Languagelab 18.4

Master Action Start

Create drama right from the start

Tension!

Compare to...

It was a bright Sunday

morning...

Which is better?

Example of Tension “Alex Tan!”

Alex shot up in his seat. The whole class

laughed but Mrs Tan's steely gaze stopped it instantly.

Dialogue + Body Gestures in a Problem

Use Dialogues for Tension

“Alex Tan!”

“We were friends. Until yesterday.” “None of your business.”

“I am visiting a friend in jail.”

Use Body Gestures for Tension

Alex shot up in his seat We froze in our tracks We could not help but stare

We held our heads down

Use Problems for Tension

The boy's bicycle careened off the tracks and into a wall and

something cracked.OR

The boy's father slapped so hard that it sent the boy crumpling on the

floor.

Combine them all “Watch Out!” (D)

The boy's bicycle careened off the tracks and into a wall and something cracked. (P)

For a moment, we stood there staring, then ran towards the boy. He was screaming by then. (BL)

Learning ActivityImprove this with action start:

“Riinnnggg!” the alarm clock rang.

Learning Activity Answer“Wait!” (D)

I dashed across the road without even looking. The bus seemed intent on leaving without me - the faster I

ran, the faster it drove off. (BL)It was then that I knew that all hopes

were lost. (P)

Learning MilestonesWhat is action start?What are the benefits?

Learning Milestones CheckAction start creates tension in the

beginning with dialogues and body gestures in a problem.

It creates interest from the reader from the start.

More on Action StartDownload free worksheets from: www.languagelab.sg/books (Look for Learning Guide 18)

OR Download 'Playwerkz' from Google Playstore: