Name______Date_____/_____/_____
Short Story Projects
Objective:To demonstrate that you understand how the different literary elements are used
in the stories we have read.
Requirement: Complete a portfolio of Short Story Projects that will be presented to your
classmates.
Directions: Choose three projects from Level 1, twoprojects from Level 2, and one project
from Level 3. After you have selected them, see your teacherto get detailed
instruction sheets for each project. Complete these projects throughout the Short
Story Unit.
WARNING: These projects are not complicated, but if you leave them to the last minute, they
could become overwhelming. When we finishreading a story, ask yourself if you
could complete one of your projects on that story. If so, spend an evening
finishing one project. It will be one project you don’t have to worry about later!
Level 1 Projects(Complete 3) / 1) Create a complete Plot Triangle for any of the short stories we have read. / 2) Create a complete character map for any major character we have read. / 3) Create a mail-able Setting Postcard for any of the stories we have read.
Level 2 Projects
(Complete 2) / 1) Make a Paper-Chain Character Comparison of you and any character we read about. / 2) Create a Conflict Poster that shows the different types of conflict with pictures. / 3) Create a Theme Collage of pictures that represent the theme of any story.
Level 3 Projects
(Complete 1) / 1) Write a letter from a character’s point of view about what he/she has learned. / 2) Write an essay comparing/contrasting any two characters. / 3) Write a sequel chapter to a novel or short story you have read, You are not changing the ending but looking months later
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Plot Triangle
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written or typed in blue/black ink, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Project had all elements of plot correctly listed (i.e. exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution). / 2 / 1 / 0
Elements of the story were well-chosen, correctly placed, and accurately diagram the story. / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Character Map
Directions: Fill out the graphic organizer for a character you have read about. Make sure you give examples from the text to support your choices.
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Character Map
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written in blue/black ink, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Project had all elements of the character map included and correct (including page numbers). / 2 / 1 / 0
Characteristics were well-chosen, made sense, and were supported by examples from the story. / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Setting Postcard
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written in blue/black ink, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Setting picture was colorful, took up the entire front of the card, and accurately depicted the setting of the story. / 2 / 1 / 0
Written portion was correct and met the requirements stated in the directions. / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Making a Paper-Character Train
1)Take a large piece of white construction paper (18” X 12”) and hold in horizontally.
2)With a pencil and a ruler, draw 4 vertical lines approximately 3.5 inches apart on the construction paper.
3)Fold the paper accordion-style on the lines.
4)Trace the shape of the character on the folded paper. Make sure that the feed
and hand go all the way to the ends (the fold) of the paper.
5)Cut out the areas between the arms, legs, and head. Do notcut the folds
around the hands and feet.
6)Unfold the paper. You should have five characters in the paper chain.
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Level Two: Character Chain
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written in blue/black ink, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Project has the correct information on each side of the paper character chain. / 2 / 1 / 0
Information on the character chain was correct and accurate. / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Level Two: Conflict Poster
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written in blue/black ink, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Project has images for all the conflict types and they all are logical choices (make sense). / 2 / 1 / 0
Poster has a title and is labeled correctly. / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Level Two: Theme Poster
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written in blue/black ink, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Project has images for the theme that are logical choices (make sense). / 2 / 1 / 0
Poster includes the title of the story and write a short paragraph that explains what the theme of the story is and why the pictures you chose represent that theme. / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Level Three: Character Letter
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written in blue/black ink, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Project had all elements of a letter: a greeting, a body, a closing / 2 / 1 / 0
Letter is written “in character” and discusses what events caused the character to change and how the character has changed / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project was an 8th grade-level of work. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Level Three: Compare and Contrast Essay
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written in blue/black ink, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Project had all elements of an essay: opening paragraph, body paragraphs, conclusion paragraph / 2 / 1 / 0
Essay did a good job choosing one item that the characters had in common and one item that they did not have in common; compare and contrast. / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Level Three: Sequel chapter
Grading Rubric
Criteria / Outstanding / Acceptable / UnacceptableProject was turned in on-time. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project met physical requirements (i.e. neat, written in blue/black ink or typed, spelled correctly, etc). / 2 / 1 / 0
Project had all elements of a final epilogue or chapter. / 2 / 1 / 0
Project keeps characters consistent with their personalities and makes interesting, logical conclusions for their characters. / 2 / 1 / 0
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / 2 / 1 / 0
Total: / ______/ 10
Name______Date_____ / _____ / _____
Short Story Project Portfolio
Final Grade Sheet
Projects / GradeProject #1 (Level One) / ______/ 10
Project #2 (Level One) / ______/ 10
Project #3 (Level One) / ______/ 10
Project #4 (Level Two) / ______/ 10
Project #5 (Level Two) / ______/ 10
Project #6 (Level Three) / ______/ 10
Overall project showed adequate length, creativity and care. / ______/ 10
Total: / ______/ 70 / ______%
- “9th grade work” means: your work was turned in on-time, Portfolio is due at the end of March.
- it did not look rushed and/or your teacher did not observe you completing projects at the very last minute,
- you followed the directions for each project
- the projects were neat and clean – showing that you cared about your work,
- Length of assignments are outlined but for the level 3 the length should follow the format of 4-5 paragraphs. This would be around a page, double spaced 12pt font.
- Letters should follow letter format /ask
- If you do a poster a photo should be taken and printed in color to put into your portfolio.