Nat 5 Creative Writing - June 2015

Here is a list of the scenarios you came up with for your writing:
 
-      a scene in hospital                      - summer day
-      a date which goes wrong           - shoplifting
-      journey to hell                            - beach
-      hotel disaster                              - kidnap
-      endless trek                                 - fight
-      injury                                           - car crash
-      victory                                          - pregnancy
-      on the bench                               - death in Vegas
-      football                                        - magic
-      hospital scene                            - drugs
-      birthday                                      - death / suicide
-      addiction                                    - abuse
-      zombies  
 
Before you write the essay, create some of your main characters. If you know what personalities and motivations they have, the quality of your writing will be better. Keith Gray (writer / Scottish Book Trust ) suggests that, when you create characters, you should consider the following questions:

      What talent does the character have?

      What is his/her ambition?
   
      What dark secret does the character have?
     
      Who is your character’s worst enemy?
  
      What do they carry in their pockets?

      What have they lost?

      What is the character's name?


Also, remember that action is character. What they do is more important than what type of trainers or hairstyle they have...


Keith Gray also suggests that you should consider ‘conflict’ as the main driver for your story. This can take many forms, but he says that 'people with problems' are a useful starting point.


Gray says that he think of three things in planning:

1. DILEMMA
2. CONFRONTATION
3. RESOLUTION

He claims that these three steps are vital when thinking about the beginning, middle and end of a story.
 

S4 Work Experience - June 2015

You will plan a personal / reflective essay about your work experience week. The essay

will be fairly informal in style and written to make interesting reading for someone your own age. You should write approximately 400 words on this topic.

Your essay should follow this plan:

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

You might consider the following questions:

BEFORE:  How did you find out about the job?

                    Did you have any preparations to make?

                    What were your thoughts?

DURING: How did you get there?

                   What were your first impressions?

                  Who did you meet?

                  What did you do?

                  What was the best bit?

                  What was the worst bit?

AFTER:    What thoughts do you have now about the job and the workplace?

                   Did you enjoy / not enjoy it?

'Buddy' (novel) by Nigel Hinton

Hi,
All of you S3 Hinton fans. Here is a link to the first episode of the BBC TV adaptation of 'Buddy'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTz8tIN6mqI

It has Roger Daltrey of 'The Who' in it, playing the part of Terry.

BBC Bitesize on Nat 5 English

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zmcrd2p

Useful Nat 5 support page from Kilmarnock Academy

http://www.kilmarnockacademy.co.uk/staffenglishN5main.html

 

 

Information about Nat 5 from the SQA

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47410.html

Information about Nat 4 from the SQA

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47403.html

National 5 English - link to past papers - very few of them!

http://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=English&level=N5

'Visiting Hour' by Norman MacCaig

This is a SAMPLE essay. Remember that copying from the internet is PLAGIARISM.



A poem which deals with a strong emotion is ‘Visiting Hour’ by Norman MacCaig. This poem is only thirty-eight lines long and it vividly portrays a visit to a dying relative or friend in hospital.

In the first stanza, the narrator is preoccupied with the sensations experienced on visiting hospital. He describes the penetrating disinfectant smell of the hospital and how it ‘combs my nostrils’. Then he imagines these nostrils

‘…bobbing along

green and yellow corridors.’

These nostrils seem to have a life of their own and it is a curious image. The visitor clearly wants to think about anything except the visit he is due to make.

The visitor’s first encounter with a patient is when he sees a body on a trolley and uses the words, ‘What seems a corpse’. This suggested to me that the thought of death was on his mind. Also, the visitor says that the trolley ‘vanishes’ into a lift, reminding us of the suddenness with which a whole person can disappear, particularly in hospital. The final word in the stanza, ‘heavenward’, sitting on a line alone (enjambment), reminds us of the visitor’s hope that heaven is close to the hospital.

In the following stanza the visitor tries to stifle his feeling of panic about his visit. He uses repetition to say that, ‘I will not feel’. Again enjambment is used with the final phrase, ‘I have to’, to focus on the obligation which the visitor feels about his visit.

As he moves through the building, his eye is drawn to the nurses who walk

‘…lightly, swiftly,

here and up and down and there…’

His word choice and the unusual word order emphasise the actions of nursing staff busily moving around the building. I thought the words suggested that the nurses have an almost superhuman capacity, like angels. They move in three dimensions and are associated with death and departure. The narrator also sees the nurses’

‘…eyes

still clear after

so many farewells.’

This made me think that the narrator was amazed that the nurses could cope with working in an environment where death is always present.

