1 / 5

Author Mentors

Using Writers to Improve Your Writing

2 / 5

Shaping Writing

Mechanics

Techniques

Conventions

Writing Choices

Editing

Punctuation,

Grammar,

Spelling,

Sentence Structure,

Paragraphs

Write a bad example of each of the following:

Also called ‘Literary Devices’, these are figurative, persuasive, and sound-based techniques used to make an impact on the reader

List some examples.

Word choice,

Point of View,

Tense,

Themes,

Being conscious of controlling how the reader sees your text

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Pick one below and discuss why it’s important.

The motifs or recurring elements that help the reader identify the type or genre of text

Give an example.

Re-reading,

Drafting,

Sharing for Feedback, Examining Criteria,

Polishing

Pick one of your previous answers and re-write it using one of the methods below:

The structures used when writing

3 / 5

Extract #2

Read the extract and then consider some of the elements that have been used (these are picked out on the right hand of this slide)

Find and highlight the following punctuation:

  • Comma
  • Dash
  • Colon
  • Capitalisation of a proper noun

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What reason is each one used for?

Mechanics

Explain the impact of the following techniques used by the writer:

  • Repetition of the word “everyday” three times in one sentence.
  • The irony/dark humour of the line “Occasionally, his teeth fell out”
  • The metaphor “Eyeing (…) with venom”.

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Techniques

4 / 5

Recognising Conventions

Writers use various conventions when writing in their chosen genre. A reader’s familiarity with these conventions (also called motifs) allows them to better understand the ideas or style of the story.

Motif #3

A less-than-heroic lead character

The ‘hero’ wakes up with a hangover and seems annoyed by most things – the bottle of alcohol, the mosquitos, the lack of wind.

Motif #2

Blood

Revealing that the puddle is blood rather than the expected vomit or water.

Motif #1

Depressing Setting

People ‘down on their luck’, tap that has run dry, mosquitos, avenues ‘rammed’ with cars.

Copy the motifs to

the right and pick the genre that applies to all of them together:

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  • Comedy
  • Crime
  • Romance
  • Science

Fiction

5 / 5

Writing Choices

1. What is the impact of using particular verbs?

2. Whose point of view is the text written from?

3. How does the writer want the reader to think of the main character?

4. How does the writer want the reader to think of the setting?

5. What would you change if you wanted to introduce some more drama in the first paragraph?

The Transmigration of Bodies

Verbs:

Note the following verbs that were used by the writer in the extract:

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Trickled, scamper, cricked, dreaming, managed, fell, buzzing, tethering, attempting, rammed, leaned, sucking, blew.