Responding to StimulusResponding to Stimulus

QCS Writing promptsQCS Writing prompts

Collage style- that means visual and textual Collage style- that means visual and textual images and words collected together in a images and words collected together in a seemingly random manner. However, on seemingly random manner. However, on closer examination, they may have a clear and closer examination, they may have a clear and common THEME.common THEME.

From this central theme comes associated From this central theme comes associated ideas that link clearly to the theme. ideas that link clearly to the theme.

Simple CollageSimple Collage

Analyse thisAnalyse this

Collage plus theme wordCollage plus theme word

Work out Theme and ideasWork out Theme and ideas

Choose a promptChoose a prompt

When Sharon opened the door of the When Sharon opened the door of the closet, she could not see her clothes, but closet, she could not see her clothes, but a beautiful forest. a beautiful forest.

The whole family sat down for the The whole family sat down for the picnic, and the bear sat down with them. picnic, and the bear sat down with them.

Write 200 words on the life of a Write 200 words on the life of a mosquito.mosquito.

Write a text that includes this clause: "This Write a text that includes this clause: "This pendant is the only way that you can enter..." pendant is the only way that you can enter..."

A spaceship stumbles onto a planet full of aliens A spaceship stumbles onto a planet full of aliens that look like flowers. that look like flowers.

The new house owner discovers an old The new house owner discovers an old photograph in the attic. photograph in the attic.

Gretchen has lied to save her friend from Gretchen has lied to save her friend from trouble. Now she is in more trouble because she trouble. Now she is in more trouble because she has to keep lying to continue the story that she has to keep lying to continue the story that she has told. When will her troubles end? has told. When will her troubles end?

A beggar has won a million dollars in a lottery. A beggar has won a million dollars in a lottery. Write about the thoughts that emerge inside Write about the thoughts that emerge inside his mind and the behaviour of the people his mind and the behaviour of the people around him before he goes and takes the around him before he goes and takes the money. money.

A group of students stumble upon a cave when A group of students stumble upon a cave when they drift off from the other students while on they drift off from the other students while on a picnic in the foresta picnic in the forest

Police Officer McCarthy finds a dead body. Police Officer McCarthy finds a dead body. There are no clues except for an elaborate gold There are no clues except for an elaborate gold key lying beside the body. key lying beside the body.

poltergeist . rumrunner . easy does itpoltergeist . rumrunner . easy does it

fancy . fancy . missing piecesmissing pieces . jigsaw . jigsaw

stinging complaint . fraudulent . Jurassicstinging complaint . fraudulent . Jurassic

escapist . precious . bedtime prayersescapist . precious . bedtime prayers

A (strongly) suggested approach...A (strongly) suggested approach...

Perusal, 10 minutesPerusal, 10 minutes

Open paper, mop brow, breathe deeply;Open paper, mop brow, breathe deeply; Identify the key theme - this provides you with the lens through Identify the key theme - this provides you with the lens through

which you will read the stimuli;which you will read the stimuli; Systematically engage with each piece of stimulus material. Systematically engage with each piece of stimulus material.

Discipline yourself to look at each piece in a careful and Discipline yourself to look at each piece in a careful and considered manner.considered manner.

Allow yourself to react to each piece of stimulus. What ideas Allow yourself to react to each piece of stimulus. What ideas occur to you? How well do these connect to the central theme? occur to you? How well do these connect to the central theme? What genres would suit your ideas and do these marry with your What genres would suit your ideas and do these marry with your strengths?strengths?

If you have an idea for a response, allow yourself some time to let If you have an idea for a response, allow yourself some time to let it develop - associate ideas, visualise scenes, consider its direction.it develop - associate ideas, visualise scenes, consider its direction.

looseleaf paper . sundried . dishevelledlooseleaf paper . sundried . dishevelled

agnostic . furtive toe-tapping . unguentsagnostic . furtive toe-tapping . unguents

stippled . incessant . stippled . incessant . string of pearlsstring of pearls

quadrilateral failure . supine . Zanzibarquadrilateral failure . supine . Zanzibar

photogravure . poetic astrology .breadcrumbsphotogravure . poetic astrology .breadcrumbs

midwinter chrysalis . giddy . retrospectivemidwinter chrysalis . giddy . retrospective

deregulate . ulcerous . inoperable delightderegulate . ulcerous . inoperable delight

addictiveaddictive . intemperate brilliance . gizmo . intemperate brilliance . gizmo

grievousgrievous . overproduce . synthetic astronaut . overproduce . synthetic astronaut

disembodied . fantailed nightwalker . AWOLdisembodied . fantailed nightwalker . AWOL

unconfirmed invisibility . fretting . instrumentalunconfirmed invisibility . fretting . instrumental

zealot . workable . ferociously prettyzealot . workable . ferociously pretty

rugged . validated parking . homeschooledrugged . validated parking . homeschooled

unpredictably polished . sassafras . lappingunpredictably polished . sassafras . lapping

someplace . someplace . moonshinemoonshine . agitated governess . agitated governess

cyanide . compelling harpy . snuffcyanide . compelling harpy . snuff

licensed . eyeopening . spherical nobodylicensed . eyeopening . spherical nobody

salmonella . preseason boxer . saintsalmonella . preseason boxer . saint

possible wife . twittery . self destructpossible wife . twittery . self destruct

transfixed transfixed . farsighted . sacrificial bliss. farsighted . sacrificial bliss

roundtrip . refractive . courageous introvertroundtrip . refractive . courageous introvert

deregulate . swaggering lifeguard . librettoderegulate . swaggering lifeguard . libretto

scatterbrained . Tasmanian . scatterbrained . Tasmanian . diminutivediminutive

icebreaker . copy . overexpanded Adonisicebreaker . copy . overexpanded Adonis

universal password . penniless . repelleduniversal password . penniless . repelled

carnation . mercurial arsonist . moccasincarnation . mercurial arsonist . moccasin

unbeliever . flapjack . passionflowerunbeliever . flapjack . passionflower

homeland troubadour . tightfitting . homeland troubadour . tightfitting . anaemiaanaemia

