Hint Fiction Due and Clue

Hello everybody! This is what the first 5-10 minutes of class should look like:

-Take the first few minutes of class to look over your hint fiction pieces (remember: at least five).

-Gather your workshop handout if you did not give it to me.

-Print out your hint fiction, collate papers if necessary, and place your work in the Craddock's grey
paper receptacle.

-migrate next door for a special viewing of the film Clue. We will be focusing on how interesting characters are created while watching the film.

Making interesting characters can be a challenge. Take a look here at the many things that go into creating dynamic, engaging characters.

 HW: Please complete a character sketch following the characterization worksheet.

Working With Diction / Word Choice

Hello everyone. We're going to start off class in room 228. Here is today's agenda:

1. Hint Fiction workshop:

A. Take 3 minutes to read over your hint fiction pieces.
B. Select what you believe to be your strongest piece and your weakest piece
C. Place a smiley face next to your strongest piece and a frowny face next to your weakest piece
D. Give your stories to at least two peers with your Hint Fiction Workshop sheet
E. After all reviews have been completed: Would anyone like to share a story?

2. Mini-lesson on diction / word choice

3. Diction / Word choice exercise: Dull sentence exercise

4. Looking at your word choice in your stories.

5. LABWORK: Go back and make any necessary revisions to your stories based off the workshop, the word choice exercises, or your own enlightenment.

Hint Fiction Project

Today in the lab you are to write as many hint fiction pieces as possible. Try to get anywhere between 5-10 done by the end of class.

After you have written three, ask your peers (preferably those in close proximity), to review your work. Ask them if they "get" it. What needs clarification? Does my title need to hint more toward the meaning of my story? Does it sound more like a beginning or just random thoughts? How effectively do I use mood / tone, word choice, images, plot twists to convey meaning?

**Remember, hint fiction are stories that are 25 words or less that suggest a larger or more complex story.

Here are some refreshers and tips in case you're stuck:

NPR article on hint fiction

Writing Micro Fiction tips

More tips

Some Hint Fiction examples

Introduction to Hint Fiction

We'll be looking at the experimental and fairly recent genre of hint fiction today. Hint fiction is defined as a story of 25 words or less that suggests a larger, more complex story.

While learning about hint fiction, I want you to think about why the elements of extremely short fiction (diction, mood, the twist) also need to be considered for your longer works of fiction.
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Step by Step for Identifying Characteristics of Hint Fiction Activity: (part 1)

1. Read through the examples of hint and micro fiction

2. Select one story and identify characteristics of micro fiction within your story. Please refer to the "Writing Flash Fiction" article for the characteristics you should be looking for.

3. For each characteristic you find, write the name of your story on one side of an index card. On the other side, comment on how your story demonstrates the specific characteristic. Please try to find 2-3 characteristics, which means you'll be using 2-3 index cards.

4. Post your index card, story title face up, on the white board in the column that corresponds with the characteristic you identified on the other side of the index card.


Part 2:
1. Select an index card from the white board. It must be a story you have not read. DO NOT READ THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INDEX CARD.

2.  Work independently with your new story to describe how the characteristic, indicated by the column you retrieved your card from, is used.  Please write these thoughts in your journal or on a separate piece of paper.


Part 3:

1. Share the story you selected from the white board by reading it.

2. Share your interpretation of how the story demonstrates the designated characteristic.

3. Finally, turn over the other side of the index card and share your classmate's original comment.