Let’s get writing ~ a support session
This document provides a few ideas for key workers to run a writing workshop.
We hope that we can inspire young people to take part in VOiCES 2016, a National
Writing Competition for all Looked After Children and Care Leavers. We are asking
children and young people to write about who makes them happy, or about what the
important people in their life could do to make them happier.
Our Bright Spots programme looks to identify and promote ‘bright spots’ - the
practices that make a difference to looked after children and young people’s wellbeing. Through Bright Spots, children and young people have told us that positive
relationships are essential to them. We want to hear how they matter.
Let’s get warmed up!
A round of names
Tell the group your name and include a word that describes you that starts with the
same first letter as your name. For example “Hi! I am Sensible Samson”.
Present your name to the group by using words to describe you using each letter of
your name. For example “Hi! My name is FRED and I am Funny Relaxed Extroverted
and Devious”.
Let’s get educated!
We have already used ADJECTIVES: that’s other words used to describe something
- example “Funny FRED”.
METAPHORS – are a comparison of words but using words that appear unlike each
other. For example “She is a walking dictionary.”
SIMILE – are when you make a comparison of words using “like” or “as”. For
example “happy as a dog with a bone”.
SYNONYMS – are different words that are used to mean the same thing. Example:
Happy can also be cheerful, glad, thrilled, joyful. A THESAURUS is a great thing to
use to help find these.
ANTONYMS – are words that are opposites in meaning. For example “Hot & Cold”,
“Relaxed & Excited”, “Introverted & Extroverted”, “Happy & Sad”.
Discussion
Discuss what entertains us. How can you include these in your writing?
Let’s get inspired!
Favourite stories
In the group, discuss your favourite primary school stories and why they are your
favourite? The Voices competition wants you to focus on the important people in your
life. Who are the key characters in your favourite stories? Why do you like them?
Short story shares
Share short stories about any of the following subjects:
Your best friend
Your best teacher
Most you have ever laughed
Best / worst day ever
Best birthday
Best achievement
A time you were scared
Think about the people in your story – how would you describe them, what did they
do and how did that make you feel?
That dream I had!
On paper prepare a very surreal dream you once had being as descriptive as
possible. When finished share your dreams in the group.
Let’s get creative!
What’s in your hand?
Pass around an item (such as a piece of cloth) and every person gets to decide what
it really is and describe it. Use your imagination and it can be a plane!
The alliteration game
In pairs write a story with as much alliteration as possible; bonus points for the group
that has the longest story and also the group that has the longest uninterrupted
alliteration.
Example: Angry Andy and an annoying ant always acted awfully at assembly. Art
authority Annie asked angry Andy an audacious ask. Angry Andy accepted and ate
an annoying ant. Afterwards at an assembly angry Andy acted astonishingly amazing
and amusing art authority Annie. Art authority Annie acknowledges Amazing Andy at
assembly.
The plot thickens
Create a story following the steps below. This can be done in a group so the story is
created together.
1) Set the scene.
2) Describe the main character.
3) Describe any other characters.
4) Do they have friends or enemies? Please describe them.
5) What is the challenge currently being faced by the main character?
6) What type of story is it? i.e. Adventure, romance, fairy tale, mystery, comedy,
historical, horror, magical, sci-fi, or a combo (i.e. romantic comedy)
7) What music would be the sound track to this story?
Let’s play!
Race from A to Z
Using a board/flip chart put up the letters A to Z and a theme such as People. Then
the individuals or teams have to race to find words for each letter relevant to the
theme and be first to complete their list.
For example:
Aunt
Best friend
Carer
Doctor
Entertainer etc.
You may want to choose a word that can inspire you for the competition like
‘Happiness’.
Head to head synonyms
In teams or as individuals take turns to come up with a different word that means the
same as your chosen buzzword. The first team that can’t think of a word loses.
For example: If the buzz word is “Hot” team can say burning, fiery, spicy, scalding…
Writing your submission
Once you’ve had a go together, write your own piece for the competition.
Coram Voice really wants to hear from you about
who makes you happy.
We are asking you to send us a piece of your own writing for entry into our national
writing competition. You could write about your family, your social workers, your
foster carers, your teachers, your friends, your advocate or even your pets. Or you
could write about what the important people in your life could do to make you
happier. It could be a poem, a short story – anything!
We think kids in care have powerful, unique voices and we want the whole country to
hear them. And you can win a prize!
You can find more info on the competition and some hints & tips on our website:
http://www.coramvoice.org.uk/voices-2016.
HAVE FUN & GOOD LUCK!