“There Will Come Soft Rains” (PREWRITING OUTLINE)
Write an original short story set in a future Utopian Los Angeles.
Description of your Utopian Los Angeles. Describe specifics of why it is a Utopia: ______
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STEPS FOR YOUR FIRST DRAFT
The first paragraph of your story will be the exposition where your character describes the setting, who the characters are and what they are doing. This is where the reader learns the background information about the story. Remember to include words and details that reflect the situation from this character’s point of view.
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The second paragraph introduces the conflict and explains from your character’s point of view how the conflict builds. This is where you will use dialogue to express what the characters say to one another. Use the dialogue to explain the rising action. Remember to punctuate dialogue properly. Your second paragraph should make sure that the reader clearly knows what the conflict is as well as what your character thinks, feels and says about the conflict.
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The third paragraph explains how the conflict becomes more intense with the rising action. This paragraph will tell what other problems arise as the conflict builds. What does your character say to the other characters about the situation? What do the other characters say to your character about the situation? This is the dialogue. Include the words your character would use to tell the story. What details would your character include? How would your character describe how things look?
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The fourth paragraph explains what happens when the rising action of the conflict has reached the highest level of intensity. This is the climax. From your character’s perspective describe what happens at the highest point of action in the story. What does your character say at this time? What do the other characters say to your character at this time? What words best express the way your character feels in this situation? This is the most exciting part of your story! Use words that feel exciting to the reader.
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The fifth paragraph of your story is the falling action and the resolution. This paragraph explains how the situation is resolved from the point of view of your character. This is where they say, “And the all lived happily ever after.” Unless they don’t live happily ever after. Your character has the chance here to say what they think and feel about the conflict, the other characters and the how things have turned out. This is where your character might express any regrets. Remember to include words and details that your character would use.
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