Checklist for Assignments

Course Code: EDUC18081

Assignment: Assignment #3 Social Story

1. I understand my professor’s expectations for this assignment. In particular, I

understand his/her specifications regarding collaborating with other students.

2. I completed this assignment independently. It was not written by another person, nor did
I use another student’s work.

3. I used the documentation style recommended by my professor consistently

throughout this assignment (for example, APA).

4. When including direct quotations, I have acknowledged the use of others’ words by
including quotation marks around the quoted material and I have provided full and accurate
citations.

5. For paraphrased material, I put the original author’s ideas into my own words and I have
provided full and accurate citations.

6. I have properly acknowledged the use of any photographs, illustrations, charts,

diagrams, figures, audio, video, etc. from outside sources.

7. For this assignment, I have saved all of the articles I cited, all of my notes, outlines and
rough drafts in the event that my professor asks to see these.

8. I have never previously submitted this assignment, or parts of this assignment, for any
other course.

9. I did not share my work with anyone else, and have no intention of doing so.

10. If someone else proofread my work and provided suggestions for revisions, I made all of
the changes myself.

11. I asked a librarian or a tutor for citation help if needed.

12. I understand Sheridan’s Academic Integrity Policy, and am aware of the

consequences of breaching this policy.

13. I understand that I am required to submit my work to Turn It In to check for originality.
This process also allows me to review my initial work and correct any identified issues
prior to submitting my work for evaluation.

Student Name: Andrea Harris Date: December 7, 2017

Signature: Andrea Harris

SOCIAL STORY ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT
Due Week 9 (15%)
Social Story Sample: # 1
Social Story Criteria For Tailoring the Text
& Description
One of the first basic criterions for a social
story is having an “introduction, body, and
conclusion” (Gray, 2000). According to
Fitzgibbon (2017) the introduction is used to
present the topic to the reader, and then
there is the body which sources the main
reason for creating the social story. Finally the
conclusion sums up the idea that the story
was trying to convey.
The second criterion is that social stories
answer questions that pertain to identifying
who is in the story, when it is taking place as
well as where (Gray, 2000). In addition the
story has to answer how and why (Gray,
2000).
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NAME: Andrea Harris
Analysis (Yes/No) and SPECIFIC Text
Examples
Yes, this social story included an introduction
by including many sentences that introduce
the reader to what the story will be about. It
starts off with “my name is Annika” and “I am
in Grade 5”. There is definitely a body within
the story since it goes on to explain what
working in a groups entails. This is done
through sentences such as “when I work with
a group, I will be a good listener” and
“accepting other ideas is part of working with
groups”. Lastly the conclusion is there, by
summing up what the general idea of the story
wanted to portray by saying “when students
work in groups, everyone has a chance to
share”
Yes, this social story does answer the question
of who is involved by stating at the beginning
the little girl’s name “my name is Annika”.
Where is answered when Annika states that “I
am in Grade 5”. The question of when this
occurs is described by this sentence that

The third trait for a social story is that it is
written in a first person format, to make it
appear as if the reader is seeing themselves in
the story (Gray, 2000).
The fourth criterion of a social story is its use
of positive language to convey a certain
message to the reader (Gray, 2000). This is
seen when negative behaviors are referenced
in a way that does not accuse the reader of
doing something. Rather if it does occur it is
written in a third person perspective (Gray,
2000).
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states “when I work with a group, I will be a
good listener” The answer for what is
illustrated through this sentence “working in
groups means working with classmates to
share ideas and complete an activity”. The
how is clearly seen through the sentence of
“this means I must always be quiet and pay
attention when my group members tell their
ideas” because it shows the reader what to
do. Lastly the answer to why is seen in this
quote “accepting other ideas is part of
working with groups” to demonstrate why
people work in groups.
Yes, this is seen throughout the social story
sample because at the start it describes “my
name is Annika” and “I am in Grade 5”. The
story is using I pronouns when describing
events. Another example is “I will try to share
my ideas, too”.
This social story has included both positive
language as well as negative language. In the
body of the story, it starts describing to Annika
how she can change her behavior. This is not
positive language when she says “when I work
with a group, I will be a good listener” and
“this means I must always be quiet and pay
attention when my group members tell their

