Writing A Short Story

                             WRITING A SHORT STORY:

Outline = 25 points             Short Story = 100 points

            Every student will be responsible for writing one short story of 5-10 pages of length.  Each story must be about the search for identity in some way and each student must be able to explain this search to class.  It should be fictional, though it could contain some real events.  The story must have a protagonist, an antagonist, a dynamic character, a static character, conflict and all parts of plot—exposition, inciting event, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.  Furthermore the protagonist must be a round character who completely aligns him/herself with the three elements of characterization (check your notes).  The dynamic character must fit the three elements of believable change (check your notes).  You will be graded, partially on how well you meet the above requirements.  You will also be graded on your development of character, plot, your voice, sentence structure, conventions, and use of physical descriptions to allow the reader into the world of your story. 

            While very few authors begin with a detailed theme written out, all authors do begin a story by prewriting.  Depending on the story and how the story is driven (plot, characterization, or theme) they either jot down ideas for events, a physical and emotional description of the main characters or they describe a situation in which a character might or might not change in some radical way.  All authors do think about point of view and their exposition.  Every story will need to go through an outline guide (this guide), and two drafts. 

1^st Draft DUE DATE: 10/27

IDEA FOR STORY: 10/21

My story is driven by  PLOT/ CHARACTERIZATION/ THEME

(circle one)

Point of view:

Type of conflict:

Briefly describe the conflict:

Setting of story:

Ideas for plot (make a list—use back if necessary):

CHARACTERS (begin a list of characters you think you want to include in your story and begin to briefly describe them.  List both their emotion and physical description.  Also discuss if a character is dynamic, static, flat or round).

PROTAGONIST:

Antagonist (if it is a character):

Other characters:

Briefly describe the major events in your story:

Most authors begin writing out their exposition and some of them figure out their resolution before they begin writing.  All authors think about parts of plot.  A close friend of my says that the key to fiction is simple:  “Every event must further the plot.  If it does not get rid of it.” 

EXPOSTION (remember this is an introduction to the main character, the setting and contains a hint at the main idea of the story):

RESOLUTION:

Any important tools that you want to use in your story—you must use figurative language (examples: allusions, foreshadows, metaphors, symbols, similes, descriptions, dialogue):

Give examples of these tools: