INTRODUCTION TO LET THEM WRITE Messages from the authors How to implement this program The aims and objectives of this program How to implement Let Them Read Writing a literary essay The aims and objectives of Let Them Read Setting up a writer-friendly classroom Authors need a writing plan Publishing students' work NCCS Anchors addressed SECTION 1: CREATING CHARACTERS SKILL 1: INTRODUCING A CHARACTER As young authors practice describing characters to create a specific first impression for the reader, they will become more observant about the people around them. SKILL 2: POSITIVE CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS Student authors will learn about and practice creating an appealing character through the purposeful selection of descriptive detail. In the process, they will gain a better understanding of their own reasons for reacting positively to other people. SKILL 3: NEGATIVE CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS Student authors will learn about and practice selecting character details that will make an immediate negative impression on the reader. In the process, they may come to realize the importance of first impressions in real life. SKILL 4: CREATING GOOD GUYS AND BAD GUYS Using Personality Traits Student authors practice ways to make the hero(ine) a more sympathetic (likable) character than the villain(ess) of a story, in the process gaining a deeper understanding of human behavior. SKILL 5: WRITING FROM A POINT OF VIEW As students practice adopting a character's point of view, they will come to understand that there are different sides to every story, in real life as well as in fiction. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 1--EVEN MICE HAVE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW chart CCR 1A--TRY YOUR OWN FABLE chart CCR 2-DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW chart SKILL 6: WRITING FROM AN UNUSUAL POINT OF VIEW Student authors practice personifying a variety of inanimate objects and writing from their point of view. In the process, both students and readers may gain a new perspective on a part of their life. SECTION 2: DEEPENING CHARACTERIZATION SKILL 1: CHARACTERS HAVE EMOTIONS As students practice choosing verb synonyms, letting a character's actions reveal his or her emotional state, they will gain a deeper appreciation of word connotations and an awareness of the word choices they make in everyday life. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 3--CHARACTERS HAVE EMOTIONS Chart SKILL 2: AVOIDING STEREOTYPES Student authors will learn and practice ways to avoid the use of story-weakening stereotypical characters. In the process they will become more aware of the damaging effects of stereotyping in real life. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 4--STEREOTYPES WITH A TWIST SKILL 3: BUILDING A CHARACTER'S PHYSICAL DIMENSION Students will learn how to make a character more realistic for the reader by describing how the character takes up physical space and has an impact on his or her surroundings. SKILL 4: SHOWING HOW CHARACTERS ARE AFFECTED BY THE SETTING Student authors will learn and practice how to enhance the realism of a story by describing their characters' reactions to elements of the setting. In the process, students may become more aware of the reactions of others to real-life settings. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 5-CHARACTER AFFECTED BY SETTING SKILL 5: BUILDING A CHARACTER'S EMOTIONAL DIMENSION As they practice showing the reader that a character has human feelings, students may increase their ability to 'read' the emotions being expressed by others in real life. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 6--EMOTIONAL DIMENSION BUILDS A CHARACTER Chart CCR 7-EMOTIONAL DIMENSION Chart SKILL 6: REVEALING A CHARACTER'S PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSION Students will practice writing a character's thought-revealing dialogue and internal monologue in order to enhance the realism of the character. In the process, students may become more skilled at expressing their own thoughts and feelings. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 8--WHAT RUNS THROUGH YOUR MIND? CCR 9-PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSION Chart SECTION 3: CHARACTERS AND DIALOGUE SKILL 1: USING DIALOGUE TO REVEAL CHARACTER INFORMATION As student authors practice writing revealing dialogue for created characters, they may become more aware of the ways in which people reveal themselves to others in everyday life. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 10--WHAT'S MY LINE? SKILL 2: USING DIALOGUE TO REVEAL A CHARACTER'S REACTION TO A SETTING Students will practice writing dialogue, in the process becoming aware of its usefulness as a tool to enhance the realism of a story setting. SKILL 3: USING DIALOGUE TO REVEAL A CHARACTER'S BACKGROUND Students will practice writing dialogue, in the process becoming aware of its usefulness as a tool to reveal such things as place of origin, level of education, and so on about the character speaking. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 11--CHARACTERS BACKGROUND SHEET SKILL 4: USING DIALOGUE TO REVEAL A CHARACTER'S STORY GOALS As they practice writing dialogue, student authors will become adept at using it to reveal their characters' goals to the reader. Reproducibles/Media: CCR 12--CHARACTERS AND PURPOSES
