Grace Martin

My snow day story involved the treacherous drive to work. It began with the snow not falling yet. Sunday morning, the weather was freezing. I knew that I had work but believed that it would be cancelled. As I drove into work, I found that the weather was picking up. The storm was brewing and has no plans of slowing down.

As I went into work, I realized that it was unsafe to be out on the roads as there was a storm warning. As I got a call demanding me to drive home, I knew that I would have to brave the elements outside. I found that the roads gradually were getting worse. As I was making it closer and closer to Lasell, my heart raced. All of a sudden while driving down a snowy road, my car skidded. I quickly turned my wheel to combat the skid. My car almost gave out! I finally made to Lasell University.

Etiological

Etiological stories explain the origin of a mythical phenomenon. It begins with the before, as in before the snow started in the case of my story. Then, the transformation occurs inciting the how or why of the change. This would be a mythical intervention in the case of my story. Finally, the result occurs whereas the snow exists in the case of my snow day story.

Two other examples of etiological myths would be how the cheetah got its spots or how mountains exist.

5 Act

Similar to a jagged mountain peak, the 5 act structure involves an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. To translate to my story, it would begin with the exposition of me waking up. Then, the rising action would be the treacherous drive into work. The climax would be the battle on the roads as my car skidded out. Then, the falling action would be how I tried to walk through the scary snow into my dorm room. Finally, the resolution: safe at my dorm room.

Other stories that involve the 5-act structure would be: Romeo and Juliet and The Godfather.

Hero’s journey

Translating my story to The Hero’s Journey, it would begin with the call to adventure or the call to work. Then the supernatural aid, in this case the mythical snow fairy, would be my help. Then, the snow gods or threshold guardians would begin the snow. Various challenges would occur thus leading to the revelation and transformation. Finally, the atonement and return to my dorm room.

Examples of this model would be The Hunger Games and Interstellar.

3 Act Structure

The three act structure would translate into my snow story including three acts being the drive to work, the drive home, and walking in the snow to my dorm. The various challenges would involve the snow and the weather.

Examples of the 3 act story would be Star Wars and The Matrix.

Inverted Pyramid

The inverted pyramid is difficult. My story would translate interestingly because the pyramid begins with the basics of the story such as my background. Then, important details would include the snow storm. Finally, the other general information would be about my snow history.

I am unsure of any examples.

Kishōtenketsu

This story telling model relates to my story because of how the twist would be my car giving out.

Examples include: My Neighbor Totoro

Reflection

My story changed from model to model because of the different elements added into it. In other words, my story became more complex given the various model used. The skidding of my car was emphasized throughout all of the stories.

Transition

I think that digital storytelling affordances could be translated into storytelling with collective authorship allowing a story to be written by many people sharing their own perspectives.