1 Mr. Cerny/Mr. Fisher Name:____________________ 10th English/Language Arts 4th Quarter Short Story Writing Activity Writing the Short Story Overview: The culminating activity for this unit is a short story written by the student. The short story must be typed and include all of the elements that were taught. There will be brainstorming, outlining, several drafts and a final submission during the quarter. All will be portfolio requirements. Due-dates will be provided in class. Short Story Task-Completion Requirements: • • • • •

Typed: Yes (exception: steps 1, 2 and 3 above may be hand-written) Heading: Your name, my name, period, date at the top left corner Page Number: Top-right corner Title: 1 space down from heading, must creatively reflect the conflict of your story Short Story Elements: plot, conflict, stated theme, setting information, character (at least 1), direct characterization, indirect characterization, snapshot, thoughtshot (THERE IS NO PAGE LENGTH REQUIREMENT!)

Basic Requirements:

Connected Due-dates:

1. Character Card (at least 1) 2. Plot Outline (graphic representation of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution (denoument)) 3. Rough Draft (must show peer-editing marks) 4. 1st Draft (must include all short story elements and peer-editing marks) 5. Final Draft (must include all short story elements) 6. Reflection/implied theme from a peer (standard 1-page reflection with a written statement of the implied them from a peer) • Optional: dramatic reading (see your teacher for more information)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. •

Card Outline R-Draft 1st Draft F- Draft Reflection Reading

_______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

Reflection Task-Completion Requirements: • • • • • •

Typed: Yes (exception: peer response about implied theme) Heading: Your name, my name, period, date at the top left corner Page Number: Top-right corner Title: 1 space down from heading, should read: Reflection and Implied Theme from Your Story Title Writing: at least four paragraphs (introduction, what you did well, what you need to improve, conclusion) Implied theme from peer: have someone read your story and write using complete sentences what they think is the implied theme. Make sure they write their name after their response

Rubric (Provided on back)

2

Short Story Writing Rubric Criteria Voice (Point of view/ perspective and effective use of dialogue)

Organization (Short Story elements)

Scoring Guide 1

2

3

4

Story is presented with no clear choice of First or Third Person, and has little dialogue

Story is generally written in First or Third Person, but inappropriately switches between the two

Story is clearly written in First or Third Person throughout and in active voice (excluding dialogue)

Story demonstrates mastery by showing a direct and obvious purpose for choosing either First or Third Person and active voice (excluding dialogue)

Several Story Elements are missing

One Story Element is missing

All Story Elements are present

All Story Elements are present and clearly used to further the Theme or Moral of the story

All of the characters are static

Characters show minimal change throughout the story, but are not fully developed

Either a main or secondary character shows development from the beginning to the end of the story using thoughts and actions

Either a main or secondary character shows development from the beginning to the end of the story using thoughts, actions, and dialogue. The character development has direct and obvious impact on the Theme or Moral.

Grammar and spelling issues make the story difficult to comprehend.

Grammar and spelling detract from the reader’s experience.

Grammar and spelling do not detract from the reader’s experience.

Grammar and spelling enhance and enrich the reader’s experience.

Work is typed, but has significant internal format errors, no heading, and/or pages are not numbered

Work is typed, but has internal format errors; heading is present but not formatted correctly; pages are not numbered

Work is typed with minor internal formatting errors.

Work is typed with no formatting errors.

Ideas (Character Development- both direct and indirect characterization are required)

Conventions (grammar/spelling/ Word choice)

Formatting (See page 1 for format requirements)

Interpreting Your Score: (20=Outstanding, 19-15= Exceeds, 14-10= Meets, 9-5= Approaches, 4 or fewer = Below)

Points

/20