The next trait is making sure that the story has
followed the Basic Social Story Ratio while
incorporating the four sentence structures
which include directive, descriptive,
perspective, and affirmative (Gray, 2000). The
ratio is designed where a story has to include
“0-1 partial or complete directive sentences
for every 2-5 partial or complete descriptive,
perspective, and/or affirmative sentences”
(Gray, 2000).
The sixth criterion is that a social story is
“literally accurate” (Gray, 2000). This means
that the reader can interpret events
happening in the story to be truthful and
accurate.
The seventh criterion is that a social story
“may use alternative vocabulary to maintain
its relaxed and positive quality”
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ideas”. However, there are examples of
positive language being used within the story
when it says “to show I am interested in what
others say, I can try to ask questions about
their ideas”. As well as “I will try to share my
ideas, too”. In the positive example the reader
is offered suggestions instead of being forced
to do something.
Yes, the social story does follow the Basic
Social Story Ratio because there are 4
directive sentences and the rest are 12
sentences that are made up of descriptive,
perspective, and/or affirmative sentences.
Yes, there is a sentence within the story that
illustrates this point. It includes “every day,
Mr. King asks us to work in groups”; this
statement is true for the child because every
day this event happens.
This one is a bit tricky to decipher within the
social story sample. However, I believe it is
seen in this sentence “Some of our ideas may

The eighth criterion that a social story must
have includes “easy to understand text
enhanced by visual supports” (Gray, 2000). If a
concept is too abstract the story will make
sure the idea is translated into appropriate
terminology that uses visuals to help illustrate
the concept (Gray, 2000).
The ninth criterion is that social stories may
use “illustrations to clarify and enhance the
meaning of the text” (Gray, 2000). Also if
pictures are includes they will generally reflect
the age of the child (Gray, 2000).
The tenth criterion of a social story is based on I would say that yes the overall style of the
the idea that the design of the story should
“be motivating, or reflects the interests”
(Gray, 2000) of the student.
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be different” followed by “oh well”. This
would reassure to Annika that even though
ideas may be different she does not need to
worry. Adding the phrase “oh well” would
make her feel more relaxed.
Yes, the social story has demonstrated its use
of simple and easy to understand text
throughout the story. There are visuals to
relate to each page of the story. In terms of
illustrating an abstract concept such as
working in a group, the author has provided
picture cues of what that may entail.
Yes, this social story has fit the criterion of
providing illustrations. Specifically with the
fact that it reflects Annika and her age well.
The use of cartoon characters is great because
it makes it appear more child-friendly. Also the
story is in a simple black and white layout
which is easy on the eyes.
social story is motivating for the student. This
is because the child is shown positive language
for her to try to be a good team member. She
is motivated when it says “to show I am
interested in what others say, I can try to ask
questions about their ideas”.
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Any Additional Considerations Analysis (Yes/No) and SPECIFIC Examples

Social stories are written with some
consideration to the child’s “age, gender,
abilities, personality, preferences or interests,
of the audience (student)” (Fitzgibbon, 2017).
Yes, there has been some consideration
towards Annika’s gender, because the pictures
that represent her are characters that are
female. However, I did notice that the story
had indicated that her teacher was called Mr.
King, but the picture that was displayed on the
page was a female teacher rather than a male
teacher. This could be a little confusing for
Annika if she is expecting the story to imitate
her real life.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I believe that this sample does meet the criteria of a true Social Story
because of the fact that it adhered to the rules of the Basic Social Story Ratio. In the article it
stated that the “most important elements of a Social Story are four basic sentence types and a
ratio that defines that frequency” (Gray, 2000). Also the story incorporated all aspects of the 10
different criteria that Gray has listed within her article. Therefore, sample 1 is indeed a true
Social Story.
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References

Fitzgibbon, A. (2017). TL_Wk6_Instructor [PowerPoint Presentation]. Retrieved from SLATE

Gray, C. (2000). Writing Social Stories with Carol Gray. Future Horizons, 62. Retrieved from
file:///C:/Users/Andrea/Downloads/Article%20%20Social%20Stories%20by%20Carol%20Gr
ay%20(10).pdf