In the 1930s, broadcast radio introduced an entirely new form of storytelling; today, micro-blogging platforms like Twitter are changing the scene again. Andrew Fitzgerald takes a look at the (aptly) short but fascinating history of new...

Ancient monuments give us clues to astonishing past civilizations -- but they're under threat from pollution, war, neglect. Ben Kacyra, who invented a groundbreaking 3D scanning system, is using his invention to scan and preserve the...

The term Kafkaesque has entered the vernacular to describe unnecessarily complicated and frustrating experiences, especially with bureaucracy. But does standing in a long line to fill out confusing paperwork really capture the richness...

To those who feel like they don't belong: there is beauty in being a misfit. Author Lidia Yuknavitch shares her own wayward journey in an intimate recollection of patchwork stories about loss, shame and the slow process of...

Today on Crash Course Literature, John Green teaches you about The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The Yellow Wallpaper tells the story of a woman who is a prisoner in her own home, in the name of caring for her mental...

This video explains how to identify a theme in a short story.

This video explores the evolution of novels, tracing their origins from ancient storytelling to the modern novel as we know it today. It highlights how the printing press revolutionized the spread of long stories, leading to the rise of...

A short story is a great way to try your hand at creative writing. These steps will help you to write a short story that expresses your unique point of view.

This week, we’re thrilled to speak with author Nicola Dinan about her debut novel, Bellies.It follows the relationship between graduates Tom and Ming and how their connection fluctuates in the wake of Ming’s transition, and is being...

Pupil outcome: I can plan a narrative using a five part structure. Key learning points: - The structure of a narrative means how the plot is organised - its sequence. - Readers need to feel that the structure of a story has been planned....

Pupil outcome: I can explain what happens in Hanan Al-Shaykh's ‘The Fisherman and the Jinni’. Key learning points: - 'One Thousand and One Nights' is a collection of Middle Eastern folktales. - 'One Thousand and One Nights' uses a frame...

Pupil outcome: I can write a persuasive speech about my new word. Key learning points: - Rhetorical questions, anecdotes and direct address are a great way to ‘hook’ your audience at the start of a speech. - The content of a speech needs...

Pupil outcome: I can consider the advantages and disadvantages of using a pen or pencil for a task. Key learning points: - Pen and pencil are the most common tools used to write or draw with. - Making a choice between pen and pencil...

Pupil outcome: I can identify and engage with the key themes in ‘Greenling’. Key learning points: - ‘Greenling’ can be considered a fable, its moral might link to the conservation & preservation of the environment. - A theme is a big...

Pupil outcome: I can write comparative topic sentences about two texts which focus on the same event - World War One. Key learning points: - Comparing one text to another can often help you evaluate it more clearly. - You can compare...

Pupil outcome: I can explore Ian Beck’s use of symbolism and motif in his short story, 'Propping Up The Line'. Key learning points: - Writers use symbols and motifs to present key themes. - Beck uses the symbol of the canary to explore...

Pupil outcome: I can explain what happens in ‘Propping Up The Line’, including commenting on some of the choices Beck made. Key learning points: - ‘Propping Up The Line’ is a short story by Ian Beck written using a third person narrative...

Pupil outcome: I can plan an interesting narrative. Key learning points: - When writing a short story, we can condense the traditional narrative arc. - We need to craft for a believable unfolding of events for a short story. - In short...

Pupil outcome: I can use a convincing voice in my narrative writing. Key learning points: - We do not have to get to the resolution of a plot in a short story. - We can manipulate time in our narrative to give it an interesting...

Pupil outcome: I can explain how Katherine Mansfield presents the character of the boss in her short story, ‘The Fly’, in clear and well developed analytical paragraphs. Key learning points: - A topic sentence states the focus for a...

Pupil outcome: I can explain what happens in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’ including exploring some of its major themes. Key learning points: - Mansfield (1888-1923) was a New Zealand writer and critic. - Mansfield was part of the...

Pupil outcome: I can explore how Ian Beck and Wilfred Owen use sentence structure to give their writing rhythm and, inspired by them, craft a creative paragraph with engaging rhythm. Key learning points: - Writers spend time crafting the...

Pupil outcome: I understand how the use of personal experiences and anecdotes can help connect to an audience. Key learning points: - A speaker can connect with an audience in a variety of different ways. - A speaker can use personal...

Pupil outcome: I can understand what makes a successful speech. Key learning points: - A speech is written for a specific audience in order to achieve its purpose. - Speeches can inform an audience about something they may not already...