To Build A Fire by Jack London (Alternate Ending Writing Project)

Alternative ending project for Jack London's To Build a Fire: students diagram the real plot, pick a point where events could change, plan a new plot diagram and write an ending of at least two pages in the third person.
Year levels
Years 10–12
File type
PDF
Preparation
Print ready

Updated Jul 15, 2022

Subject
Creative Writing, Writing, English
Topic
Writing Project, Alternate Ending
Resource types
Activities
Preparation
Print ready
Australian Curriculum content descriptions
AC9E9LE06 — create

From the author

About this resource

This is a super fun project I've done each year with my ESL classes but it would be perfect to do with any lower or upper secondary students!

In this packet, students will complete a plot diagram for the story, identify a spot where a critical error was made (there are a few to pick from so everyone's stories will be different!) and then create a NEW plot diagram starting from that point! This helps the students create an alternative ending!

*Need a follow up activity? Read the original 1902 version of "To Build a Fire" and compare it to the better known remake from 1908!*

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

  • Identify a turning point in To Build a Fire

  • Explain how changing one event affects the characters and theme

  • Write an alternative ending consistent with the original setting and theme

Skills covered

  • Plot analysis — diagramming the original story's events

  • Narrative writing — drafting a new ending in the third person

Good to know

Questions teachers ask about this resource

What should students have done before starting the project?

Students need to have read To Build a Fire beforehand; the story text is not part of this packet.

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Australian Curriculum (Version 9.0)

Australian Curriculum content descriptions

Australian Curriculum content descriptions

  • AC9E9LE06 — create and edit literary texts, that may be a hybrid, that experiment with text structures, language features and literary devices for purposes and audiences

Core concepts

  • Plot diagram

  • Turning point

  • Third-person point of view

  • Theme

  • Setting

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