Short Stories in American Literature = Unit-Culminating=20 Activity

By Carrie Johnson

=20 Over the last few weeks, we have studied the five major elements = of the=20 short story. (e.g. character, setting, plot, point of view, & = theme) You are ready to use what you = have=20 learned to write your own = short=20 story. I have = attached a=20 grading scale for this activity. = Your audience is not just your teacher for this assignment. We = will=20 submit our short stories to Read=20 magazine. You may wish to = enter Read=92s Voices contest. For = additional=20 information concerning contests and various publication options, visit = the=20 following website: http://www.resourcesforteens.c= om/. Teen Ink is by teens for = teenagers.

Assignment Requirements- Points will be deducted if = these=20 requirements are NOT met. See grading scale under the box = =93Presentation=94

=B7 =20 Minimum length- approximately 3-4 pages = (although=20 you may go over, within reason)

=B7 =20 Final draft must be TYPED. Double-spaced lines, 12 = font.

=B7 =20 Reflection- This should be included when = you turn=20 in your final draft on a separate piece of paper. (Typed or notebook is = acceptable.) Briefly (in 1 or 2 paragraphs) = discuss=20 whether or not you believe that this activity helped you to further = understand=20 the concept of the short story. =20 Points to ponder: Did it clarify how some of the conventions of = the short=20 story function? (e.g. setting, plot, p.o.v., etc) Overall, did you enjoy the = activity? If=20 not, what would you change?

All dates for working on the short story in class = will be=20 posted ahead of time so that you can bring necessary materials with you = to=20 class.

=FC =20 Tentative Schedule Subject to Change:

March 1-Brainstorming ideas and we will read short = stories=20 from Read.

March 3-In a brief paragraph, describe your short = story=20 idea. Very informal-just = want to=20 know what you are thinking about writing. Turn in at the end of = class.

March 5-Rough draft. =20 Bring this draft to class and we will work in groups and share = our=20 drafts. This may be a = very rough=20 draft for some of you or you may be well on your way.

March 8, 9, 10-We will work on our drafts in = class.

March 11-12-Computer lab

March 15-Final Draft is due.

=A8 =20 This culminating activity represents 25% = of your=20 total grade of the unit!!!

Assessment = Scoring=20 Guide

Organization

Draws the = reader in with=20 an inviting intro = & has a=20 satisfying = conclusion. Thoughtful transitions = clearly=20 show how ideas connect. Sequencing=20 is logical & effective. =20 Pacing is well=20 controlled. An = original title that captures the = central=20 theme of the piece. Organization flows smoothly & = matches the=20 purpose & = audience.=20

Recognizable = introduction=20 & conclusion. Transitions often work well, but some are fuzzy. = Sequencing shows some logic, but not consistently to support the = ideas.=20 Title is present, but uninspired. =20 Organization sometimes supports the story line. Pacing is = fairly=20 well controlled.

There is no = real intro;=20 no real conclusion to wrap things up. Connections between ideas or = scenes=20 are confusing or lacking. No title present or does does not match = well=20 w/content. Hard for the reader to understand the story line. Pacing feels awkward.=20

Voice

The tone of = the writing=20 adds interest to the = message=20 & appropriate for = the purpose=20 & audience. Writing is engaging & makes = you think about or react to = the=20 author=92s ideas.

The writer is = aware of=20 the purpose & audience but uses obvious generalities. Delights = or=20 moves the reader in 1 or 2 moments but quickly fades. Pleasant & = personable, but not=20 compelling.

Writer is not = concerned=20 with the audience-doesn=92t match the intended reader. Uses = monotone voice.=20 Writing is lifeless or mechanical. =

Sentence=20 Fluency

The sentences = vary in length as well as=20 structure. Uses creative &=20 appropriate connectives. Fragments, if used, add style. = Dialogue=20 sounds natural; always clear which character is speaking. = Sentences=20 constructed in a way that enhances the meaning. Writing has cadence.

Sentences are = more=20 mechanical than fluid. =20 Usually constructed correctly. Sentence beginnings are = not all=20 alike; some variety attempted. Have to hunt sometimes for = connectives that=20 show sentences interrelate. =20 Parts of the text may be stiff or awkward. Too much or too = little=20 dialogue.

