A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
Game 1
“A picture paints a thousand words,” is a well known phrase. But a picture can also inspire a thousand words.
This is another fun activity that utilizes the understanding that 80% of the free write is the pre-write. And the pre-write for this game is a picture. It starts with covering up the majority of a picture and then discussing the visible portion. As more of the picture is revealed, more of the story is written.
The art stimulates the story.
- Choose a picture with people in it. Focus on one person. Cover everything else.
- Create a setting for a story based on the visible part of the picture.
- Write about the character, bring the character to life.
- Then expand the portion of the picture showing. Discuss what new information this reveals. Continue revealing more and more of the picture until the entire picture is visible. By this time, the character and the setting should be well defined.
- Create a problem and a solution for the character.
- Create your own picture that matches the story.
Why it works:
Art is a powerful stimulus for the imagination.
Showing small portions helps focus the brian on specific parts of the task, ie, setting, character.
There is lots of rehearsal (thinking and talking) before writing the story.
