Short Story – Unit 1 Writing Assignment

English II – Ms. Chen

Assignment: Write a narrative story of at least two pages in which you develop
a character who experiences an internal conflict.

Requirements
 A well developed protagonist and other characters. Include dialogue,
mannerisms, descriptions, and other devices that show what the person is
like. Reveal the writer’s response to the person and place the person in a
context that contributes to the reader’s understanding of him or her.
Include both DIRECT and INDIRECT methods of characterization.
 Clear plot with an internal conflict.
 Include imagery. The reader should have a sense of what is happening by
the detail in your writing. Show, not tell, with your words.
 No fragments or run-on sentences!
 Must be at least 2 pages long. (Typed, double spaced, size 12 font)

Grading (see attached rubric):

Final story: 100 points
Rough draft/peer editing: 50 points
TOTAL: 150 points

IMPORTANT DATES

Rough draft due: Tuesday, 9/28/2010 (A Day) / Wednesday,

9/29/2010 (B Day)

FINAL PROJECT DUE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 (A

Day)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1 (B Day)
Getting started
 Create your protagonist and other characters
○ Make a list of character traits for each character.
○ Think about: mannerisms, personality, how they react to conflict,
relationships with others, where they live, beliefs, ambitions/goals,
attitudes, fears, weaknesses, strengths, talents.
 Create your plot
○ Plan out your story with the plot diagram (exposition, rising action,
climax, falling action, resolution).
○ Identify the conflict and develop the events that lead to the climax.
○ Determine what the solution to the conflict will be as you plan your
resolution.
 Other things to think about:
 ○ How much time the story will cover
○ Setting
○ Point of view
○ Tone/mood

Have fun and be creative! Questions? Come see me!