(共16张PPT)
How to weave a plot
Step 1
Read for
elements
Step 2
Read for
plots
Step 3
Gather
ideas
Step 4
Make predictions
Steve was the most amazing person in all of Minneapolis, and he was my cousin. By the age of 19, Steve was a star baseball player at the University of Minnesota. I wanted to be exactly like him. So when Steve asked me to go with him on a spring fishing trip in northern Minnesota, I was excited!
After planning the trip, we gathered clothes and supplies, and began our great adventure. We reached the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota by early evening. On our way to the campsite, Steve pointed to a small house faraway in one of the mountains, saying that it was the ranger station (护林站) where the forester worked.
Given Passage
Finally, after a long walk, we reached the campsite and set up the camp as the sun was setting. Steve knew all the tricks of an experienced wilderness camper. After we gathered enough wood from the forest, he started the campfire using only stone and steel — no matches. For supper we feasted on freeze-dried beef, wild rice and pea soup. I ate greedily after all that work.
Tired enough, we climbed into our sleeping bags early and talked about our plans for fishing the next day. We were still talking quietly when a sudden north wind picked up; the temperature dropped and it began to snow. Steve found a way to increase the temperature inside the tent. He dragged a log from the forest to the opposite side of the campfire. Then he wrapped aluminum foil (铝箔) around the log. The heat from the fire reflected off the foil and into the tent. Soon images of lake fish were filling my dreams.
The snow had stopped, but sometime later a powerful wind must have kicked up the flames of our dying fire. I was suddenly awakened by Steve. Our tent was on fire. Frightened, I ran out of the tent immediately. The tent collapsed with Steve inside. Without any thought of endangering myself, I reached into the burning tent and pulled him to the icy lake. Fortunately, we were not seriously hurt.
Paragraph 1:
Later, as we stood by the burning tent to keep warm, we considered our difficult situation.
Paragraph 2:
Suddenly, we heard a noise in the forest.
What
Where
When
Who
I, Steve, forester
In spring
In a forest
An adventurous fishing trip
Read for elements and the general idea
Beginning
(character and setting)
Process
Climax
(the main problem or conflict)
Ending
(a time to solve the problem
/ how things end up)
Story Mountain
Read for plots
Mood Mountain
Beginning
Process
Climax
Ending
1
2
3
1. Steve asked me to go on a spring fishing trip.
2. We reached the campsite and set up the camp.
3. Our tent was on fire and we escaped to
the icy lake.
4.
Ladder-based Mind Mapping
Gather ideas
What was Steve like
Steve was the most amazing person in all of Minneapolis, and he was my cousin. By the age of 19, Steve was a star baseball player at the University of Minnesota. I wanted to be exactly like him. So when Steve asked me to go with him on a spring fishing trip in northern Minnesota, I was excited!
What about the narrative perspective
... Steve knew all the tricks of an experienced wilderness camper.
Why was our tent on fire
We were still talking quietly when a sudden north wind picked up; the temperature dropped and it began to snow. Steve found a way to increase the temperature inside the tent. He dragged a log from the forest to the opposite side of the campfire. Then he wrapped aluminum foil (铝箔) around the log. The heat from the fire reflected off the foil and into the tent. Soon images of lake fish were filling my dreams.
The snow had stopped, but sometime later a powerful wind must have kicked up the flames of our dying fire.
Did we escape finally
Frightened, I ran out of the tent immediately. The tent collapsed with Steve inside. Without any thought of endangering myself, I reached into the burning tent and pulled him to the icy lake. Fortunately, we were not seriously hurt.
We may suffer some minor injuries.
What difficult situation may we encounter
Make predictions
the pouring rain and the howling wind
necessary supplies were burnt
unknown darkness of the forest
be eaten or attacked by beasts
be starved to death and dehydrated due to lack of water and food
die of the coldness
be frozen to death
Paragraph 1:
Later, as we stood by the burning tent to keep warm, we considered our difficult situation.
How may we feel and respond
Make predictions
fear
terror
hopeless
despair
desperation
Paragraph 1:
Later, as we stood by the burning tent to keep warm, we considered our difficult situation.
push through and keep calm
What does the noise imply
Make predictions
Paragraph 2:
Suddenly, we heard a noise in the forest.
A good ending
They were rescued at last. Someone may come to their rescue.
a noise
a large vehicle passing by
On our way to the campsite, Steve pointed to a small house faraway in one of the mountains, saying that it was the ranger station (护林站) where the forester worked.
How can we organize the second paragraph
Make predictions
Paragraph 2:
Suddenly, we heard a noise in the forest.
the source of the noise
the process of how we are rescued
a happy ending with a complete plot (the changes of the relationship between Steve and I)
stress the theme
Later, as we stood by the burning tent to keep warm, we considered our difficult situation. The pouring rain and the howling wind stuck us in a dilemma. All of our necessary supplies were burnt. Surrounded by the unknown darkness of the forest, the atmosphere became heavier and heavier. Different kinds of terrible thoughts crowded in on our minds. For instance, we might be eaten by beasts, or be starved to death, or even die of the coldness. However, both of us had no alternative but to stay in place.
Later, as we stood by the burning tent to keep warm, we considered our difficult situation. All the clothes and supplies we brought were burnt to ashes, and we almost lost everything which we depended on to live in the freezing cold. Without food and water, we might be dehydrated and starve to death. We had never felt that death was so close to us. “We will definitely be frozen to death if it snows again. In other words, we have to find someone to turn to for help before it snows.” Then, we fell into silence because there was no help in sight. A wave of desperation washed over us as we were clueless about what to do next.
Possible Versions
Paragraph 1:
Later, as we stood by the burning tent to keep warm, we considered our difficult situation. Our campsite was in the deep of the forest, really far away from the highway. We were in the middle of nowhere, wearing only underwear, with our supplies burnt into ashes, including our cellphones. Even Steve was unsure what to do next. The only thing we could do was just sit in the cold air and wonder how to get out of the forest.
Paragraph 2:
Suddenly, we heard a noise in the forest. Anxiously we listened and stared into the darkness. A jeep appeared. A forester had spotted the light from the fire and had come to have a check. We jumped into the warm vehicle and the forester drove us to the ranger station, where we were given clothes and were able to call our parents. Steve and I had many more camping adventures from then on, but it was on this trip that Steve began to treat me more like a friend rather than a younger cousin. Our friendship continues to this day.