Short Story Project Planning Guide Part One: Characteristics About Self Answer each part about yourself. These answers will help you to create a character later on that is based on you. I. Physical Description 1. Description of head and face 2. Description of body 3. Types of clothes 4. Types of shoes 5. Any particular style you associate with them II. Emotional Description 1. What is your personality? 2. Do you act differently with different people explain why? 3. What are your thoughts about any hot topics in the news? 4. How do you feel when you are presented with a. A challenge b. Fear c. A love interest d. A lost puppy e. A homeless person asking for money f. Failure g. Sadness 5. What do your answers say about you? IV. What do you think about others? 1. Your perceptions about a. Gangs b. Members of sports teams c. Students who earn all As d. The outcast e. Rich people f. Famous people g. Police or Firemen h. Family members 2. What do your answers communicate about you? V. Actions 1. What would you do if you saw... a. An older woman being attacked b. An 8 year old being attacked by 3 older kids c. A puppy wandering on the street d. Found a wallet with $340 and an ID in it e. Went to the store to buy a snack and you saw that a woman did not have enough money to buy her two year old food
f. Had someone offer you the answers to you test g. Saw your friend cheat on the test Part Two: Choosing A Partner and Committing Once you choose your partner, the two of you will send ONE email to me (michele.fruchter@lausd.net) that includes that answers to the following questions. Each partner must answer the questions. Then, copy the ending the statement and both sign your name. 1. My partner is. 2. I am choosing them because. 3. A problem that might come up is. 4. What is your plan to solve this problem?. 5. Is this the best possible choice for my grade?. Copy the following sentence and sign both names. I am aware that I will not be able to change my partner for the duration of the project. Part Three: Genres 1. Research each genre and note the following information. I. Western i ii II. Fantasy i ii
III. Science Fiction i ii IV. Mystery i ii 2. Pick a genre for your story 3. Create 3 possible ideas for your story based on your chosen genre and then choose one. 4. Create 2 main characters: Name and brief description. Protagonist: Antagonist: 5. Create the conflict: In one sentence describe the conflict. Then identify they type of conflict and whether it is internal or external. Conflict: Conflict Type: Internal or External:
6. Create the setting: A. Time: Location: Backstory: B. Neighborhood Map Draw a map that describes the neighborhood where your story will take place. What are the major landmarks, places, streets, etc? Make sure to include as many details as possible, including the type of terrain (land, water, grass, etc.) Include a legend that describes your various markings. C. On a separate sheet of paper, write the introduction to your story. Include the main characters, setting, and conflict. Include a simile to help describe the setting. (Email when completed) Part Four: Character Creation 1. Character map see website for notes and picture. 2. Draw full character in color. One drawing needed for each character. (Email as attachment.) 3. On a separate sheet of paper, complete the following character description for each character: a) Name, physical description/appearance b) Personality and feelings about other characters and/or issues c) What they think about other characters d) What other characters think about them e) Metaphor that describes them in some way (Email completed answers.) Protagonist: Antagonist: Part Five: Plot Creation Conflict: Conflict Type: Man Vs Internal or External?
1. You will create a short story of three paragraphs (beginning, middle, and end). On a separate sheet of paper using bullet points, create the main points of your story. 2. Using your bullet points, fill- in the Plot Diagram Worksheet that was handed out in class (or on the website). (Email when completed) Part Six: Story Writing When writing, remember to use descriptive writing (sensory language)and to write the events in sequence. 1. Draft One: Paragraph 1: Exposition Paragraph 2: Rising action and the last sentence is your climax Paragraph 3: Falling action and resolution 2. Draft Two: (Typed) Include meaningful dialogue, transition words (4 needed), and at least 2 metaphors, 1 simile and 1 personification. 3. Final Draft: (Typed) Make sure that story is all in the same tense. Check for appropriate punctuation, spelling, and grammar. All language must be academic. Part Seven: Creative Piece Choose one of the following options to use for a creative interpretation of your story. You will present/perform your piece to/for the class. A) Rap song: appropriate language, must completely tell your story, and have appropriate chorus B) Movie Poster: Main scene or image, use of a major symbol, tag line, and appropriately capture point of story C) Poem: may be free verse or rhyming, must capture story, may use a different perspective if desired (different narrator) D) Modern Dance: original and choreographed to represent the visual telling of the story, will be performed, must have appropriate music. Part Eight: Reflection Use the reflection questions from the previous project to write your reflection. Each partner will write his/her own reflection. They must be one page, typed.