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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: What You Don't Know
These exercises were written
by IWW members
and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its
members.
You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that
you found
them at the Internet Writers Workshop
(http://www.internetwritingwor
kshop.org/).
Prepared by Ruth Douillette
Posted: Sunday 21 Jan 2007
Reposted: Sunday 6 April 2008
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Exercise: In 400 words or less, write a scene in which a character's
secret is discovered, and show how that revelation causes others to
behave in ways that add to the reader's understanding of the characters
concerned.
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People are not always what they seem. They keep secrets, hide skeletons
in closets, or don't speak of an illness they have. On a less somber
note, they may downplay their wealth or status, or keep an achievement
quiet.
When such a secret is revealed, other people react in various ways.
Writers can use such a situation to add conflict to a plot and to show
their readers more about the characters involved.
An example of such a revelation is found in the movie, "The Test of
Love." When her husband survives a plane crash, the stunned wife
discovers that he was traveling with another woman, who died in the
crash. It turns out the husband had fathered a child by this woman when
he and his wife had been separated. This created strife, and forced
both
parties to reveal characteristics through their actions.
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Exercise: In 400 words or less, write a scene in which a character's
secret is discovered, and show how that revelation causes others to
behave in ways that add to the reader's understanding of the characters
concerned.
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Critique by discussing how the revelation changes the perspectives of
the characters involved. What is learned about the characters from
their
response to what has been uncovered? Point out any areas in the writing
that can benefit from revision or editing.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
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