La 9
Short Story Unit – Creative Writing Project
Project Topic: Write a short story which is based on the “theme” of your life. Your “6 word” memoirs could be your starting point. You may write about yourself or other people, real or fictional. You may set your writing in the past, present, or future.
Drawn your ideas from:
- Draw your ideas from:
· Your personal experiences
· Discussions you may have had in class
- Materials you have read, heard, or seen (Ex: books,
newspapers/current events, videos, radio, & television)
When writing, be sure to:
- Budget your time to meet the deadlines
- Consider your audience
- Focus on your purpose and point of view
- Organize your thoughts appropriately in sentences and paragraphs
- Use vocabulary (word choice) that is interesting and effective
- Proofread and edit your work thoroughly
Requirements:
1) Proposal – prepare a plot diagram of your story.
- Begin by brainstorm ideas. Think about situations that you were involved in or even current events and make it into a fictional story.
2) Rough draft – 2 pages minimum, 3-4 pages MAXIMUM (double spaced, typed)
- This MUST be double spaced b/se we will be peer editing.
- Use the following questions as a checklist to make sure you have fully developed the plot:
1. Setting – who, what, when, where, why?
2. Characters – include physical characteristics, attitude, behaviour, personality traits, etc.
3. What is the point of the story, message or theme? Is is communicated directly or indirectly.?
4. Problem/conflict – what is the challenging situation?
5. Solution – how did the character(s) solve the conflict/problem?
- Features to include:
1. Well developed characters
2. Action verbs
3. Descriptive language that creates a picture in the reader’s mind
4. Linking words to do with time (during, after, before, etc.)
5. Written in first or third person
6. Dialogue between characters (do not overuse, follow rules, said is dead)
3) Final copy – 2 pages minimum, 4 pages MAXIMUM
- MUST be double spaced and typed
- You MUST hand in all drafts of your short story
- Title page
Tips:
1. Remember, you are only writing a single scene of a story. Do not create a complicated plot line because it will be much too difficult to develop it fully within three pages.
2. Construct your story in such a way that dialogue is unnecessary. If you do feel that you need dialogue, limit it to one or two sentences maximum.
3. Make the situation believable. Use realistic details to help you develop the plot.
4. Focus on developing the protagonist and antagonist only. Do not create too many characters because you need to take the time to develop those that are essential to the plot.
5. Remember to include your theme in the title of your work.