Download Six 6-sided dice games for writers

Six 6­sided Dice Games for Writers by Thomas Crank ● Teach and play in minutes ● Great for filler activities ● Hold interest with game variations ● Teach critical writing skills ● Low prep Visit www.crankoutwords.com for additional writing resources. Introduction This book teaches you how to play 6 writing dice games—all using a six­sided die. Use these games to warm up the creative side of your brain, to escape from writer’s block, or to just have fun with your friends. You’ll learn how to play each game AND how to try out different variations of each game to keep things exciting and increase replay value. Now, grab your dice, your pen, your paper—and let’s write! Note to Teachers The following games make great warm­up activities to get your students in the mood for writing. They are also great filler activities for the last couple minutes of class when you find yourself with extra time. All games are low prep and take only minutes to learn—giving your students more time to play (and write). You can also incorporate these games directly into your lesson plans to give students extra practice in key writing skills, such as plot, conflict, sentence variety, and descriptive writing. For this reason, I’ve included a Skills category under each game’s description for your convenience. 1 Table of Contents Sentence Telescoper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Write a story, but the die will randomly determine your sentence length. Random Story Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 This storytelling game will twist your story in unexpected directions by adding interesting transitions. Dueling Narrators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Two narrators. One wants a happy ending. The other wants a tragedy. Crazy Writing Workout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7 Every minute, perform a random activity. Then return to writing. Sentence Variety Derby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Think creatively to fit your story to the randomly rolled sentence kind. Story Arc Mash­u p . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 –10 Start with an idea, but the die determines how your story unfolds. 2 Sentence Telescoper Description: Write a story, but the die will randomly determine your sentence length. This game is great for learning how to create sentence variety and onomatopoeias. The game may be played solo or with up to four players. Skills: ●
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Sentence variety Using sentence fragments creatively Creative problem solving Creative storytelling Players: 1 –4 Materials: ●
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One 6­sided die Sketchbook or scratch paper Pen or pencil Instructions: 1. Before beginning, decide how the game will end. You could set a timer, write a certain number of sentences, write until the story is complete—whatever works best for you or your group. 2. Write a short story on the topic of your choice. You will write it sentence by sentence. Choose a player to begin. Each player will write one sentence. Play passes to the left. 3. On your turn, roll the die. The resulting number represents how many words you can use in your sentence. Write your sentence. When you are done, pass the die a
nd the story t o the next player. Note: You do not have to write in complete sentences. Sometimes creative writers choose sentence fragments or sound effects to make their stories more interesting. Variations: ●
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Play in partners. When rolling a 2–6, players must make a complete, actual sentences—no fragments allowed. Reroll all 1s. While one player shares his/her sentence, the other checks that the sentence is complete. Roll the die once at the beginning of play. Every sentence in your story must have that many words. Multiply all die rolls by 5, so your sentences will have between 5–30 words. (H
int: To create longer sentences, connect two or more sentences together using commas and a conjunction, such as a
nd o
r b
ut .) 3 Random Story Transitions Description: This storytelling game will twist your story in unexpected directions by adding interesting transitions randomly rolled on the die. It may be played individually, but it is better in a group. Skills: ●
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Storytelling Parts of a story Transition words Players: 2+ Materials: ●
One 6­sided die Instructions: 1. Before beginning, decide how the game will end. You could set a timer, take a certain number of turns, play until the story feels complete—whatever works best for you you or your group. 2. Choose a player to go first. THIS PLAYER WILL NOT ROLL THE DIE THIS TURN. Instead, the player will start a story from his/her imagination. Start by introducing a character and setting, describing them out loud in 1–3 sentences. 3. Pass the die to the player on your left. Player 2 rolls the die and matches the number rolled to a transition from the Transition List below. Start a new sentence that begins with the transition rolled, continuing the story aloud from where Player 1 left off. 4. Play continues in a clockwise direction, each player rolling the die and telling a new section of the story starting with the transition he or she rolls. Transition List: 1.