The next stanza starts with a minor sentence. He has reached his destination – ‘Ward 7.’. His next sentence begins with the words ‘She lies’, giving us the idea that she is lying, but also that her appearance is not what he expected. The ‘white cave of forgetfulness’ in which she lies could be the white-curtained corner of the hospital, or could be a metaphor for the mental cave she is in, where she has forgotten about him because of her pain or strong drugs. Another metaphor compares the hand of the patient to a dying flower. It is ‘withered’ and it ‘trembles on its stalk’. Also, ‘a glass fang is fixed’ into her arm. This mixes imagery of vampires and death with the idea of a medical drip providing nourishment for the patient – ‘not guzzling but giving’.

The sad thing is that when the visitor has reached the bedside, he cannot speak properly with her, because of the ‘distance of pain’ between them. This metaphor reminds us that she barely knows he is there and that he is unable to communicate with her.

At the start of the final stanza the poet writes

‘She smiles a little at this

Black figure in her white cave’

I thought that this could either be the final smile of recognition or a thankful smile at a black figure who could be 'Death'. The visitor then departs ‘in the round swimming waves of a bell’. This is synaesthesia, where words normally applied to water are used to intensify the effect of the bells which ends the visit. It also suggests that his eyes have filled with tears.

The visitor is very unhappy as he departs and he leaves behind only

‘books that will not be read

and fruitless fruits.’

These unread books are useless. The ‘fruitless fruits’, left at the bedside of a woman who is only an empty shell, suggest an emotional ending to the visit.

‘Visiting Hour’ makes a big impact on the reader. It was obviously written by someone who had the experience of visiting someone dying in hospital, however, it was the word choice and the thoughtful use of poetic technique which made reading it a worthwhile experience for me.

Walt Kowalski's sacrifice sequence - 'Gran Torino' - dir. Clint Eastwood

Evening – It is dark.
Low level shot of gang’s flats. Virtually Walt’s point of view.
Reverse shot of Walt approaching flats.
Sound of crickets, dog barking and people within buildings.
Closer shot of flats. Blind moves. Smokie exits door to top of steps, followed by Spider.
Smokie and Spider’s point of view shot of Walt.

WALT
Any swamp rats in there?
Long shot from behind Walt
SMOKIE
I didn’t think your ass would have came..
WALT
Shut up, gook!

Medium shot of Smokie and Spider
Low angled long shot of Walt. Reverse shot – another door opens. Back to low angled reverse shot of Walt.

WALT
I got nothing to say to you, shrimp d**k midget like you.

Walt’s point of view of Smokie and Spider. Spider pulls his PISTOL.
Shot of someone watching from shadows of a balcony.
Low angle long shot of Walt.

WALT
Yeah, yeah. Watch out for your boyfriend

Walt’s POV of Smokie, Spider and other gang member on porch

Because it was either he or you or whoever

Low angle medium shot of Walt

raped one of your own family. Your own blood, for Christ's sake.

Walt’s POV of Smokie, etc.
Low angle medium shot of Walt pointing.

WALT
Go ahead, pull your pistols, just like miniature cowboys.

Walt’s POV of Smokie, etc.

SMOKIE
Where's Tao at, that pussy mother fu……. (Hard to hear)

Low angle medium shot of Walt

WALT
Don’t worry about Thao. Thao’s got not one second for you.

Reverse shot.
Shots of neighbours coming to windows

SMOKIE
What the f**k you goin to do, old man?

Low angle long shot of Walt. Quiet, but threatening rumble of timpani drums, as Walt reaches for a pocket. As he takes his hand out of his pocket, we see reverse shot as Smokie and other gang member draw guns.
Walt slowly puts a cigarette in his mouth. Even this slight movement has the gang waving their pistols around.
Low angle long shot of Walt.


WALT
Kinda jumpy, aren’t we?

Reverse shot

SPIDER
Shut the f**k up!.

Low angle medium shot of Walt, lifting his finger as a ‘pistol’.

WALT
No you shut the f**k up!

Military drum beat is heard – as in earlier sequences.
Reverse shot of porch.
Low angle medium shot of Walt, lifting his finger as a ‘pistol’ and pointing it in different directions.
Walt’s point of view shots of several balconies.
Low angle medium shot of Walt, lifting his cigarette to his mouth.

WALT
You got a light?
Reverse shot of porch.
Long shot of respectable looking woman beckoning her husband to a window to witness what is happening.
Low angle medium shot of Walt putting cigarette in mouth and lifting his right hand. Zooming slightly. Orchestral strings play to raise tension. Volume increasing.

WALT
No? Me, I’ve got a light.

Walt’s POV of porch.
Low angle medium shot of Walt lifting his right hand. Zooming in slightly.
Walt’s POV medium shot of Smokie and Spider on porch.

WALT
(quietly)Hail Mary, full of grace.

