Make It Memorable

Handout Make It Memorable by Bob Dotson

ASSIGNMENT FOR FRIDAY: 
Regarding the book by Bob Dotson, Make It Memorable: Please read the introduction and Section One (pages 3-41). Then, answer the following questions and be sure to exceed the requested word counts:
o What do you notice about the way he writes? Use specific examples, please. (75 words)

I noticed Bob is a very creative writer. He makes sure the reader is engaged by not rambling. He includes short stories with examples of techniques to use, rather than one big long story. He does this to prevent the reader from getting bored. (44) For instance, his example about Ruby Bridges. In that story he included a variety of different writing techniques such as using foreshadowing, setting the scene, the conflict, character growth, and the resolution. It really helped me as a reader, realize how many components a short story should have. (92 words)
o What did you learn from reading pages 9 to 27? (75 words)

From reading pages 9 to 27, I learned a lot about how to keep the reader/listener engaged in the story without boring them. I also learned that it is easier to write the middle of your story first because that way you can work with different sections of the body of your story to complete the introduction and conclusion. It is also very important to keep a journal of some sort to keep all thoughts and ideas, because although they may not fit the story at first, there might be a place for them later on. (97 words)

o With the scripts: What do suppose is described in each column? Why would it be split like that? What else is interesting about the scripts? (50 words) 
I think the context in each column represents actions that can't be said in the dialogue. I assume it is split like that because it helps the reader/listener become more involved by reading the extra little details to make them feel like they're in the situation rather than just reading or listening to it. (55 words)

o On Page 34 (and to the end of the section), Dotson writes about a long-form feature. Find one of these (a story at least 4 minutes long) on a TV news magazine such asRock Center, 20/20 or 60 Minutes. Then, give and explain examples of how the storyteller uses the five bulleted traits Dotson gives on Page 34. (200 words) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTO5osLFsgQ&list=PLRt7zgvqalGsQSmHifD33NosD-v0J5-zv&index=4
-The scene is set by a wide shot of the gymnastics gym. It shows gymnast doing all sorts of different skills. The camera is  then focused closer on Anna Li, as she begins to tell some of her gymnastics story.
-Foreshadowing occurs when Anna is interviewed and she says what her goals are and how she can achieve them. She knows she's got to give it her all and hope for the best.
-Conflict occurs when Anna states that the only thing she's in control of is doing the best she can. It also occurs when she finds out that she is only an alternate in the Olympics.
-Character Growth occurs when everyone is so focused on the U.S.A. athletes, but then Anna ends up scoring 1/10 of a point short of first place.
-Resolution occurred when Anna found out she wasn't good enough to be in the "fab five" but she was announced as an alternate. Anna was still thrilled that she was named an alternate, because she knows that she put out all she could.