work to explore Lemony Snicket's
A series of unfortunate events
overview
In the tasks outlined below, you will write scenes for stories using your own original characters and using literary and plot devices* found in the Lemony Snicket's book series (and film).
*You can go to this website http://literary-devices.com/ to research various literary devices
*You can go to this website http://literary-devices.com/ to research various literary devices
objectives
1. Create protagonist and antagonist characters as well as descriptions of challenging situations your characters may face
2. Consider the popularity of the Lemony Snicket book series, A Series of Unfortunate Events by reading and annotating the article "In the Lemony Snicket Series, No Happy Endings."
3. Work in small groups (or by yourself) to draft outlines of stories using at least two literary or plot devices used in the Lemony Snicket books (The Bad Beginning)
4. Write (and illustrate if you wish) scenes from stories based on the outlines created in class
2. Consider the popularity of the Lemony Snicket book series, A Series of Unfortunate Events by reading and annotating the article "In the Lemony Snicket Series, No Happy Endings."
3. Work in small groups (or by yourself) to draft outlines of stories using at least two literary or plot devices used in the Lemony Snicket books (The Bad Beginning)
4. Write (and illustrate if you wish) scenes from stories based on the outlines created in class
step one
- Each of you will need three cards (each labelled CARD 1, CARD 2 and CARD 3)
- On CARD 1, describe an interesting or unique protagonist (The protagonist is the main character in the story you write about it.) Ensure that you note the name of your character, age, physical attributes, personality traits, strengths or special powers and/or weaknesses.
- On CARD 2, describe an interesting or unique antagonist (An antagonist is a group of characters, institution, or concept that stands in or represents opposition against which the protagonist(s) must contend.) Ensure that you note the name of your character, age, physical attributes, personality traits, strengths or special powers and/or weaknesses.
- On CARD 3, describe a 'sticky situation' or challenging set of circumstances. Do not include any character names in this description.
- Once you have done so, fold or scrunch them up and place them in the correct tub on the front desk. You will use these later in the lesson.
STEP TWO
- Read through the article "In the Lemony Snicket Series, No Happy Endings" and use the technique described below to annotate it
- As you read, underline any unfamiliar vocabulary, put a tick next to parts that you agree with, put a cross next to parts that you don't agree with, and put a question mark next to parts that you want to know more about.
- Join up with a partner (or group of three) and discuss the article and what you have annotated. You have five minutes to do this.
- Below you will find a link to a document with a series of questions that are answered by the article. Click on the link, download the document and type your responses IN FULL SENTENCES. There is also a section with a table for you to note down new and unfamiliar vocabulary from the article.
STEP THREE
- In your pairs or groups of three, you will be working together to create outlines for stories that will incorporate some of the the literary devices that the article describes from A Series of Unfortunate Events. These include (but are not limited to): misfortunes, the protagonists, the antagonist, melodrama, gothic-style of writing, cliff-hangers, irony, wit, no happy ending.
- In your groups, you need to select one card from the "PROTAGONIST" box, one from the "ANTAGONIST" box and one from the "STICKY SITUATION" box.
- You will have the rest of the session to create a DETAILED outline for a story that includes the characters that you have selected and the challenge (sticky situation) and that incorporates at least two of the elements (listed in orange above or ones that you have identified from the website at the top of this page) found in the Lemony Snicket series. You may wish to refer back to the link to the PDF of A Bad Beginning and refresh your memory on the style in which he writes.
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/rtf.png)
story_outline.docx | |
File Size: | 742 kb |
File Type: | docx |
NEXT SESSION (OR IF YOU FINISH EARLY)
- Individually, you are to use the outline that your group created and begin writing the story in the style of Lemony Snicket. You can type this on your computer or handwrite in your books.
- The idea is that we should be able to combine our stories to make a chronicle of stories, almost like our own series of unfortunate events.