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Short Story Project

Directions: Write an original 3-7 page short story

Use the attached packet to follow these steps to write your stories

 Part 1: Planning/pre writing [pages 2, 3, 4, 5 of this packet]

  • Due: ______

 Part 2: Write your story [use page 5 from this packet to help you start]

 Part 3: Edit your story [use the checklist of requirements below]

 Part 4: Finalize & hand in your story

  • Due: ______

Checklist of requirements for your short story:

 1-2 developed settings

 1-2 main characters

 1 main conflict [external or internal]

  • external conflict: struggle between 2 opposing forces
  • internal conflict: conflict within yourself

 Resolution to conflict/climax

  • Climax: the highest or most intense part of the story

 Conclusion

  • What happens after the climax

 Creative imagery/snapshots

  • Things for the reader to visualize

 Dialogue

  • Should include “thoughtshots” (character’s thoughts)
  • Should include conversation between characters

 A clearly developed single emotion effect

  • Emotional effect: story evokes 1 single emotion
  • Examples:
  • Suspense in “Leiningen vs the Ants” & “The Monkey’s Paw”
  • Fear in “The Masque of the Red Death”

Part 1: Planning/Pre Writing

Step 1: Choose a Writing Genre

 Mystery: fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.

 Realistic Fiction: story that is true to life.

 Historical Fiction: story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.

 Science Fiction: story based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other planets.

 Fantasy: fiction with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality.

Step 2: Brainstorm ideas

 In the circle below write the key word of the writing prompt you chose.

  • For instance, if you chose the writing genre historical fiction, write HISTORICAL FICTION in the circle.

 Then, brainstorm 4 possible ideas that you might want to write about.

  • Choose the idea you want to write about by drawing a star next to it.

Step 3: Outline – Characters

a. Who or what is the main character?
b. What is the name of the main character?
c. What does he/she or it look like?
d. How old is he/she or it?
e. How does he/she or it get along with peers? Adults?
f. What events in his/her or its life led him/her to the main event in the story?
g. Who are some of the other characters? How do they relate to the main character?
h. Which point-of-view will your story be told from?

Step 3: Outline – Setting

a. Where does the story take place?
b. What does this place look like?
c. What does this place mean to the main character?
d. Why does the action in the story take place here?

Step 3: Outline - Conflict

a. What does the main character want?
b. How does he/she try to get what he/she wants? (be specific—sequence of events)
c. How do his/her actions affect the other characters?
d. How does he/she change because of his/her actions?

Part 2: Write your story

Short Story Leads: Hooking the Reader

Directions:

 There are many ways a writer can begin a story

 Below, are the most common two

 The option you choose will be the way you begin your short story

Option #1: Begin a story in the middle of a conversation

Example: “If you don’t put that away right now, you and I are gonna have problems,” Carla snarled as Janet scribbled in her writer’s notebook. Janet stared at her round face, squinting eyes, and muscular arms crossed in front of her chest for just a second, snarled right back at her, and continued to write furiously. All the other students around the playground were quiet. “Just who do you think you are?” Mrs. Fleming asked as April slammed her notebook on the desk.

______

Option #2: Begin with a description:

Example: Millie’s face turned red when she entered the room. Stapled on the walls all around were pictures of her. There she was holding the first place trophy high above her head after her team won the state basketball tournament. Above the dresser was a poster-size photograph of her eighth grade graduation; she was standing proudly at the podium delivering her class president’s speech. To the left of the door was a collage of all her school pictures dating back to first grade, her gap-toothed smile framed by her dark face and tangled brown hair.

______