Creative Writing Assigment:

The Past Affects the Future

Option 1 - Personal Essay

Using the form of a PERSONAL ESSAY, how one (or more) mistakes has changed you or your life.

A few notes:

  • Since this is a personal essay, using first person perspective(“I”) is both allowed and encouraged. The writing style can be casual.
  • Form: 5 paragraph essay

-Intro with hook, thesis, 3 points

-3 body paragraphs to develop ideas (with topic sentences and development)

-A conclusion that sums up your ideas and leaves the reader with a final thought.

  • Incorporate anecdotes (short, interesting personal stories) into your essay.
  • Use transition words to link your ideas.
  • Use figures of speech (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole) to make your essay more interesting and engaging.
  • Be sincere and honest – use this assignment as a way of expressing yourself, and exploring your own identity.
  • Your essay can be humorous or serious, or a combination of the two.
  • Though this is a personal essay, and you should explore the subject in depth, don’t feel obliged to write about anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Length: 600-1000 words Due: ______

Creative Writing Assigment:

The Past Affects the Future

Option 2 - Short Story

Write a short story in which you illustrate how one (or more) mistakes changes your protagonist, or changes their life.

A few notes:

  • You may choose to write your piece in 1st person, or 3rd person POV.
  • Your story must have a clear conflict (either internal or external).
  • Your story must clearly use triangular plot structure (see next page).
  • Your story can begin in media res – that is, begin your story in the midst of the action. This
  • Your piece should contain
  • Figures of speech (similes, metaphors, personification)
  • Characterization and character development
  • Imagery
  • Compelling dialogue
  • Neither the protagonist nor the antagonist can contract a terminal illness or be killed, through murder or coincidence, to resolve the conflict.
  • The story cannot end with waking from a dream. Seriously. Never.

Length: 600-1000 words Due: ______

Story Plan:

Conflict: What is the main problem in the story? Describe it briefly

Setting(s): Where will the story take place? Remember that

Characters (limit to around 3 – indicate the Protagonist)

Plot plan: -- the Beginning, Middle, and End (Remember the Plot Triangle?)

  1. Exposition – What is the basic scenario at the beginning of your story?
  1. Rising Action – How does the CONFLICT show up?
  1. How does it get worse? What steps do the protagonists take to try to solve it?
  1. Climax – What is the most intense, make-or-break moment in the story?
  1. Falling Action – How is the conflict resolved? How do things fall into place?
  1. Resolution – what is the basic situation by the end of the story? What has the protagonist (or the reader) learned as a result of the action?