Walt putting hand inside jacket.
Close up of hand going into jacket.
Reverse shot.
Close up of hand going into jacket.
Reverse shot.
Medium shot of Walt pulling hand quickly from jacket.
Reverse shot of gang firing guns repeatedly. Music stops. Only sound is gunfire.
Medium shot of Walt’s torso taking bullets. Medium shot of Walt’s back as the bullets exit.
Shots of other gang members firing too.
Slightly longer shot of Walt shaking as the bullets enter.
Slow motion medium shots of Walt falling. Shooting stops.
As Walt falls, strange ‘whoosh’ sound and sound of his body hitting the ground in slow motion.
Medium shot of Walt from ground level. He is lying on his back. Camera to Walt’s rhs. He makes final sigh. Hand in foreground opens. His army lighter is revealed by his opening hand and a drop of blood drip out of the end of his sleeve. He had no gun.
High angle shot of hand, then camera pans across him and twists upwards to some height. During this, mournful, haunting ‘Gran Torino’ theme(piano and male voice) is heard.
As the camera rises above Walt, we see that he is lying in a ‘crucifix’ position. He has ‘sacrificed’ himself. It is almost as if the rising camera is lifting with Walt’s ‘spirit’ to heaven.

The sequence ends with the flashing lights of a police car attending the scene shortly afterwards.

'Spring Offensive' by Wilfred Owen

Here are some links to useful revision sites for this poem:

http://www.wilfredowen.org.uk/poetry/spring-offensive

http://war-time-poems.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/wilfred-owen-spring-offensive.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH8QpeqqrGs

How to use PUNCTUATION MARKS

This link provides a reminder of some of the uses of punctuation marks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDjpCoC0fK4

How to use the APOSTROPHE

Here is a useful link for any of you unclear about how to use the APOSTROPHE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNSVOsgMum0

'Spring Offensive' by Wilfred Owen

‘Seven Sentence Summary’

1 Just before the battle, some rested, some stared into the future.

2 They enjoyed the sensations of spring and it soothed their fears.

3 They thought about their journey through a valley to the front line.

4 They were told to get ready, but there was little noise or excitement.

5 They ran forwards and the enemy started shooting at them.

6 Some say God caught the soldiers who were killed.

7 The soldiers who fought ferociously don’t want to speak about the

friends they have lost.

' A Time to Dance' by Bernard McLaverty

TASK:

By referring closely to a short story you know well, explain how the author has created a character you feel some sympathy for.

Why do you feel sorry for Nelson?

Follow the same template as usual – Write the introduction. Mention text, writer, genre, give very brief summary and address task. Then use the PEAR plan method. Finish with a conclusion in which you write something positive about the text.

Below is a link to a short video commentary:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/scottish-short-stories-bernard-maclaverty-a-time-to-dance/4715.html

'Disabled' by Wilfred Owen

Below is a link to the poem:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/disabled/

Task:

By referring closely to the language and techniques used by Wilfred Owen, explain the powerful message of the poem, ‘Disabled’.

Hints:

· Mention the poet as you explain a point.

e.g. In the next stanza, Owen describes the way in which….

Owen used this vocabulary to emphasise…

Owen’s clever use of imagery here…

· Always identify techniques such as word choice, imagery, alliteration, etc.

· Make sure that you express a personal point of view about the writing.

e.g. From this description it was clear to me that…

I thought that Owen…

PLAN – here are some suggestions for your essay. Remember, you may write about other points as well.

Introduction - mention writer, text, genre. Include very brief summary and address task.

PEAR paragraph 1 - Stanza 1

1 Where is the boy sitting at the start of the poem?

2 How were his clothes described?

3 Was this a pleasant description?

4 For what other reason did you feel sorry for him? Use words from the text to explain ideas.

PEAR paragraph 2 - Stanza 2

5 What does he remember about the old days and think he will miss?

6 How do the girls treat him now?

7 How does this make you feel?

PEAR paragraph 3 - Stanza 3

8 What do you find out about the way the boy used to look?

9 Where did he suffer his injuries?

10 How does the poet describe the injuries?

PEAR paragraph 4 - Stanza 4

11 When did he like to have blood smeared down his leg? Why?

12 What was he doing before he joined the army?

13 What did he sign up for? Who did he want to impress?

14 When he thought about the army, what did he think about, rather than the Germans and Austrians who would try to kill him?

15 How do you think he felt when he left for the war? What sort of send off did he get?

PEAR paragraph 5 - Stanza 5

16 In what way was it different when he came home?

17 Who came to see him then?

PEAR paragraph 6 - Stanza 6

18 Where does he live now and what sort of things does he have to look forward to?

19 How do the women treat him now?

20 What does he want to happen now?

21 Having learned about his past, how do you feel for him now?

Conclusion – mention name text, writer, genre again. Make final positive comments about the power of the poet’s message.

