Composition Strategies
Story Grammar Strategy
The story grammar strategy (REFERENCE) is used to brainstorm ideas for writing a story. It involves seven cue questions that help to stimulate the writer's ideas of things to include in the story. The cue questions are remembered using the mnemonic: W-W-W, What x 2, How x 2. Though the cue questions are presented and remembered in a certain order, they are not intended to be used to order the actual content of the story. The manner by which the information is introduced, used, and developed in the story itself is up to the author.
Cue Questions for the Story Grammar Strategy
- Who is the main character; who else is in the story?
- When does the story take place?
- Where does the story take place?
- What does the main character do or want to do; what do other characters do?
- What happens when the main character does or tries to do it; what happens to the other characters?
- How does the story end?
- How does the main character feel; how do the other characters feel?
Steps in the Story Grammar Strategy
- Think of a story you would like to share with others.
- Let your mind be free.
- Write down the story part reminder (mnemonic) for the seven cue questions:
- W - W - W
- What x 2
- How x 2
- Make notes of your ideas for each part.
- Write the story using the ideas. Remember that the parts may be combined in any order you choose. Use good parts. Add, elaborate, and revise as you go.
Study Guides
An effective way to prepare for Composition exams is to use study guides. Study guides are abbreviated summaries of the important information to be learned for a test. They typically contain terms, lists, concepts, people, and literature covered in lecture and readings. After answering the study guide, used it for self-testing. An example of a study guide is provided below (M. Mast, CAL).
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Composition Study Guide
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