“If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don’t put it there.” —Anton Chekhov “Chekhov’s gun is a dramatic principle that suggests that details within a story or play will contribute to the overall narrative.” —Masterclass Directions Write one scene…

Instructor Notes Stations, pre-grouped activities in the room, allow your students to get to know each other and some foundations of the class without a lecture. These materials should be printed prior to the class session and the room should be laid out accordingly. Directions To introduce everyone to the class, groups of students will…

I want to know why… Create a list of ten items that fit into the category of things not known. Phrase this list as, “I want to know why…” Try to stick to concretes You can stick to craft issues, writing issues, or general things if they come to you. Pair&Share Do a freewrite based…

*Instructors: this activity requires you or the students to bring in examples of writing. At the beginning of class, collect all the pieces. From the collection of passages, choose one that speaks to you. Try to replicate the style of that piece in a freewrite. You can write about anything. Once you are finished with…

I Don’t Know Why I Remember… Scan your memories for things that have stuck with you for no obvious reason (try to stay away from large events: births, deaths, etc.) Make a list of these events. Use the phrase “I don’t know why I remember…” Don’t explain or interpret, render. Put the reader there. Show…

Leave the classroom. Find a spot inside or outside, but within the grounds of the campus. Write down exactly what you see around you. Think of an event that would or did happen in this place. You can even think of things that this place inspires. You can think of something that happened to you…

Think of a character or yourself Have that character sit down to write a letter to someone they are intimate with who is not close by at the moment. Do the same for yourself. Begin the letter with “By the time you read this…” and make a detailed list of all the things that will…

Think of a time when you (or a character) had an epiphany — a moment when you realize the answer the something — but which turned out to be wrong. You can use the phrase “suddenly I realized” to help. Write down the precise events that led up to this epiphany (what, who, when, why,…

(Adapted from LaPlante)

  Think of a situation between two characters that follows one of these scenarios one of them is trying to convince the other of something One is angry with the other for breaking the rules in some way The two have a miscommunication about something Write the scene. First, only write the dialogue. Reread your…