Inspired by: The Lost Happy Endings - Week 6

In a thought-provoking week of learning, students delve into the essence of storytelling and its outcomes, particularly focusing on the conclusions of traditional tales. The objective is to explain and discuss their comprehension of narratives through structured debate, ensuring they stay on topic and utilise notes where necessary. The class explores whether most traditional stories, including those from diverse cultures, typically conclude on a positive note and if this trend persists in modern iterations of traditional tales. They contemplate the reasons behind the prevalence of happy endings in such stories and ponder the fundamental purpose these narratives served historically and continue to serve today. The discussion extends to a broader question: Should every book culminate in a happy ending? Students gather arguments for and against this notion, working in pairs to articulate their personal viewpoints and to prepare for a presentation that will contribute to a class-wide debate.

The week's activities also emphasise the technical aspect of writing, as students are tasked with proof-reading to identify and correct spelling and punctuation errors, and using commas effectively to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity. With a clear stance on whether all books should have a happy ending, students are challenged to craft an alternative ending to a story they have read. This exercise requires continuous editing to refine their writing, ensuring logical flow and accurate punctuation. Once the new story endings are completed, they are reviewed by the class to determine which are more impactful and successful, and to understand the elements that contribute to a satisfying story conclusion. This combination of literary analysis and writing skills development offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and creating narratives.