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All of a sudden . . . Fortunately, . . . This led [the main character] to . . . Meanwhile . . . Little did [the main character] know . . . Later . . . Variations: ●
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Come up with your own transitions to replace any or all of the ones provided. Write them down so everyone can see them. Combine this game with the rules for Dueling Narrators (page 5) by splitting the players into two groups: one group will play as the protagonist, and the other will play as the antagonist. The antagonist group will try to turn the story into failure for the protagonist, while the protagonist tries to succeed. 4 Dueling Narrators Description: Play this game in partners or divide players into two even teams. Partner one (or team one) plays the “good narrator” who wants to turn the story into a comedy (a story with a happy ending, not necessarily a funny one). Partner two (or team two) plays the “bad narrator” who wants to turn the story into a tragedy (one that ends in the demise of the protagonist). Players take turns writing a paragraph of 2–5 sentences, rolling a die to determine their subject matter. Skills: ●
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Comedy vs. Tragedy Parts of a story Creative storytelling Players: 2 (or teams of 2–3) Materials: ●
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One 6­sided die Sketchbook or scratch paper Pen or pencil Instructions: 1. If playing in teams, sit alternating players in a circle so each player sits next to a player from the opposing team. 2. Choose someone to go first. Player one DOES NOT ROLL THE DIE. Instead, player one will start a story from his/her imagination, introducing a character and setting in 1–3 sentences. 3. Pass the paper, pen/pencil, and the die to the player on the left. Player two, rolls the die and matches the number rolled to a subject from the Subject List below. Player two writes 1–3 sentences about the subject rolled. 4. Play continues in a clockwise direction, each player rolling the die and adding 1–3 sentences about the subject rolled. The “good narrator” player (or team) should try to make the protagonist succeed, while the “bad narrator” player (or team) should try to make the protagonist fail. 5. If playing in partners: Play continues for 10 turns. 6. If playing in teams: Play continues until each player has taken 2 turns Subject List: 1.
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The protagonist meets someone/something. The protagonist changes locations. An event happens to the protagonist. The protagonist gets a new item/tool/object. The protagonist undergoes a major change. Plot twist! 5 Crazy Writing Workout Description: As you write a story, the teacher (or another player) rolls a six­sided die once every minute, introducing active twists in the game that will force you to move. Your story may never be the same again. Great activity for those days when you just don’t feel like writing, when you feel a little restless and need to move. Skills: This one is just for fun, but I usually follow this activity with a period of quiet writing to let students calm down again. This is just a fun way to get them writing and moving. They will also have a blast reading the resulting stories aloud to each other when the activity is over (you can do this in partners or small groups). Players: 4 + Materials: ●
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One 6­sided die Timer 1 Sketchbook or scratch paper (for each student) Pen or pencil (for each student) Instructions: 1. Choose a writing prompt for this activity. Create one of your own or visit www.crankoutwords.com/free­writing­prompts. You could also use The Random Story Machine game (get a free copy at www.crankoutwords.com/writing­games. Finally, if you have one of the books in the W
riter’s Sketchbook series, you can choose one of the writing prompts provided inside. 2. Set a timer for 1 minute. Players will write in response the prompt until the time is up. 3. When the time is up, players must stop on the EXACT L
ETTER they are writing without finishing. 4. Choose a player to roll the die. Match the number you roll to the corresponding activity in the Activity List below. Follow the direction listed in the activity and set the timer for another minute. 5. Continue rolling the die after every minute until you have completed the story, used up the class time, or everyone is worn out. Activity List: 1.
