Some artists are more comfortable painting a subject in front of them. For example, Joseph Roulin sat for several of van Gogh's portraits. Van Gogh made twenty-five paintings of the Roulin family all together. People think he thought of them as a substitute family. Some painters, like Paul Gauguin, prefer to paint from imagination. Like painters, writers often use real or imagined events to build details. Which do you think is easier to write, a completely fictional story or one in which you organize from facts? Write the beginning of two different stories. In one story, describe your best friend. In the next story, create a make-believe world in which you travel to a magical island. After writing the beginning of both stories, explain which story was easier for you to write.

Here is the made up one...

Explanation:

As Mike was heading toward his house he had an allyway that was about a block before that. He had always been scared and ran past it because he thought there would be guys that would try to hurt him. This time, he had realized that no one was every there so he just casualy walked past it and a guy pulled him in and said,"give me all of your money!" Mike didn't know what to do because he was so scared and then suddenly the Silver Soildeir drops down and pushes them away and helps Mike up. Mike says," Why did you decide to help me out of everybody?" The soldier replied with,"you were the only one in trouble." They laughed and the silver soldier took Mike home and flew off.

each year on this day, i make it a point to listen to dr. martin luther king jr.’s great “i have a dream” speech. it’s electrifying every single time.

the content of dr. king’s speech, his inspiring presence, and the moment in history all came together to make the iconic “i have a dream” speech the defining moment of the american civil rights movement. but there are several other reasons why this speech, delivered over 50 years ago, remains an example of one of the best speeches in american history.

since part of my job is to people become better presenters, i’ve noticed several techniques that we can all learn from and be inspired by in this magnificent speech.

it’s anchored in a powerful related location

in most cases, you can’t handpick the spot to give a presentation, as mlk did for supreme symbolic effect when he stood on the steps of the lincoln memorial and echoed the opening words of the gettysburg address (“five score years ago . . ). but you absolutely can amplify your message by adapting it to your setting and location.