CBI Challenge, Module 11 Exercise, Part 1 – Analyze How Other Authors Create Endings

Mar 8th, 2010 | By Jon Bard | Category: The CBI Challenge

 

This exercise requires you to do a bit of reading and analyzing…

 

Fiction:

Choose several published books from the same age group and genre as your manuscript (preferably the same books you used in Module 7 when studying the catalyst), and summarize how the author resolved the plot. Now go back and look at the catalyst of these stories.

Did it raise a question that was answered in the resolution?

Then review the story’s middle. Write down pivotal points that turned the plot in the direction of the resolution. Also note at what page the resolution is revealed to the reader.

How long does the story continue after this point? Do you agree with the author’s decision?

Nonfiction:

You can do the same if studying narrative nonfiction. The “plot points” are the events in the subject’s life the author chose to highlight that lead the reader to whatever conclusion the author wants to reach.

For informational nonfiction, note how the author pulled the facts together at the end.

Did the final pages create excitement for the reader to want to learn more? Did the author give the reader some direction for further study?
 

Related posts:

  1. CBI Challenge Module 11 – Endings That Deliver
  2. CBI Challenge Exercise: Mapping the Middle
  3. CBI Challenge, Module 11 Exercise, Part 2 – Brainstorm: Where’s Your Story Heading?
  4. CBI Challenge, Module 10 Exercise, Part 2 – Creating an Outline
  5. Module 15 – Exercise 4: Work Through Your Flaws by Reading Your Favorite Authors

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