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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Coming full circle (Version 3)
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.internetwritingworkshop.org/).
Prepared by: Florence Cardinal
Posted on: July 26, 2003
Reposted on: May 30, 2004
Reposted on: May 28, 2005
Reposted, revised, on: April 23, 2006
Reposted, revised, on: June 3, 2007
Reposted on: August 11, 2013
Reposted on: August 10, 2014
_____________________
Exercise: Use no more than 400 words to write a scene. Bring it "full
circle" by tying the end to the beginning by use of the same symbol. Try to show a
change in the character's perception of the symbol at the end of the story.
_____________________
Bringing a story "full circle" is one technique used to write effective
endings. For
instance, if you start the story with softly falling snowflakes, then
end it by
mentioning the snow again. This device can use a repeated symbol or
image to
establish a sense of closure. The change can be subtle or something
really startling.
This is from the first paragraph of a descriptive essay written
byFlorence Cardinal,
a former admin:
"With the first killing frost, the pelicans left me, heading for their
winter home in
Texas."
The last paragraph of the same essay brings it full circle to an
effective close:
"As I trudge up the path, I look up and see frost fairies dancing in
the moonlight."
What went on in between brought a change in the character's outlook on
the frost.
_____________________
Exercise: Use no more than 400 words to write a scene. Bring it "full
circle" by
tying the end to the beginning by use of the same symbol. Try to show a
change in
the character's perception of the symbol at the end of the story.
_____________________
To critique, focus on whether or not the scene uses the beginning
symbolism at the end, and whether you can see any change. Remember, this
symbol can be anything - a place, an object, even an animal or a person,
and the change can be subtle or far-reaching.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
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