Short Story Assignment
Write an original short story about one of the topics below:
Choice
#1: Write a short story about
revenge perhaps in the genre of mystery.
Choice
#2: Write a short story about
overcoming adversity perhaps in the genre of adventure.
Choice
#3: Write a short story about
ambitions perhaps in the genre of adventure.
Choice
#4: Write a short story about
determination perhaps in the genre of science fiction or fantasy.
Choice
#5: Write a short story about an
unexpected event perhaps in the genre of romance.
Stage #1: Begin
by preparing a list of brainstorming/prewriting ideas. Make decisions about which ideas you will and
will not use in your short story.
Stage #2: Organize your ideas into categories.
Stage #3: Write
your hand-written, double-spaced draft copy, including each of the
following: description, narration, and
dialogue.
Keep in mind a well
written story often contains figures of speech, flashbacks, stereotypes, comic
relief, symbolism, foreshadowing, and/or subplots.
Remember
to use the proper conventions of writing.
Stage #4: Meet
with two separate classmates to edit your short story together. Please ask me questions about your writing
that neither of you are able to answer.
Make changes to your
work in your own writing in a different colour of pen or pencil.
Have both of your
student editors initial your work after it has been proofread.
Stage #5: Think
of an appropriate title for your short story.
Stage #6: Prepare your final, typed copy: two to three pages in length when formatted
in Times New Roman and 12 point font.
Your title will appear
on the top of your first page followed by your name, class, and date. A title page is not needed.
Outline Sheet
Name:____________________
Class:____________________
Date:_____________________
1. INRODUCTION
Protagonist’s name:_____________________________
Three Character Traits:___________________________
____________________________
____________________________
Antagonist(s)’s name(s):__________________________ ________________________
Three Character Traits:___________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ________________________
____________________________ ________________________
Setting (time and place):____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Emotional setting/Atmosphere of story (details such a lighting, weather, and
expression):
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. INITIAL INCIDENT
Statement of
Conflict:______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. RISING ACTION
Episode #1 leading to the
Climax:____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Episode #2 leading to the
Climax:____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Episode #3 leading to the Climax:____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. CLIMAX
Highest point of action in short story:__________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. FALLING ACTION
Tie up lose ends:__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. CONCLUSION
End your short
story:_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Feeling left with reader at the conclusion of story
(Mood):_________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Point of
View:____________________________________________________________
Theme(s):_______________________________________________________________
Tone, or attitude of a writer towards your
subject:________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
