What was for Homework?

English 9---Short Story Assignment

Your major assignment for this unit is to write your own, original short story.

Your story should be at least 2-3 pages in length and include many of the elements we have talked about so far this quarter(plot, setting, theme, character development, climax, etc). There will be several due dates along the way to ensure that everyone is on task and moving along successfully. The dates are as follows:

Due Dates:

Monday, November 23-- Decide on what kind of story you would like to write(humorous, scary, suspenseful, moral). From this, complete a description of the main characters and the setting. Also, provide a brief plot outline. Describe what will happen in the rest of the story.(Point form is fine). (Remember, it is important to describe these aspects in great detail to create a believable story).

Thursday, November 27-- Your rough copy is due. This should include an introduction(of setting and characters), an initiating incident(the event that leads to the climax), the climax itself(the high point of the story), as well as a denouement and a conclusion to wrap up your story. (We will try and go over most of the rough copies in class to allow you the long weekend to begin revising them).

Wednesday December 2-- Your final copy is due. Remember you need to proofread and edit your story. Spell check and edit sentences!!!

Writing a short story is not as easy as just sitting down and writing - it takes a lot of careful planning and revising. During the next week and a half, we will provide you with the opportunity to work on your story in class, and have us give you feedback on how you are progressing.

Grading Criteria:

Outline: 10 marks
Rough Copy: 10 marks

Final Copy: 40 marks.
Plot: 5 marks
Setting: 5 marks
Character: 5 marks
Originality: 10 marks
Quality of writing: 10 marks
Spelling and grammar: 5 marks.

Total Marks: 60.

Tips for successful stories.

1. Good description of characters and setting. Make the reader feel like they are a part of the story.

2. Include all plot components.(introduction, initiating incident, climax, denouement, conclusion).

3. Make the story believable. Even if you are writing about a topic that may never happen, you have to make the reader believe that it could. Ex. If you are writing about Space Aliens landing and taking over earth, you must give some background as to where they came from, why they came, and what they came in. These details will make it seem more realistic.

4. Unique and/or well written endings always score points. First, you must make sure your ending wraps up the story properly. Does it end the plot? Second, is it surprising, funny, sad---anything that brings out a response from the reader.

5. Your story is consistent. If you have flat characters, make sure they remain flat, if you have a dynamic character, you must provide a reason for his/her change. Also remember to write in the same genre. This means if you are writing a funny story don't all of a sudden try and make it sad, it won't work. If you have a sad or scary story, don't try and make it funny, that won't work either.(You can include brief bits of humour, but don't overload the story with it).

6. Finally, when you are using dialogue, make sure to remember "quotation marks." Also, ensure that it is clear who is speaking each time.

GOOD LUCK!!!

HOMEWORK FOR QUARTER 2 CLASSES

	MS. HUNTER GRADE 9. BLOCKS D/E
	MR. QUESTED GRADE 9 BLOCKS D/E English 9---Short Story Assignment Your major assignment for this unit is to write your own, original short story. Your story should be at least 2-3 pages in length and include many of the elements we have talked about so far this quarter(plot, setting, theme, character development, climax, etc). There will be several due dates along the way to ensure that everyone is on task and moving along successfully. The dates are as follows: Due Dates: Monday, November 23-- Decide on what kind of story you would like to write(humorous, scary, suspenseful, moral). From this, complete a description of the main characters and the setting. Also, provide a brief plot outline. Describe what will happen in the rest of the story.(Point form is fine). (Remember, it is important to describe these aspects in great detail to create a believable story). Thursday, November 27-- Your rough copy is due. This should include an introduction(of setting and characters), an initiating incident(the event that leads to the climax), the climax itself(the high point of the story), as well as a denouement and a conclusion to wrap up your story. (We will try and go over most of the rough copies in class to allow you the long weekend to begin revising them). Wednesday December 2-- Your final copy is due. Remember you need to proofread and edit your story. Spell check and edit sentences!!! Writing a short story is not as easy as just sitting down and writing - it takes a lot of careful planning and revising. During the next week and a half, we will provide you with the opportunity to work on your story in class, and have us give you feedback on how you are progressing. Grading Criteria: Outline: 10 marks Rough Copy: 10 marks Final Copy: 40 marks. Plot: 5 marks Setting: 5 marks Character: 5 marks Originality: 10 marks Quality of writing: 10 marks Spelling and grammar: 5 marks. Total Marks: 60. Tips for successful stories. 1. Good description of characters and setting. Make the reader feel like they are a part of the story. 2. Include all plot components.(introduction, initiating incident, climax, denouement, conclusion). 3. Make the story believable. Even if you are writing about a topic that may never happen, you have to make the reader believe that it could. Ex. If you are writing about Space Aliens landing and taking over earth, you must give some background as to where they came from, why they came, and what they came in. These details will make it seem more realistic. 4. Unique and/or well written endings always score points. First, you must make sure your ending wraps up the story properly. Does it end the plot? Second, is it surprising, funny, sad---anything that brings out a response from the reader. 5. Your story is consistent. If you have flat characters, make sure they remain flat, if you have a dynamic character, you must provide a reason for his/her change. Also remember to write in the same genre. This means if you are writing a funny story don't all of a sudden try and make it sad, it won't work. If you have a sad or scary story, don't try and make it funny, that won't work either.(You can include brief bits of humour, but don't overload the story with it). 6. Finally, when you are using dialogue, make sure to remember "quotation marks." Also, ensure that it is clear who is speaking each time. GOOD LUCK!!!

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