I will be available during lunch on Thursday to stamp steps 11-17 for your six second story, as well as after school on Thursday. --Mrs. CB

WHAT:  A "Six Second Story" is a FICTIONAL NARRATIVE, (which is the fancy term for a short story) in which the main action takes place very quickly.  For example, one might write a six second story about the moment of a penalty kick in a soccer match or just as a character finds out some exciting or horrifying news. 

STEPS (HOW):  Students may download an extra copy of the "Narrative Workshop:  Prewriting" and "Narrative Workshop:  Revising and Editing" handouts here.  These explain exactly what students students should take as they write their Six Second Story.

WHY:  Why write a story in which the action takes place in such a short period of time?  Because it forces young writers to concentrate on certain narrative techniques that often get lost in the clutter of stories of epic proportions.  These techniques are:

• Using SENSORY DETAILS
  • to make the reader feel as if she were right there in the story because she can almost hear, see, smell, taste, and touch what is happening.
  • and employing figurative language:  metaphors and similes to condense layers of meaning into a few words, to conjure up ideas and images
• Getting INSIDE THE CHARACTER'S HEAD
  • to make the reader feel as if she knows exactly what the character is thinking, wondering, worrying, or plotting.

PUNCTUATING DIALOGUE CORRECTLY:  There is a sample passage below showing correct dialogue punctuation.  Don't forget to follow these guidelines:

• Use quotation marks to enclose a person's exact words.
• Direct quotations begin with a capital letter, unless they are interrupted by an phrase such as she replied and then the quotation is continued.  The continued quotation does not need a capital letter.
• Place an end mark, such as a comma, period, exclamation point, or question mark, BEFORE the end quotation mark.
• Start a new paragraph every time a new speaker talks.

• For more information on how to punctuate dialogue visit this website managed by Professor of English Charles Darling for English courses at Capital Community College http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/quotation.htm

Here is a sample passage.  I've put the punctuation marks in bold. (Modified from Holt Workshop 1 Grammar Link:  Punctuating Dialogue, p. 556.)

     "Where were you yesterday?" asked Melissa shyly.  Wasn't he always talking about how he really wanted to land a lead in the fall play?  Then why would he miss it?  She fidgeted with her backpack and hoped he wouldn't think it was weird that she noticed he was gone.

     "Yeah," said Jack, "I got that flu bug that's going around.  That put me out of commission for all of the weekend and yesterday." 

     "What a bummer," she replied, "because you missed the play tryouts.  Didn't you really want to go?" 

     Jack sighed, "I know. I know." With an exaggerated look of despair he melodramatically added, "I guess everyone will have to wait until the spring play to see my brilliance." Melissa laughed.  He added more seriously, "Yeah, it stinks."

    Trying not to seem overly interested, Melissa suggested, "Why don't you go talk with Mr. Kassel?  He might make an exception and let you try out later this week."

Created by L. Clark-Burnell, 2003   Hits since 12/19/03: 

Thanks to Jay Richards for developing the original "Six Second Story" concept, particularly his "Highlighter Test".  I have only built upon the work he graciously shared.