There is further information on the poet here:

http://wilfredowen.org.uk/home/



Wilfred Owen's grave at Ors

'Gran Torino' dir. Clint Eastwood

Some class paragraphs:
The main character, Walt Kowalski, shows that he does not get on with his family early in the movie. This is shown when Walt’s granddaughter asks for his Gran Torino and his couch for her dorm at college. After this, you see his family trying to get more things. This is shown during the phone call between Walt and his son, when his son asks if Walt still knows the person who gets tickets for the football. This gives the impression that his sons only use him for the stuff he owns. I feel this gave a lot of detail about the relationship between Walt and his sons.

Walt is quite a self-centred person, as his family do not like him, his wife died and no one around the neighbourhood is like him. He also is not very pleasant to others. As the neighbourhood has been taken over by Hmong people and because he fought in Korea, he was disrespectful towards them. He spat on the old woman’s porch to show this. He also uses racist language, calling them ‘fish heads’ and he calls Thao ‘Toad’. In one part he pulls out his pretend gun in front of a gang of Hmong, to frighten them. Tao sees Walt as a role model in the end and is given his beloved Gran Torino.

During the film, Walt changes his feelings for the Hmong people. At the start of the film, Walt is completely against their race. He is a bigot and a racist. He is also not afraid to use violence to get his own way. A point which proves this occurs during one of the many action scenes, when people from this other race stumble onto his lawn and break his gnomes. Walt comes out with a gun and threatens to shoot the Hmong and says, ‘In Korea we used to stack f**ks like you five foot high and use you as sandbags.’ This part of the film is very effective because it allows the viewers to understand what Walt has been through in his past. It also shows that he is not afraid to use violence and, in the end, is not afraid to die for the sake of his new found friends, who were previously his enemies.

The movie is set in Detroit, Michigan. Walt’s house is an old style wooden house with an American flag hanging outside. He is also very house proud, as you see him doing chores around the house and cleaning his garden. This could be down to his military days, where he was made to clean and look his best. His neighbourhood is dirty and untidy and he is surrounded by families who have moved into the area from elsewhere. Walt’s habits, which are noticed throughout the movie, are that he always cleans his Gran Torino and drinks beer on his porch, while his dog sits and stares into the street. He is also very proud of his workshop, where has collected fifty years worth of tools and he knows exactly how to use them. Therefore, you can tell that Walt is a very old-fashioned stereotype of an American.

Walt is 78. He starts off at the start of the movie quite healthy. He then starts coughing up blood more often as the film progresses. He goes to hospital, after three years of not going. The Hmong characters notice that he is coughing up blood and become concerned, but Walt tells them not to mind. Walt then get results back from the hospital showing that he has lung cancer, so Walt tries to form a relationship with his sons, but they are not interested.

A scene which marks a particular turning-point in the film is when Thao takes command when moving the freezer – after Walt had reluctantly asked for help.

Walt realised who his true friends were after the attack and rape of Sue. After the shootout, he ran to help his Hmong neighbours, because he cared for them. After seeing Sue in that state, he lost his temper and smashed the glass cabinets and cupboards.

The climax of the movie is a scene which shows Walt’s turning point from a racist to a hero of the Hmong people. In this scene Walt makes the most extreme sacrifice – his life. In doing so, Walt is violently shot down by the Hmong gang. This leads to them being taken to prison, which, in turn, means that Thao and Sue can have a peaceful future. Eastwood has chosen this scene, because it shows the change in Walt’s racist beliefs.

The barber shop scene in the movie is when we see Walt become a role model to Thao. He takes Thao to the barber’s to try and toughen him up. Walt is showing Tao how to talk like a man by showing him how to ‘banter’ with the barber, then letting Thao have a shot at it. Thao fails in his first attempt and is sent back out to try again. This is when Walt first looks to become a father figure to Thao. This scene creates a humorous effect, but there is a strong message of friendship too.

In early scenes in the movie, Thao is seen asking Walt for help. An important turning-point in Walt’s relationship with his Hmong neighbours is when Walt goes to ask Tao for help in carrying a heavy freezer. This shows that a once independent man is having to swallow his pride and ask for help, because he is no longer able. It also tells the viewer that Walt is now accepting Tao’s friendship, because he never asks for his own family’s help. This scene is a mirror image of earlier scenes, when Tao appears at Walt’s door asking for help. A quotation in the film which proves this is when Tao says, ‘Now listen, old man, either I take the top, or I am going home.’ It shows that Walt is needing help and is a bit vulnerable at this point in the film.

During the film there is a racist theme. This is shown in the scene when Tao comes to Walt’s door asking for jump leads. Walt turns him away, saying he doesn’t have any. Later in the same sequence we see Walt using his own jump leads. The camera shows several point of view shots during their conversation. Then the camera shows Walt using the leads on his own car. This is the first time that you notice Walt’s racism and his past beliefs.