Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow

Use these activities to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity. 

Stream-of-Consciousness Narration

A stream of consciousness narration mirrors an individual’s organic thought process. Like a “stream” of water, the thoughts from the individual continue to flow from their mind to the paper. This form of writing is told from the first-person perspective and can change quite suddenly to a different topic, which may be prompted by a sudden memory from the author. As a result, such narration styles are highly personal and organic.

Doria’s narration style is an example of a stream of consciousness narration; this is because the topics change quite quickly and are written in a personal and familiar tone. To the reader, this stream of consciousness style sounds similar to a diary, as if each chapter is a different entry in her personal journal.

Write your own stream of consciousness narration. Using the one-sentence prompt from your teacher, begin writing your thoughts as they flow from your brain. Do not worry about the type of thought or if it makes sense with your other thoughts; stream of consciousness works best when the writer writes all thoughts without limitations or inhibitions. Self-editing is discouraged in this writing exercise.

Teaching Suggestion: Students should receive a one-sentence prompt about a specific topic or event (e.g., Describe your day so far). Then, using this prompt, they will begin their stream of consciousness writing. Depending on what works best in the class, all students can receive the same prompt, or they may differ among students. Given the personal nature of stream of consciousness, this activity works best as an individual writing practice. If students feel uncomfortable writing in this format, offer additional examples of this writing style, and encourage them to keep trying. Students can complete this activity either in class or at home, and volunteers can share their writing with the class.

Paired Text Extension:

Virginia Woolf is another writer who wove the stream of consciousness style into her works, including in her novel Mrs. Dalloway. While Guène writes from the perspective of a fictional character’s stream of consciousness, Woolf incorporated stream of consciousness into both her fiction and nonfiction works.

Teaching Suggestion: This link from Oregon State University provides an overview of stream-of-consciousness, as well as myriad writers, including Woolf, who wrote in this style.