HidTips 1a

We will be judging your story in four main areas:

1. Research and Structure

2. Setting, Plot and Character Development

3. Supporting Details and Literary Skill

4. the Mechanics

1. RESEARCH AND STRUCTURE

After thinking up an evocative topic or basic storyline, some writers will start with research and others with the structure, but most will probably carry out both at the same time.

Research can start with encyclopedias or other reference books in the library. Or it may start with the Internet. One Webpage you might like to try out is Daily-Update’s own RESEARCH LAB. You can also visit relevant museums or watch relevant movies. You might even like to generate your own research results by talking to an organization or your grandparents, or perhaps by conducting a survey.

Make notes, possibly on cards or on your computer. Continue to add to, delete and sort out your information as you develop your structure. As your topic, theme, plot and ideas develop, your notes will become more logically ordered and useful.

There are many ways to plan the story. You can set up a little diagram that makes sense to you. Commonly used diagrams include the “spider’s web” and the bubble diagram. These can be used to plan any type of relationship. Other diagrams can be used for different purposes. For example, flow diagrams can be used to show how one event leads to another. A hierarchy can be used to work out what or who is more important/powerful. A geographical map of an imagined village or island could help you make all the details more vivid and realistic. A timeline can be used to keep control over what is meant to be happening when.

A SPIDER WEB/ BUBBLE DIAGRAM

A FLOW DIAGRAM

A GEOGRAPHICAL MAP A HIERARCHY

A TIMELINE

For more helpful information on writing, check out the Daily-Update textbook, Writing Techniques

It contains simple steps for all types of creative and academic writing, plus 24 methods for overcoming writer’s block, plus methods for tackling 7 types of
exam essays. It rapidly builds up the writing skills!

SPECIAL FOR WRITING CONTEST ENTRANTS:

USD 23.75 for colour version

including postage to anywhere in the world!