying a big box.
6) Her tail began wagging ever so slowly, then faster as she caught the smell.
3. Students write individually.
4. Students polish up their work according to the standards on the screen.
Step 5 Presentation
Appreciate several articles of the students.
Students are encouraged to make remarks on the articles.
Step 6. Summary
Summarize what has been learnt today together.
Step 7. Assignment
1. Please proofread your writing from the following four aspects: punctuation, spelling, grammar and choices of words.
2. Exchange your writing with your friends and give possible suggestions on the plot and language.
