Avoiding the generic in Genre Writing

Presentation guide

1. The Importance of Being Prepared2. Belonging practise tasks3. Hints for genre writing in the HSC4. Genre writing practise tasks5. Putting it all together

Be PreparedIn order to excel in the HSC you must:

BE PREPARED1. Know what character/s you are writing about2. Know where your story is set3. Know how it begins and ends4. Know what is going to happen (plot)5. Know what language and literary techniques you’ll be using

BE FLEXIBLEUnderstand that any one or more of the elements above can or must change according to the task you are given.

PRACTISE TO PERFECTWrite your story in draft form. Then perfect it. Then give yourself 40 minutes to write it. Then perfect it. Then look at past papers and write it to the criteria of one of the questions. Give it to your teacher to mark. Do this again and again.

In order to DO WELL l in the HSC your writing must:

1. Have a clear connection to the Area of Study or writing task in Extension 12. Excellent use of complex language3. Few, if any, errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar4. A character, or characters, of interest5. A clear purpose, direction and plot

Aim For Perfect

In order to EXCEL in the HSC you must also:

1. Make sure your connection to the task is clear, but not overt (no sledgehammers)

2. Don’t be shy to use the language conventions you have leant about – alliteration, similes, metaphors, repetition – but avoid overuse.

3. Try to write in the third person and experiment with characters who are not teenagers.

4. Experiment with non-linear plots, with multiple narratives or usual protagonists.

Brainstorming ideasIn writing about Belonging you must first ask yourself what sort of character you wish to create. • Will it be someone who does or does not belong?• What is their age/gender/ethnicity?• Where are they located?• What circumstances do they find themselves in to make them feel as though

they do or do not belong?• Is their sense of belonging or not belonging connected to a person? A place?

An object? Or something else?Then most importantly…• Can you write this story?• Should you write this story (will it get the desired results? Is it likely to

offend?)• Is this story a cliché or will you stand out from the crowd?

Belonging Writing PractiseTask 1Your task is to write the introduction to a story and create an interesting CHARACTER based on the following image. You must write exactly 50 words (NO MORE, NO LESS) and you’ll have 5 mins.

Student examples

Task 2Now you must use another image to write the introduction to a story which embeds a character but must focus on describing the SETTING. Remember that the best descriptions don’t rely on the visual, they also identify sounds, smells, tastes and sensations. You must write exactly 70 words and you’ll have 7 mins.

Student examples

The Art of the First LineIn order to develop a great story its important to work on it at length and a great place to start is with the first line. Students are always tempted to deliver long-winded first lines. However, the difficulty actually lies in writing a line that makes people want to read more. They raise questions, pique our interest, challenge us. Some texts have incredible long first lines – think Charles Dickens and Jane Austen – however, a simple way for you to be equally as effective is to make it short. Try using the ‘Five Word Rule’. Your line must pique the reader’s interest with five words or less.

Task 3First lines are often about place (time, location, setting, etc) rather than people. The following image is to feature as part of the setting for your story. Write the first paragraph using the image but paying particular attention to your first line. You’ll have 5 minutes.

Hints for Genre WritingGenres rely on ‘rules’ and reader expectations. We know that at the end of a romance novel the boy gets the girl. When you begin a more detailed study of genre you’ll understand that most of the very best genre writing builds on reader expectations, then challenges or exploits them. So a new and interesting romance may result in the boy getting the boy instead.

To write in a way that avoids the generic in genre writing it is important to first know what those ‘rules’ and expectations are, before you can begin breaking them. But… here are some simple ideas to think about:

1. Know you preferred writing form and stick to it (ie. If you prefer writing hard-boiled crime fiction know what it is and be true to it)

2. You must demonstrate exceptional language use 3. Read as many examples as you can get a hold of and then model your writing

on some of the best.4. Write from an usual point of view. 5. Experiment with structure6. Don’t feel you have to ‘resolve’ or ‘end’ your story.

HSC Notes from the Marking Centre on Genre Writing

In stronger responses:1. Ideas were original 2. Terms were incorporated naturally and seamlessly into the response 3. The setting immediately indicated the elective the candidate had studied4. Candidates played with the parameters of their elective5. They were innovative in structure and concept and took risks with both

narrative voice and plot6. The writing was engaging, often witty and used language in an original,

imaginative and insightful manner.

In weaker responses:7. Knowledge of the elective was not always immediately discernible8. The responses tended to lack clarity and purpose9. There was a lack of original thought and candidates did not engage with

the question

Genre Writing PractiseTask 4Using the genre of your choice (Crime Fiction, Life Writing or Science Fiction if your study genre for Extension 1) or making a clear connection to the notion of Belonging write the introduction to a creative writing piece based on the following image. In it you must: • Engage the reader with an effective first line• Begin to develop a character of interest• Use language techniques to describe the setting• Clearly identify either the genre you are using or connect to the notion of

BelongingYou must write 100 words and you’ll have 10 mins.

Student examples

Putting it all togetherSo some of the things you’ll need to think about whilst planning your HSC creative writing – whether for Advanced English or Extension – are:1. Create an interesting and engaging piece that can be adjusted to meet the

requirements of the question.2. Make sure your writing stands out from the crowd – become a master of

techniques (but don’t overuse them); use powerful descriptions and complex language; write from an unusual or unexpected perspective; etc

3. If you’re writing in the style of a particular genre – know your conventions and then break them.

4. Make the markers care about your characters.5. Use a powerful first sentence and follow up with a meaningful story.6. Avoid clichés at all costs.7. Practise until you get it right.

Good luck and have fun writing!

Other images you can use at home