I made this video in PowerPoint after downloading an image from an Open Educational Resource archive, Pixabay, at

 http://www.pixabay.com

The technique works great with images, but also PowerPoint’s SmartArt graphics as well, which I often uses  in teaching Creative Writing: I like to make short videos that show how “Things come together” (Synthesis) and “How we break things apart (Analysis) to criticize plot, story, character, etc.

 

How can teachers teach students to evocate? How will this help their writing?

It’s done best in the PERFECT TENSE!

When I assign students to outline a story – challenge students to put ideas in order and build a narrative framework of a series of ideas – I tell them to brainstorm using verbs in the Present Perfect Tense: “I have lived in Florida for 40 years” immediately creates a summary statement that stimulates the student writer to think about those 40 years’ worth of memories and experiences that should be part of the storyline. Not only does it inspire student writers to evocate, the Present Perfect Tense sends a. message to readers that the author has a lot to share, that the essay or short story will be full of enthralling details. The Present Perfect Tense puts control of the narrative in the voice of the storyteller who has a wealth of experience to share.  It’s a very simple technique that works pretty well.

PS: This  video was produced using a program called “Videoscribe”. The company that markets the program is called ‘Sparkle’.

          EXPLORING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Story Corps is a radio program that airs on National Public Radio in the US. Story Corps is an archive of audio recordings of very personal conversations between two people about a host of issues. Listeners are the flies on the wall.

NPR’s STORY CORPS

Click on the link to access the site, browse, or search on a term, such as ‘Family Relationships’ archived on the Story Corps site.

 BLOGGER BITS TIP

– Listen to a Story Corp audio or two. Post your reaction to what people are saying. What is the big picture? Any underlying themes?