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Switch papers with someone and continue where they left off. Write with your off­hand (right­handed players write with their left hand). Turn your paper upside down. Stand up and spin in a circle five times. Then continue writing. Sit on the floor and continue writing. Stand on one foot and write. 6 Variations for T
he Crazy Writing Workout : Switch out activities in the Activity List to keep things interesting (you can do this at any time during the game). Here are some suggestions, but you can come up with your own or take suggestions from the class: 1. Armwrestle another student while writing. The loser spins in a circle five times. 2. Write in Pig Latin. 3. Write backwards. 4. Switch seats with someone in the classroom. 5. Everyone crumples their papers and throws it at someone. Each person takes a crumpled paper near them, unfolds it, continues writing. 6. Do ten jumping jacks. Then continue writing. 7. Mix three of the options together (example: Spin in a circle five times. Crumple your paper and throw it at someone. Then write backwards.) 8. Fold your paper into a paper airplane and try to hit the target specified by the teacher. 9. Write in teeny­tiny letters. 10. Write in GIGANTIC letters. 11. Draw each word in a bubble font. 12. Write while crawling across the floor, scooting your paper along with you. 13. Clap after every finished word. 14. Stand up and and sit back down after every finished word. 15. Capitalize every other letter. 16. Say every word aloud as you write it. 17. Sit next to someone, keeping your paper in front of you. Reach over to their story and continue where they left off while they continue writing yours. Keep the papers in front of the original owners at all times. 18. Write with a partner. Switch papers after every word. 19. Race to a spot in the classroom indicated by the teacher. Then race back to your chair and continue writing. 20. Select a student. This student chooses the activity (teacher must approve). 7 Sentence Variety Derby Description: This game requires a working knowledge of several kinds of sentences. I use this game after I teach my students different sentence variety techniques. It’s a fun way to get them using what they learn—in unexpected ways. Skills: ●
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Sentence­combining Sentence variety Passive voice Avoiding comma splices and run­ons Using sentence fragments creatively Players: 1 + Materials: ●
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Working knowledge of sentence variety techniques One 6­sided die Sketchbook or paper Pen or pencil Instructions: 1. Choose a writing prompt for this activity. Create one of your own or visit www.crankoutwords.com/ free­writing­prompts. You could also use The Random Story Machine game (get a free copy at www.crankoutwords.com/writing­games. Finally, if you have one of the books in the W
riter’s Sketchbook series, you can choose one of the writing prompts provided inside. 2. Roll the die and match it to the corresponding type of sentence from the Sentence Variety Chart below. Write one sentence. 3. Roll the die after every sentence until your story is complete. Sentences must continue the story, not just be randomly written. Sentence Variety Chart: 1.
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Fragment Simple Compound Complex Compound­Complex Passive Voice Variations: ●
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Play in partners and check each other’s sentences to make sure they follow the rules. Play as a class. Each student continues the story by sharing one sentence aloud. Roll the die once at the beginning of the activity. Write your entire story using this type of sentence. 8 Story Arc Mash­up Description: This game is a fun way to get your students to learn and use different parts of stories. They will introduce new conflict, describe detailed settings and characters, add dialogue, etc. Sure, it’s a bit random, but this randomness often reminds students that there’s more to stories than just exposition. Skills: ●
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Plot Setting description Character description Character development Dialogue Conflict Players: 1 + Materials: ●
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One 6­sided die Sketchbook or paper Pen or pencil Instructions: 1. Before beginning, decide how the game will end. You could set a timer, take a certain number of turns, play until the story feels complete—whatever works best for you or your group. 2. Choose a writing prompt for this activity. Create one of your own or visit www.crankoutwords.com/ free­writing­prompts. You could also use The Random Story Machine game (get a free copy at www.crankoutwords.com/writing­games. Finally, if you have one of the books in the W
riter’s Sketchbook series, you can choose one of the writing prompts provided inside. 3. Roll the die and match the number rolled to the corresponding story element from the Story Element Chart below. Write one section of your story (1–3 paragraphs), following the directions of the story element rolled. Roll the die for the next element. 4. Continue rolling and writing until your story is complete or the time limit has expired. Story Element Chart: 1. Dialogue Scene—Write a scene where two or more characters are talking. 2. New Problem—Present a new obstacle the character has to overcome. Then make some progress toward solving it. 3. Character Development—Introduce a new aspect of your character through description, thoughts, actions, or dialogue. 4. Action Scene—Write a car chase, foot chase, fight scene, emotional confrontation. Use this scene to push the character(s) to their physical and emotional limits and move the story forward. 5. Setting Description—Provide extra­detailed description of a setting (new or old). Use this to push the story forward in some way. 6. Your choice—Choose any of the other five options above. 9 Variations for Story Arc Mash­up: 1. Combine this game with any of the others. Your story may become more of a challenge when you have to control your sentence length with Sentence Telescoper, or you may have to think of creative stylistic choices with Sentence Variety Derby. Then again, maybe you want to get some exercise while you write, using Crazy Writing Workout to keep you moving. 10 Find many more writing resources at crankoutwords.com: 11