How to build a story

This semester my freshmen are learning how stories work. They're reading them and then writing one of their own, so I'm taking them through the process. Every day my lesson has developed more into a screenwriting course. I'm not sure if I'm teaching things I've learned or learning things as I teach them. Here are my lesson plans:

1) The definition of story. A story is a character with a goal and obstacles in the way of that goal. The plot is the methods our character uses to deal with those obstacles so he can (or can't) achieve his goal. I use this diagram:



See how you can go around your obstacles or push through them?

I know you are all jealous of both my handwriting and my artistic ability. It's okay. We can't all be as talented as me.

2) The details of character. Students name their favorite characters from films they've seen. This week they named Rocky, Alonso from Training Day, Smokey from Friday, Wolverine, and Captain Jack Sparrow. We discussed what makes these good characters even though they're all so different.

Then I imagined a movie with all of them together and proceeded to act out all the parts. That got a good guffaw from my otherwise comatose 9th graders.

3) Develop your character. I modified the character sheet I got from somebody's blog. Who was it? Raise your hand if it was you because I forgot. Anyway, it lists a ton of different character traits you should examine as you design your characters. Not just age and appearance, but stuff like political beliefs and fears and hobbies. I made a list of traits and had my students fill it out for their protagonist. We also talked about the importance of thinking about these same concepts for antagonists.

4) Plot thingee. I dunno what they call it, but I give them a copy of the plot diagram and have them fill it out. Whenever I make them fill this out for a story we read, the first part I have them find is the climax. I define climax as the moment when the central question is answered. Will they or won't they? Can Rocky hold out for 12 rounds with Apollo Creed? Will Craig finally take charge of his life and be a man? Once they figure this out, the rest is easy. So I had them fill out the plot thingee and start with climax. The rest of the story kind of falls into place.

5) Theme. I have the kids read a poem, a short story and listen to a song with the same theme - something like "unrequited love". Then we discuss. I have them write down a few themes they want to explore in their story and how they can do that.

6) Tone. I have the kids tell the same story or poem or song lyrics as different stereotypes to talk about how different people use different tones. I also have them read a couple of short stories and we discuss not only tone, but plot, character and theme and anything else we've talked about in the course of story development. We also go over the rules of dialogue.

Now I have them write a first draft of their story. At this point they've prepared so much it's just easy. Of course, I say that now. I haven't actually read these stories yet.