Lesson 8

• Understand the elements of a story, including character, setting, plot, and resolution.
• Learn how to incorporate interview information into a story
• Practice creating a story using the gathered interview information

1. • Chart paper or whiteboard
   • Markers or chalk
   • Writing materials (paper, pencils, etc.)
   • Interview notes or transcripts
   • Story Arc Template NOTE

• Begin the lesson by explaining the key elements of a story: character, setting, plot, and solution.
• Define each element in simple terms, using relatable examples.
• Emphasise that stories have characters (the people or animals in the story), a setting (where and when the story takes place), a plot (what happens in the story), and a solution (how the problems in the story are resolved).

• Ask students to review the interview notes or transcripts they gathered.
• Encourage them to identify important details about the interviewee’s experiences, motivations, or challenges.
• Remind students to pay attention to aspects that could be incorporated into their story, such as interesting events or significant moments.
• NOTE: STudents do not have to tell the WHOLE life story of the person from the time they were born. They need to focus on the aspect of the story related to the THEME i.e. the part around experiencing, perpetuating, confronting or being silent wrt gender inequity

• Discuss the main character of the story with the students based on the interview information.
• Guide students in developing the character’s traits, strengths, and goals.
• Help students imagine a suitable setting for the story, considering the interviewee’s experiences or the context of their work.

• Explain the concept of plot, focusing on the main events and challenges in a story.
• Use the story arc to document the plot of the story with sections for exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
• Provide a story arc as a tool on chart paper (at the bottom of the notes)
• Encourage students to think about the interviewee’s journey or impactful moments to develop a plot for their own story.
• Guide students in brainstorming potential conflicts or obstacles the character may face.

• Discuss the importance of a solution or resolution in a story.
• Help students consider how the character can overcome challenges or make a positive impact based on the interviewee’s experiences.
• Encourage creative thinking and problem-solving to develop a satisfying solution for the story. Using the Story ARc Template

• Summarise the key points discussed in the lesson: the elements of a story (character, setting, plot, and solution) and the process of incorporating interview information into a story.
• Explain that the students will now have the opportunity to write their own stories using the interview information they gathered.
• Provide an example to inspire the students (see the example below) and encourage them to use their creativity and the story elements they learned.

Note: Example Story 

Characters:  Maya’s mother- A woman to supported her daughter’s ambition against society.

Setting: A rural village in India

Plot: In a small village in rural India, the story of Maya, a young girl dreaming of becoming a doctor is supported by her mother who goes against societal expectations and her own family’s wishes to help Maya overcome limited opportunities that were hindering her aspirations.

Brief story: Maya, a bright and ambitious girl from a poor family, excelled in her studies, dreaming of becoming a doctor to serve her community. However, her family, like many others in the village, prioritized the education and future of their sons, believing that girls were meant for domestic roles and marriage. Maya’s father, despite his love for her, struggled to balance his daughter’s aspirations with the societal pressures.

One day, Maya’s mother, a woman who had faced similar limitations, secretly encouraged her daughter to pursue her dreams. She helped Maya find a tutor and secretly paid for her education. When Maya’s father discovered this, he was furious, but Maya’s mother stood firm, arguing that their daughter deserved the same opportunities as their son. 

The village elders, initially skeptical, were confronted by Maya’s mother who refused to give up. She convinced them that Maya’s knowledge could benefit the community, and they started to support her education. Maya’s  mother’s determination and the support of her daughter eventually allowed Maya to become a successful doctor, returning to her village to serve her people, proving that gender inequality is a barrier that can be overcome with courage and determination.

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• Encourage students to be imaginative and explore different possibilities for their stories.
• Remind them to refer to the interview information to add authentic details and insights into their stories.
• Support students in structuring their stories by breaking them down into beginning, middle, and end.
• Emphasise the importance of creativity while also staying true to the interviewee’s experiences and messages.

Link of the source