Unit 4: Short Fiction Assignment
Throughout this unit, we have been learning about what makes for an effective story, analyzing elements of point of view, plot structures, characterization and setting. Your short story should be somewhere between 3-6 pages, and be followed by a 500 word reflection on your writing and workshopping process.
Part 1: Planning your story
Review the materials from class and any notes you made when reading your individual fiction book choice
Sketch out a plan for your story
Write a character sketch for your main character (consider STEAL)
Sketch out a plot structure (including conflict)
Plan out the POV you think would work best and consider why
Develop a plan for a setting – consider whether it is integral or backdrop, geographical location (real or imagined), time period, social/cultural conditions, physical environment, immediate location, etc.
Your planning notes will be assessed as part of your final mark so be sure to submit
Part 2: Drafting your story
Using your planning notes, you will draft a 3 paged short story
Your piece should meet the following success criteria to be considered as a level 4:
The plot has a clear structure that’s easy for readers to follow
A main character and some secondary characters are portrayed using a variety of direct and indirect characterization techniques
Setting descriptions are clear and vivid
A clear, fully developed conflict is present
A theme is clear
A clear point of view is established and maintained
Rich language is used and literary devices are incorporated into the story
Piece is grammar, punctuation and spelling-error free
Your draft must be ready for your peers to read by Friday, May 10th
Part 5: Polish Story & Reflect
Write a 500 word reflection on the writing process. You must address:
The challenges and successes of the writing process.
The experience of having your work workshopped – (I realized that while I may be aware of my subject in my own head after having any days to develop and understand them others reading are at a disadvantage which is why it is important to make sure you do not get lost in your head and work to flesh them out to a stranger on the page)
You must discuss 3 class readings (including your independent fiction book), learnings, materials or activities (including AGO trip) that contributed to the development of your short story and writing process, using specific examples/details to explain. (my independent fiction was normal people my trip to the art gallery I saw the different ways similar subject matter can be seen a bowl of fruit for example is painted in a myriad of ways from hyperrealism to the deconstructed abstract, while the subject is the same our minds take great creative liberties producing very different outcomes, which is inspiration for the duel pov in my short story, and in class me and my friends all had the same prompt for a writing project but took very different directions similar to the fruit bowl and normal people)
here is my story idea and notes take creative liberties!
Let me introduce you to marina
Marina is a – five foot nothing brunette whos just celebrated the passing of her 16th birthday
She enjoys bullet journalling, reading graphic novels and watching early 2010’s dystopian movies (with a romance subplot of course)
Her room is not as cluttered as she would like it to be, she’s been very into the witchy maximalist aesthetic lately
So far all shes collected are fake vines to hang off her ceiling, the vanilla and cinnamon bun candles her mother picked up from winners the other day and a funky clay ring holder- its a start
Marina has always been obsessed with the concept of fairness, ever since the age of four when her parents first explained to her
“Life just isn’t fair” -She had to get a sugar cone instead of waffle
Her whole life up until that point had been ruled by the principles her parents had taught her, kindness, generosity, honesty. Embodying these characteristics meant she would be rewarded, the world would maintain its natural balance and life would be fair and just, like it is supposed to. But standing in line waiting for her scoop of tiger tail marina was hit with a devastating revelation, it was all a lie .
She turned to her mother, furrowing her brows as if trying to create premature wrinkles on her tiny face.
“Whats the point then?”
Her mother looked down at her feeling both amused by the sight of her 4 year olds fury and concerned, she didn’t want her little girl to take off her rose tinted glasses quite yet
“ just because the world isn’t fair doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be, we can only control ourselves if you want to exist in a world that is fair it has to start with you “
Even if the concept was possibly a tad bit complex for her developing brain her mothers words resonated with marina
In perfect 16 candles fashion The day after her birthday marina woke up with such an improved mental state it showed on her face
This mature age would come with a newfound respect, her opinion would finally matter,
make this short story about performative activism and having to realize she has not educated herself and needs to form her own opinions add another character seeing this and calling her out and show the perspectives of those around her not understanding her intentions
