1. Where is the opening of the story set? 2. When is Allan’s birthday? 3. Who will be in attendance at Allan’s party? 4. Choose one word to describe Allan, based on what you have read in this extract. Impulsive
Selfish Explore 3
1. Why do you think Allan left the nursing home? 2. This is the opening of a novel. In your opinion, is it a good opening?
3. What do you think happens next in Allan’s story? Write a paragraph describing what may have happened once he left the nursing home.
Investigate
Use your research skills to find a review of The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared. Does the reviewer:
give an overview of the plot introduce some of the characters give their opinion recommend the film or book?
Create
1. Write a review of a film or novel that you have studied as part of your Junior Cycle English course.
2. (a) Write the opening of a story that features an escape in the space provided on page 79 of your Portfolio. Include one unexpected element in the opening to your story.
(b) Swap your opening with a partner. Choose one element of your partner’s story that you liked. Suggest one way your partner could make their opening even better in their second draft. Fill in your suggestions in the space provided on page 80 of their Portfolio.
(c) Redraft your opening based on the feedback you received, then write the rest of your story in the space provided on page 122 of your Portfolio.
Independent
The opening is the beginning of a piece of writing. A good opening hooks the reader and grabs their attention.
