English 10F

Create Your Own Short Story

Major Assessment #1
English 10F

TASK: Using what you have learned about short stories over the past month, you will write a short story of
your own.

DATE DUE: The final copy will be due on Friday, December 7th
 However, there will be numerous points leading up to this deadline in which you will be expected to
have portions of the assignment done and these checks will make up portion of the assignment’s mark.
(ie. Story Map, Organizer and Proposal.)

GUIDELINES:
 Your story must have a clear beginning, middle and end.
 Your story must be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 pages.
 The assignment must be typed using size 12 font and double spaced.
 Your story must have only one main character
 Your story must have a minimum of one and a maximum of three supporting characters
 Your story must clearly fit on a plot graph (contain all 5 sections of a plot)
 Your story can include effective dialogue
 Your story must clearly include at least one type of conflict
 Your story must make clear use of one of the following techniques: foreshadowing, suspense,
symbolism or irony (must specify which type on your proposal)
 Attach the rubric to your final copy and don’t forget to choose a creative and or appropriate title.

Create Your Own Short Story Timeline

Day Assignment Timeline Mini Lessons

Nov. 29 – Day 1 Short Story Map – 5 Marks on Gradebook Story Starters
Nov. 30 – Day 2 Writing Workshop: Short Story Organizer & Fill in Short How to format dialogue
Story Proposal
Dec. 3 – Day 3 Rough Copy Day 1 How to format your story
Dec. 4 – Day 4 Rough Copy Day 2 -
Dec. 5 – Day 5 Good Copy Day 1 Peer Edit
Dec. 6th – Day 6 Good Copy Day 2 Self Edit
Dec. 7th – Day 7 Final Good Copy is Due -

DUE DATE: Friday, December 7th

 English 10F
English 10F: Short Story Creative Writing Assignment
EVALUATION
Story: _____________________________________ Author: ______________________________

Writing Task: Ideas (4.1.1) – Attend to ideas, not structure, in relation to the given task.
Out of Range Below Level At Level Above Level
0 1 2 3 4 5
Off Topic. Demonstrates limited skill in Generates, evaluates and Demonstrates superior
 Ideas are off generating, selecting and selects ideas to focus and skill in Generating,
topic evaluating ideas to focus a topic clarify a topic and create a evaluating and selecting
 Text/ideas are and create desired effect desired effect ideas to focus and clarify a
plagiarized  Ideas are  Ideas are clear, topic and create a desired
generalized/vague/supe appropriate and effect
rficial and undeveloped adequately  Ideas are creative/
for the stated purpose developed for the perceptive and
given task thoroughly
developed for the
given task

Writing Task: Organization (4.1.3) – Attend to the macro- and micro-organization in relation to the writing variables the student
identifies.
Out of Range Below Level At Level Above Level
0 1 2 3 4 5
Organizational structures Demonstrates limited skill Selects and uses a variety Demonstrates superior skill in
are not evident. in selecting and using a of organizational selecting and using a variety of
Text and ideas are variety of organizational structures, techniques, organizational structures,
plagiarized. structures, techniques and and transitions in texts to techniques and transitions in texts
transitions in texts to communicate clearly and to communicate clearly and
communicate clearly and effectively. effectively.
effectively

Writing Task: Language Use and Arrangement (4.2.4) – Attend to syntax and language choices and arrangement in relation to the
writing variables the student has identified.
Out of Range Below Level At Level Above Level
0 1 2 3 4 5
Text and/or ideas Demonstrates limited skill in Uses effective language and Demonstrates superior skill in
are plagiarized. using effective language and arranges ideas for emphasis using language and arranging
arranging ideas for emphasis and desired effect. ideas for emphasis and desired
and desired effect. Voice is established, language effect.
Voice is weak, language is effective. Voice is distinct, language is
ineffective. superior.

Writing Task: Conventions (Grammar, Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation) (4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3) – Attend to the relationship
between the mechanics and the writing variables the students has identified. Consider the extent to which the errors detract from the
overall impact of the work without affecting meaning. (consider the difficulty and risks taken, the variety and frequency of errors, and
the length of the written text.)
Out of Range Below Level At Level Above Level
0 1 2 3 4 5
Text and/or ideas Demonstrates limited or Demonstrates capable Demonstrates skillful control of
are plagiarized tentative control of the written control of the written the written conventions of
conventions of language. (errors conventions of language. language. (errors in spelling,
are distracting and may interfere (errors my detract from grammar, and punctuation may
with the reader’s understanding the overall impact of the exist, but they do not affect the
of the ideas) work, but they do not overall impact)
affect the meaning)
Writing Workshop:
 English 10F
Writing Workshop: Short Story Organizer

Characters
Describe your main character’s appearance. What does the character’s appearance say about him
or her?

Describe some of your main character’s personality What do these say about your character?
or actions.

Other Characters Details about these Character(s)

Setting
Describe what the setting of your story looks like, when it takes Explain why the setting you have
place, what time of the year it is etc. chosen is important to your story?

Point of View
What point of view will my story be written from? 1st or 3rd person Explain why you chose this POV for
/ Limited or Omniscient? you story?

Literary Devices
 English 10F
Identify which literary devices you will incorporate into your short story. Briefly explain how you will
incorporate them.

Conflict(s)
Identity what type of conflict (external or internal) your character will have. Explain in detail the
main conflict that will occur in your story.

Complications – Detail at least 2 complications that will occur in your story.

Climax
What might happen at the most interesting point in my story? What have all of the other events been building
up to?

Ending
 English 10F
Falling Action: What will happen after my Resolution: How does your story end?
climax?

Theme
What message or lesson will the reader learn from reading your short story?

Complete the plot diagram with all of your elements listed about. This will be submitted with your story
proposal prior to beginning your story rough draft.
 English 10F
English 10F Short Story Proposal
Student Name:___________________________
Teacher Approval:________________________

After having completed your “English Writing Workshop: Short Story Organizer ” sheet, summarize your
story using the following format. Your short story and character brainstorm activities should also be included
with your proposal.

The story is about a ________________________________________________________________________

[brief description of main character - introduction]

who ___________________________________________________________________________________
[action or predicament which initiates plot – the inciting action]

because__________________________________________________________________________________
[motivation]

but ____________________________________________________________________________________
[ conflict; difficulty or obstacle main character faces – rising action]

so ____________________________________________________________________________________
[decision made in an attempt to resolve the conflict– crisis]_

which leads to ___________________________________________________________________________

[highest point of interest in the plot – climax]

and finally finishes with __________________________________________________________________

[plot/conflict resolution, ending]

which shows ___________________________________________________________________________

[theme]

Proposal is due: Nov. 30th

Final Good Copy is due: Dec. 7th _______________________