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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Family Rules (v. 2)
These exercises were written
by IWW members
and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its
members.
You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that
you found
them at the Internet Writers Workshop
(http://www.internetwritingworkshop.org/).
Prepared
by: Loretta Russell and Carter Jefferson
Posted on: November 25, 2007
Reposted, revised, on: November 30, 2008
Reposted on: January 10, 2010
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Exercise: In 400 words or less, write a scene in which a character
breaks a "family rule" and suggest what the consequences of this action
will be.
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Every therapist knows that families have "rules," some unconscious, and
some known and openly enforced. Are doors in the house always closed,
or open? Does the toilet paper always come out from the bottom or the
top of the roll? Do all the girls start wearing lipstick at age 10? Is
the boys' going out for sports teams essential? Is attendance required
at holiday dinners?
Such rules usually keep families moving smoothly. They are to families
what habits are to individuals--they save time and the effort of
constantly making decisions. But when a rule is broken, sometimes
serious trouble follows. And when people marry, bringing two sets of
family rules to the union, conflict often ensues.
In your sub, let your reader know, either by implication or through
dialog, what rule is in force. Show a character breaking it, or let us
know that it's been broken by showing us the reactions of other family
members.
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Exercise: In 400 words or less, write a scene in which a character
breaks a "family rule" and suggest what the consequences of this action
will be.
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In your critiques, let the writer know whether the rule in question is
clear and the consequences of breaking it are properly shown. Comment
on any aspect of the writing that needs improvement as well as
complimenting the writer for things well done.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Greg Gunther.
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