Scary Story Matrix Homework:
Use this as a guideline to help you structure your plotline into a story matrix for a 4-8 minute telling of a scary story. You will be organizing your story into a framework of essential elements.
Directions:
• Submit ON PAPER this entire framework typed and double-space. Use 12 point font.
• All of the information below should occupy at least 1.5 to 2 paged (typed, 12 point font).
• Number and label the specific areas: 1. Setting, 2. Characters, 3. Conflicts, etc.
Prompts:
1. Setting: What is the setting for the story? Imagine and describe the settings. Engage all the senses. If the story is set in several locations, describe each location.
2. Characters: Who are the characters in the story? List each one and give a brief description of their function in the story. (Ex. Arlene is the youngest daughter of the king. She is jealous of her two older sisters.) Make sure that all important characters have names. If they are not given, create them. You may want to name places as well. If proper names are given, make sure you know how to pronounce them correctly. Practice any difficult ones until you can say them naturally and with confidence.
3. Conflicts (Problems): Briefly discuss the major conflicts in the story.
4. Theme: What is the main idea of the story? (Ex. Living your life with integrity is essential if you are going to have a good relationship with yourself.)
5. Key phrases: If there are any key phrases or sentences that are repeated or must be said exactly, write them down in this section.
6. Vocabulary: Look up and attach descriptions/definitions for any unknown words or actions/processes or references in the story. Make sure that you can pronounce all words correctly.
7. Bridge: Write out completely the first sentences you will speak. This is called the bridge. You are building a bridge for the audience from their personal reality into the reality of the story. You want to make sure you have a solid starting point. If you know exactly how you are going to begin the story, chances are you are going to be more confident. (The bridge is one of the two parts of the story, you should memorize. The other is the concluding statements of the story.)
8. Sequence of events: This should be from 6-12 items/events (numbered in order) that represent the sequence of what occurs in the story. You may use 2-5 word phrases to suggest each element’s main event/idea or you may write it out in complete sentences. Keep your elements short and to the point, as you will be committing the story’s structure to memory so you can follow it while telling the story.
9. Last sentences: Write out the final sentences of the story. Know the wording for the last words you will speak in the story. Make them strong; make them memorable.