Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

B2-C1

Creative Writing: Mastering the Art of Storytelling

Skillshare

2,032 views 9 months ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear the phrase “mastering the art of storytelling,” what skills do you think a writer needs?
Do you prefer stories that are plot-driven (lots of events) or character-driven (focused on feelings and change)? Why?
What kind of story would you like to write one day (fantasy, romance, realistic, mystery, etc.)?

Up Next

How to Plan the Perfect Event – The Event Expert Chris Powell, The Event Expert
Inside the Assassination of John F. Kennedy | The President Has Been Shot | History Vault Exclusive HISTORY
Coral Reefs 101 | National Geographic National Geographic
Giant's Causeway | National Geographic National Geographic
An Art Movement Built on Ancestral Wisdom | Jackie Lebo | TED TED

Start With: Word Definition

Order: Alphabetical Random

…

Creative Writing: Mastering the Art of Storytelling

Getting inspired + plotting vs. “pancing” + basic story structure (00:00 – 07:45)

Transcript will load here…

1. What does the speaker suggest you do if you notice you read a lot of one kind of book (e.g., dragon books)?

Only write non-fiction to practice style
Avoid writing that topic because it’s too common
Copy the plot and change the character names
Try writing a story in that kind of genre/topic

2. In the video, what is a “pancer”?

Someone who writes by the seat of their pants
Someone who only writes poetry
Someone who edits before drafting
Someone who outlines every detail before writing

3. Which list matches the five basic parts of story structure described?

Hook, setting, dialogue, theme, epilogue
Character, plot, setting, point of view, tone
Prologue, conflict, twist, sequel, moral
Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Creative Writing: Mastering the Art of Storytelling

Writer’s block + writing with purpose (“the why”) + rhetoric (07:45 – 12:25)

Transcript will load here…

1. If you’re worried your writing isn’t good enough, what does the speaker recommend?

Stop writing until you feel confident
Keep writing because editing bad writing is easier than editing nothing
Restart the story from the beginning every time
Only read other people’s work and don’t write

2. What does the speaker warn happens when writing has no clear purpose?

It becomes impossible to revise
It becomes too short to understand
It becomes aimless words that leave the reader confused about the point
It always becomes too emotional and biased

3. In the rhetorical appeals mentioned, what is “logos” about?

Emotional appeal—making the reader care
Style—using beautiful words
Ethics—being honest and true
Logic—making sure the ideas make sense

Creative Writing: Mastering the Art of Storytelling

Story components + plot vs. story + exercises to build tension and structure (12:25 – 25:49)

Transcript will load here…

1. What activity does the speaker suggest to help you see story components in a new way?

Delete any components you don’t like immediately
Cut the worksheet components into cards and lay them out
Write only dialogue for every component
Memorize the components in alphabetical order

2. According to the video, how is plot different from story?

Plot focuses on why/how things happen; story is a series of events you can summarize
Plot is only for action genres; story is only for quiet genres
Plot is a summary of events; story is about causality
Plot is the moral; story is the characters

3. What is one key instruction for writing a quick “movie treatment” in the exercise?

Think like a camera and use action/physical verbs
Write it entirely in questions
Write it in 60 minutes with no timer
Include long internal monologues and backstory details

Creative Writing: Mastering the Art of Storytelling

Transcript will load here…

1. What is the main message about finding ideas from stories you love?

Copy the best stories closely, because that’s how beginners learn
Avoid popular books, because they block creativity
Identify what you like and create your own twist instead of copying
Only write what you have personally experienced

2. Why does the video emphasize identifying “the why” of your writing?

Because purpose is only important in fiction
Because purpose replaces the need for plot
Because every piece must be relatable to everyone
Because purpose helps guide choices and helps the reader understand what to take away

3. Which best describes a practical way the video suggests creating tension?

Avoid showing conflict so the story feels calm
Pit a character’s inside goal and outside goal against each other to force a decision
Add more adjectives to make descriptions exciting
Reveal all information at the beginning

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Creative Writing: Mastering the Art of Storytelling

Are you more of a plotter or a pancer? What makes you think so?
Think of a book/movie you like. What specific element do you like most (characters, romance, mystery, worldview, etc.) and what “twist” could you add to make a new story?
Do you agree that you should avoid writing “universally”? Why or why not?
Try the prompt “I want to know why ____.” What is your question, and what kind of story could it lead to?