.Choppy, = incomplete, or=20 rambling sentences. Phrasing is unnatural. No =93sentence sense=94 = present.=20 Many sentences begin the same way in a monotonous pattern. Endless = connectives or lack thereof. Dialogue used but not clear which = character=20 is speaking.

Word=20 Choice

Words are specific & = accurate-easy to=20 understand just what the writer means. Striking words & = phrases that=20 catch the reader=92s mind. Language & phrasing is natural, appropriate, & = effective for audience. Uses lively verbs, specific = nouns &=20 modifiers. Writer has taken care to use the right word in the = right=20 spot.

Words are accurate & correct. Words = & phrases=20 communicate but don=92t capture attention. Language needs to be = refined. Words & phrases are = functional=20 w/1 or 2 fine moments. Uses passive verbs & everyday = nouns.

Attempts at = colorful=20 lang.-not natural-thesaurus overload.

Writer shows = a limited=20 vocabulary or has not searched for words to convey specific = meaning. Words=20 just don=92t work. Problems w/ the language leaves the reader = wondering.=20 Words & phrases are unimaginative & lifeless. Uses jargons = or=20 cliches which distract or mislead.

Conventions=20

Spelling is correct-even difficult words. Punctuation is = accurate. Capitalization skills = present=20 consistently. Grammar = & usage=20 are correct. Paragraphing is sound. May manipulate = conventions for=20 stylistic effect & it works. Very close to being ready to=20 publish.

Spelling is = usually=20 correct or reasonably phonetic common words. End punctuation is = usually=20 correct.(dashes, colons, commas sometimes wrong) Most words are=20 capitalized correctly. Some problems with grammar but doesn=92t = distort=20 meaning. Moderate editing needed to = publish.

Frequent = spelling errors.=20 Punctuation is often missing or incorrect. Capitalization is = random.=20 Errors in grammar/usage are noticeable, frequent, & affect = meaning.=20 Paragraphing is missing or irregular. Extensive editing is = required for=20 publication.

Ideas &=20 Content

Paper is clear & focused. Holds = the=20 reader=92s attention. Relevant anecdotes & details enrich = the=20 central theme. =20

Beginning to = define the=20 topic, even though development is still basic or general.=20

Paper has no = clear=20 central theme. Writer is still in search of a topic.=20

Presentation

All of the written requirements were=20 met.(# of pages, = appropriate use=20 of font, reflection = included,=20 and consistent spacing is=20 applied.(double-spacing)

Most of the = written=20 requirements were met, but several were not met or at least = consistently=20 met throughout the text.

Many = requirements were=20 not met.

Student=92s Short Story Activity Sheet

Character:

____Name the = main character=20 ____________________

____Which of = the following=20 did the author include:

________dialogue_________

________dialect__________

____Concrete/abstract=20 images __________

____Quotation = __________=20

Setting:

____Identify = time=20 ______________________

=20 Identify place______________________

Figurative Language: Which of the following = did the=20 author include:

Personification __________

Metaphors __________

Similes __________

Vivid Sense Images: Which of the following = did the=20 author include:

Sight _____________

Hearing __________

Touch ____________

Taste _____________

Smell _____________ =

Plot:

____What is the = conflict in=20 this story? __________

____Conflict is = between:=20

________Individual vs.=20 individual

________Individual vs.=20 society

________Individual vs.=20 nature

________Individual vs.=20 self.

____How is the = conflict=20 resolved? __________

____What is the = climax/turning point of conflict? __________

____Does the = story follow a=20 logical sequence of events:

________Use of = transitional=20 words __________

________Chronological order=20 __________

Point of View:

____From whose = point of=20 view is the story written:

________First = person=20 __________

________Third = person=20 observer __________

________Third = person=20 omniscient __________

____Is this = point of view=20 consistent throughout the story?

Theme:

____What is the = controlling=20 or main idea in the study? __________

____Can the = main idea in=20 this story be expressed as a proverb or maxim?

____What would = be the=20 proverb or maxim? __________