Year 9 Creative Writing

Year 9 English

The Photograph

Section 2 · Creative Writing · Use the tips below to plan and write your response

Write a narrative that shows why this place matters to your character and what happens when they return to it.

You can use one or more of the photographs below to inspire your narrative.

Pick one (or more) of the locations above as the setting for your story.

Sydney Harbour Bridge at golden hour

The bridge glows in warm amber light, the city skyline reflecting across the still water below.

A school entrance

A white school building with a sign out front, quiet and still — familiar to anyone who has walked through its gates.

The Australian outback

Golden grass stretches to the horizon beneath a wide sky. A lone gum tree stands in the distance, the red hills faint behind it.

A rope swing over a lake

A silhouette on a rope swing, suspended over glittering water at sunset, surrounded by the quiet of trees and light.

A family on a beach at sunset

Three silhouettes — two adults and a child — hold hands at the water's edge as the sun sinks below the horizon.

A train platform

A lone traveller with luggage waits as a train pulls into a quiet platform. The light is cool and still.

Who are your characters? Give your main character a name, age, and a reason they care about this place.
Where is your story set? Choose one (or more) of the photographs above.
What is the problem or complication? Something should change or be at stake when your character returns.
How will your story end? Plan a resolution — it does not have to be happy, but it should feel complete.

A photograph is a picture of a place and the people that are important to you.
A place could be a physical location: a park, a beach, a lookout, school, home.
The people that make the place important might be family, friends, pets, or teachers.
Think about: Where is the photo taken? Who is in it with you? Why is it important? How do you feel in this place? Describe using your five senses.

PhotographMemoryYesterdayDeterminedEnergeticEnthusiasticPowerfulGracefullyHopefullyDreamPonderConsiderRememberAdventure