Antony West (Author)

The ‘So What?’ test. A story isn’t just a series of events; it has a point. It should make the reader feel something, think something, or learn something. Doug Lemov’s ‘Ratio’ concept can be used here. We need to ensure that the students are not just writing for the sake of writing, but are thinking about the deeper meaning. Ask them to write down the ‘So What?’ of their story in a single sentence. “This story is about a boy who…” “And the point is…” It’s a simple exercise, but it forces them to think about the ultimate purpose of their narrative. And a story with a purpose is a story that sticks with you.