WhatMakesaGreatFictionalStory?

A short fictional story is written to entertain your audience and tell of an

event in a characters life.
Keep these guidelines in mind when writing your short fictional story:
Grabtheattentionofyourreaderatthebeginningtogetthem
interestedinyourstory.
Providedescriptivedetailstosetthesceneforthereader.
Identifythecharactersofthestorywhoarethey?Doesthe
readerhavetheabilitytopicturethecharacters?
Providesaproblemwithinthestoryandhasaresolutionatthe
end.
Selectapointofviewtotellthestoryunderstandingthe
differencebetweenthe1stand3rdpersonvoice.
Uselanguagetoshowhowthecharactersarefeelinginsteadof
justmakingstatementsaboutcharacterbehavior.
Usedialoguetoshowhowthecharacterscommunicate.

Writing Unit Lois Woodward

EDUC139/239IntermediateLiteracyMethods

Name: _____________________________________________
Start thinking:
Whatwillbetheprobleminthestory?(Whatistheconflict?
Willitbeconflictagainstnature,society,self,orothers?)
Whowillmymaincharacterbe?(IsitbasedonsomeoneI
know?Willitincludemultiplepeoplesqualities?Whatisthe
nameofmymaincharacter?)
Brainstorm:
List three one-sentence summaries of your story based on a character
and problem that will capture the attention of your reader.



Develop:
Discussyoursentenceideaswithyourpartner.
Askyourpartnerwhichsentenceismostinterestingandwhy?
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Askyourselfwhichsentenceseemstobemostinterestingto
me?Why?
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Writing Unit Lois Woodward
EDUC139/239IntermediateLiteracyMethods

Name: _____________________________________________
Short Story Drafting Ideas
Write 3 different ways you could begin your story.
Surprising Statement: ________________________________________
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Ask a Question: ____________________________________________
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Describe what is happening: ___________________________________
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Pick your point of view:
Who are you in the story? Are you the narrator? Are you telling the
story like you are the main character?
_____1st person or _____3rd person (indicate one)
Write down the main events from the index cards in the order you want
to present them in your short story. Be sure to use the new word choices
you have defined.
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Writing Unit Lois Woodward
EDUC139/239IntermediateLiteracyMethods

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Write two different endings that include the resolution for your short
story.
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2. ________________________________________________________________________
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Select the ending you like best? Why did you pick that one?
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Writing Unit Lois Woodward

EDUC139/239IntermediateLiteracyMethods

Name:___________________________
ShortStoryRoughDraft
Story Title: ________________________________________
Introductory Paragraph: (Remember to include a beginning sentence,
details to tell your reader what your story is about, and a closing sentence.)

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Main Body: (These will be your events that lead to the conclusion.)
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Writing Unit Lois Woodward

EDUC139/239IntermediateLiteracyMethods

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Closing: (The resolution and wrap up.)
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Writing Unit Lois Woodward
EDUC139/239IntermediateLiteracyMethods

Name:____________________Date:____________________
Short Story Evaluation
Self-Evaluation
Voice

Word
Choice

Conventions

Writer uses engaging and exciting voice

The voice is consistently told throughout
the story using 1st or 3rd person view
Writer exposes the problem and events
appropriately using an accurate voice
The perspective for the resolution and
ending give a satisfying conclusion to
the story
Words identify feelings within the story
Interesting and imaginative words or
similes are included
The descriptive language brings
characters and settings to life for the
reader
Uses accurate conventions of spelling,
grammar, and punctuation consistently
throughout story

5
5

4
4

3
3

2
2

1
1

5
5

4
4

3
3

2
2

1
1

5
5

4
4

3
3

2
2

1
1

5
5

4
4

3
3

2
2

1
1

Teacher Evaluation
Voice

Word
Choice

Conventions

Writer uses engaging and exciting voice

The voice is consistently told throughout
the story using 1st or 3rd person view
Writer exposes the problem and events
appropriately using an accurate voice
The perspective for the resolution and
ending give a satisfying conclusion to
the story
Words identify feelings within the story
Interesting and imaginative words or
similes are included
The descriptive language brings
characters and settings to life for the
reader
Uses accurate conventions of spelling,
grammar, and punctuation consistently
throughout story

Writing Unit Lois Woodward

EDUC139/239IntermediateLiteracyMethods