Writing Phase - 120 minutes to go!Writing Phase - 120 minutes to go!

First 20 minutes - BrainstormingFirst 20 minutes - Brainstorming jot down ideas you came up with during perusal;jot down ideas you came up with during perusal; write down every idea you can think of (character profile, write down every idea you can think of (character profile,

names, plot development, descriptive words and phrases, lines names, plot development, descriptive words and phrases, lines of argument, facts and figures etc.) associated with your of argument, facts and figures etc.) associated with your planned response;planned response;

decide which idea works best for you;decide which idea works best for you; ensure your planned response links clearly to the theme and ensure your planned response links clearly to the theme and

the stimulus piece;the stimulus piece; jot down the generic structure of your planned responsejot down the generic structure of your planned response Aim to have decided what your response will be by the end of Aim to have decided what your response will be by the end of

this time.this time.

ImagesImages

Writing Phase - 100 minutes to go!Writing Phase - 100 minutes to go!

Next 60 minutes - Detailed planning and draftingNext 60 minutes - Detailed planning and drafting Spend about 20 minutes writing a Spend about 20 minutes writing a detaileddetailed plan of plan of

your response - the more detailed the better; use your your response - the more detailed the better; use your brainstorming and organise your thoughts into brainstorming and organise your thoughts into sequence. Using headings can be helpful at this sequence. Using headings can be helpful at this point. point. DO NOTDO NOT go on until you know exactly how go on until you know exactly how your response will end.your response will end.

Write detailed notes in each section that clearly show Write detailed notes in each section that clearly show how your response will progress. Depending on the how your response will progress. Depending on the genre, this could include dialogue, description, genre, this could include dialogue, description, evidence etc.evidence etc.

Writing Phase - 80 minutes to go!Writing Phase - 80 minutes to go!

Spend the next 40 minutes writing a draft of your Spend the next 40 minutes writing a draft of your response. response.

Allocate the last 10 minutes of this to proofreading Allocate the last 10 minutes of this to proofreading your work. Look for:your work. Look for: logical progression and flow of ideaslogical progression and flow of ideas spelling errorsspelling errors clumsy expressionclumsy expression sentence and paragraph lengthsentence and paragraph length variety of sentence structures for effectvariety of sentence structures for effect appropriate tone and language choice for genreappropriate tone and language choice for genre

Writing Phase - 40 minutes to go!Writing Phase - 40 minutes to go!

Last 40 minutes - Final VersionLast 40 minutes - Final Version Write this neatly in your response bookWrite this neatly in your response book Watch paragraphing, punctuation, spellingWatch paragraphing, punctuation, spelling Leave some time to proofread carefully for errors in Leave some time to proofread carefully for errors in

syntax, grammar, spelling and punctuation;syntax, grammar, spelling and punctuation; Ensure your work has a title (whatever the genre);Ensure your work has a title (whatever the genre); Exhale, stretch dramatically, attempt to rub crease Exhale, stretch dramatically, attempt to rub crease

from brow.from brow.

Someone is not who they're pretending to be.Someone is not who they're pretending to be.One is a breeder of One is a breeder of cockapoos..One of them hates someone in the group.One of them hates someone in the group.The accountant pines to be a cabaret singer.The accountant pines to be a cabaret singer.There has been a betrayal.There has been a betrayal.

In one's wallet is a picture of every cat they've ever owned.In one's wallet is a picture of every cat they've ever owned.One has been known to photocopy their butt and leave it in the copy tray.One has been known to photocopy their butt and leave it in the copy tray.Two are related but only one knows it. Though one of the others alsoTwo are related but only one knows it. Though one of the others alsoknows.knows.There is a love triangle and unrequited love but not the way you mightThere is a love triangle and unrequited love but not the way you mightthink.think.In the suitcase of one are items from all but one of the others' suitcases.In the suitcase of one are items from all but one of the others' suitcases.(The group is before (The group is before Al Khazneh in Jordan, the site of in Jordan, the site of Indiana Jones andthe Last Crusade. Feel free to use that or ignore it.). Feel free to use that or ignore it.)

The photographer and the woman in the background to the left may or The photographer and the woman in the background to the left may or may not be part of the group.may not be part of the group.

Last thoughts…Last thoughts…

Support one anotherSupport one another Work with the process of preparing for the Work with the process of preparing for the

writing taskwriting task Conquer it and develop a plan to manage the Conquer it and develop a plan to manage the

tasktask No luck needed – you make your own good No luck needed – you make your own good

fortune through diligence & preparationfortune through diligence & preparation Prepare yourself mentally and physicallyPrepare yourself mentally and physically