Section outline

  • EXPLORE / TŪHURA

    EXPLORE / TŪHURA learning intentions:

      • We are FOCUSING by viewing and reading short and extended texts based on the context of sustainability.
      • We are FOCUSING by unpacking themes and messages, conflict, character development and how setting (time, place and circumstances impact on the choices individuals make in life.

    Understanding the Relationship Between Plot, Character, and Story — By Britton Perelman

     Plot

    Check out the different styles of plot in your novel.

    Create a plot diagram for your novel to add to your OnePager later.

    The components of plot are like puzzle pieces. If you want your reader to see the final picture, you need to see the shape of each component and fit them into their proper place.

    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

    Also known as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to those familiar with the U.K. version.

    • Exposition: We’re introduced to the Dursleys and to Harry, our protagonist and main character.
    • Inciting Incident: Harry is sent a letter that, we learn later, accepts him into Hogwarts, an academy of magic, sending the Dursleys, who deny the existence of magic, into a fit, and causing Mr. Dursley to confiscate the letters.
    • Rising action/progressive complications: We meet Hagrid who puts an end to the Dursley’s reign of terror; we go shopping for school supplies; we learn about Voldemort; we arrive in Hogwarts; and there’s a troll loose in the dungeons. Our heroes realize that all the strange things happening in Hogwarts have to do with Voldemort.
    • Dilemma: do Harry and his friends go into the dungeon to save the sorcerer’s stone and risk possible death and almost certain expulsion, or do they turn back and allow Voldemort to capture the stone and return to full strength.
    • Climax: Aye Calamity, (SPOILER, if you somehow haven’t read this book) it’s Quirrel! All the conflict and questions have led to this point; we see Ron’s skills with chess and Hermione’s unusual intelligence combined with Harry’s flying skills to lead to this amazing moment, in which Harry has to make a choice: to side with evil and possibly get his parents back, or choose to continue to suffer that grief and fight the evil bad guy.
    • Resolution: Harry wakes up in the hospital wing. The major issue of the story was addressed in the climax, but now, Dumbledore wraps up the few loose ends, tells Harry what happened after, and shares some of the consequences of Harry’s decisions. (“What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally the whole school knows” is one of my favourite lines in any book ever.) Oh, and the Gryffindors Win Everything. Then, he’s heading back home, looking forward to next year, and while there are still questions and challenges ahead of him, enough has been resolved that the reader can put the book down with a contented sigh. (Or in my case, turn right back to page one and start again. Ahem.) Harry’s new normal has been established.

    See Google Classroom for the Slide Presentation.

    For extra reading, see https://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/basic-plots.html




    Next week, we start with oral language/speeches.

    Your speech will be based on our whanau context, 'Effective Systems for Sustainable Living'.

    Here is an image on sustainability to get yourself thinking about some interesting topics.


    What do we mean by sustainability? 


    Sustainability is all about making sure our needs are met in the present while also making sure future generations' needs are met. So you can interpret the theme of sustainability in many different ways!; for example, it could be related to a personal journey, whānau, society, economics, the environment, or many more sustainability themes. Watching winning films on our website may help give you ideas.