Introduction
Have you ever become so invested in a story from a book or movie that you were transported to a different world? Humans have been telling stories since the beginning of time, but not all stories are created equal. In this assignment you will learn about what makes a good story. Next, you will write a narrative of your own!
Task
For this assignment, you will explore the ingredients of a good story, learn about the writing process, edit a partner's work, and create your own narrative.
The prompt for your narrative is the following:
Two men stop you on your way into your local post office. One flashes a badge at you. They tell you about a top secret sting operation they are about to execute and they need your help. They can’t give you any of the details, only that you are to walk into the post office, go up to the counter with the gentleman named Bert working it, and you have to say to him, “My stamps are looking a bit square these days, if you know what I mean.” Write what happens next.
Use plot, point of view, characters, setting, and theme to tell your story. Remember to keep a consistent tone throughout your story and use imagery to create a vivid picture of events.
Process
1. Review the following sources:
Language features for narrative writing
What is a theme in a narrative?
14 Tips for building character
2. Decide on a the following for your narrative:
- Tone and Mood
- Theme
- Setting
- Point of View
3. Write a short description of the characters that you want to include in your story.
4. Brainstorm ideas for your story. It might be helpful to create a thought map.
5. Create a plot outline.
6. Write a rough draft.
7. Proof-read your narrative and make corrections as needed.
8. Have your partner review and edit your narrative. Your partner will use the assignment rubric to give you a grade and suggestions for improvement.
9. Type your final draft of your narrative.
10. Fill out the narrative information sheet.
11. Submit your character description, plot outline, rubric from your partner, final draft of narrative, and narrative information sheet.
Evaluation
| Proficient (3) | Competent (2) | Needs Improvement (1) | |||
| Organization | Well organized and developed. Narrative is easy to follow and understand. | Organization is mostly clear and easy to follow. | Inadequate organization or development. Structure of answer is not easy to follow and distracts from content. | ||
| Narrative Techniques | Establishes strong plot, setting, character, theme, and point of view. | Most elements of story structure used. Briefly establishes plot, setting, character, theme, and point of view. | Few or no story structure elements. | ||
| Word Choice | The writing uses a variety of imagery and figurative language. Reflects precise word choice. | The writing adequately uses imagery and figurative language. Somewhat reflects precise word choice. | The writing uses little to no imagery or figurative language. Does not reflect precise word choice. | ||
| Writing Conventions | The writing shows a variety of sentence structure. The writing is free of errors. | The writing contains a few errors that distract from the overall message. Sentence structure may not be varied. | The writing contains multiple errors that distract from the message. It is difficult to follow. Sentence structure is not varied. | ||
| Content | Develops ideas clearly and fully and uses a wide range of relevant details. | Mostly develops ideas clearly and uses relevant details. | Uses incomplete or undeveloped details. |
Conclusion
At the end of your WebQuest, you will have explored the traits of a good story. You should know how to build mood, theme, setting, characters, and plot. You should be able to effectively utilize figurative language and imagery.
Credits
Carpenter, C. (2012, May 2). Discover the basic elements of setting in a story. Writer's Digest. Retrieved from http://www.writersdigest.com/tip-of-the-day/discover-the-basic-elements…
Editing and proofreading. (n.d.). The Writing Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Retrieved from https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
Eve deCastro, J. (2017, July 20). Theme ideas for short stories. Pen and the Pad. Retrieved from https://penandthepad.com/theme-ideas-short-stories-8116691.html
Hamilton, K. (2013, March 14). Narrative structure. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEzpEUIuBdw
Hopkinson, N. (2015, November 16). How to write descriptively. TedEd. Retrieved from https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-write-fiction-that-comes-alive-nalo-h…
Kelms, B.A. (2013, April 11). 7 creative writing prompts to spark your writing. Writer's Digest. Retrieved from http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-creative-writing-prompts-t…
Language features for narrative writing. (2016, September 13). [Google Slides]. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19DmZIMFtcipnvDZ6BF8I2xg_HDAZ4wh…
Meyer, R. (2005, June 1). 14 tips for building character. Nieman Storyboard. Retrieved from http://niemanstoryboard.org/stories/14-tips-for-building-character/
Narrative essay. (n.d.) The Writing Center, El Paso Community College, Valle Verde Campus, El Paso, TX. Retrieved from http://www.epcc.edu/WritingCenterValleVerde/Documents/Narrative%20Essay…
Prudchenko, K. (n.d.). What is a theme in a narrative? Pen and the pad. Retrieved from https://penandthepad.com/theme-narrative-1732.html
Resources for writers: The writing process. (n.d.). Writing and Communication Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved from https://cmsw.mit.edu/about/
Schulze, P. (2017). Teaching plot structure through short stories. ReadWriteThink. Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson401/P…
Shoenburg, N. (2014, February 19). Figurative disney. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Be2BR8fNZ_Q
[Show, Don't Tell!]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://indulgy.com/post/GKh7UUKuB2/show-dont-tell-anchor-chart-some-spe…
[Showing emotions and feelings]. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://amandaonwriting.tumblr.com/post/52451388297
Teaching Packs. (n.d.). [Features of narrative writing]. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.teachingpacks.co.uk/the-narrative-writing-pack/
The Classroom Kit. (n.d.) [Narrative writing: You need to tell a story that keeps the readers interested]. Retrieved from http://www.theclassroomkit.com/images/literacy_resources_images/charts/…
TheScholasticChannel. (2016, August 05). What's the mood? Retrieved April 21, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQq7XZ_Im34
Wiehardt, G. (2017, October 9). Story point of view: How to choose the right point of view for your story. The Balance Careers. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/point-of-view-1277038
Worksheet Place. (n.d.). [Success criteria for narrative writing]. Retrieved from https://worksheetplace.com/index.php?function=DisplaySheet&sheet=Succes…