Creative Writing Assignment

ENG1D Short Stories

CREATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT: PICTURE STORY

The purpose of this assignment is to apply what you’ve learned about fiction in class.

Instructions:  Create a short story based on the picture provided by your teacher.  Your story should be 700-900 words (2½ - 3 pages, typed, double-spaced, 12 pt font).  Your story must be creative and must follow the typical short story format of introduction, rising action, climax and conclusion as you have learned it.

Short story format (ENG1D you must follow this format in this order):  Introduction must include characters, setting and conflict (inciting incident);  Rising Action must contain at least three inciting incidents which lead directly to the climax;  Climax must definitely be the most exciting part of the story, the turning point in the story, and the point at which the protagonist learns something significant;  Falling Action must occur (at least one instance of tying up loose ends);  Conclusion must include a paragraph about the future, the lesson, or the element of ‘cliffhanger’.  LEVEL 4 if you dare: Include other literary elements/devices that you’ve learned (imagery, characterization, similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, etc. Please underline or bold these devices within your story.)

The story must CLEARLY relate to the picture and must be referred to frequently!

You will need to hand in the following: 1) Brainstorming (due Today!) 2) Rough draft  self-edited and peer-edited (due Oct. 21 or March 28) 3) Good copy  (include Rough draft and rubric) (due Oct. 27 or Apr. 4) See Rubric to see how you’ll be marked!

Hints: Use a peer editor!! Use a thesaurus and a dictionary furiously! Be creative   remember – a story doesn’t have to be realistic!

Due date: Thurs, Oct. 27 (April 4) ENG1D Short Stories

Rubric: Picture Story Name: ______

Strands INS Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 *Includes level 3, plus: Overall

Content  story refers to picture  includes thorough and extensive (W1)  introduction includes characters and setting description  rising action initiates conflict, builds suspense  engaging and thought-provoking story  climax is easily identified development ❏  falling action and resolution present plethora of character dialogue enhances story ❏ character dialogue is present Short Story Format  Paragraph form (indented appropriately)  Logical format sequencing (paragraphs (W2)  Intro, body, conclusion are organized and in proper order)  700-900 words  Times New Roman, 12pt font, double spaced ❏ Quotations marks are used around character ❏ Quotation format is expertly applied dialogue Writing  writing is clear and logical  transitional sentencing used (W3)  writing is concise  few grammatical errors  no grammatical errors  uses appropriate language style (consistent point of  uses sophisticated language style view, informal, etc) (enhances vocabulary, uses literary devices) Reflecting and  brainstorms: word map and plot diagram evidence Revising  edits first draft  uses multiple drafts, revisions (W4)  reflects upon mechanical strengths and weaknesses  initiates self-directed learning

Overall Expectations included: (in bold) Oral Communication Reading and Literature Writing Media O1 Listen/Respond to Understand R1 Reading for Meaning W1 Devel. and Organizing M1 Understanding Media Texts O2 Speaking to Communicate R2 Understanding Form/Style W2 Know of Form/Style M2 Understanding Forms/Techniques O3 Reflecting R3 Reading with Fluency W3 Know of Conventions M3 Creating Media Texts R4 Reflecting W4 Reflecting M4 Reflecting