Final Project: Writing a Dystopian Short Story

A Fun and Exciting Writing Experience!

Using what you know about the elements and conventions of a short story, you are
now expected to write and present, in groups of two (not more) or alone, your very own
dystopian short story! Some types of dystopian fiction focus on a futuristic world where
life has not necessarily been going well for humans or it seems to be too perfect. It can be
a very dark and dangerous place to be in. Your dystopian short story should be
approximately 600-800 words (Not less!) and must be typed, double-spaced, size 12 font,
and font Times New Roman. This assignment will be done in and outside of class time.
Students are encouraged to come to tutorials for help or guidance. This project is worth
30%-50% for C3 and 50% C1 (formal presentation).

Guidelines
Step 1: What your short story should include:
Begin by thinking of a world-impacting topic you're interested in. Ex: government
control, politics, poverty, pollution, etc. Any of the above topics can lead to a great
dystopian world within your short story.
Your dystopian short story should have a well-developed character(s), as well as a clear:
1) Exposition (Beginning of the story) Example: Setting, set-up, anything that can lead to
action)
2) Rising Action (the central part of the story, main problem/conflict) usually where your
protagonist faces a series of conflicts. Examples: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Supernatural,
Man vs. Nature (setting) Man vs. Monsteretc.
3) Climax (most intense/exciting part of the story)
4) Falling Action (what happens as a result of the climax/ events that lead to the end of
the story.)
5) Resolution (events to end your story/problems is solved or not)
Your dystopian story must include dialogues, writing techniques (metaphors, symbols,
imagery) and descriptive language (show dont tell). Try not to tell things to the
reader, instead show them through the words and phrases you use. Try to be as original
as possible, and not be influenced by outside texts or media sources. For instance dont
copy the story line in The Hunger Games.

Final Project: Writing a Dystopian Short Story

A Fun and Exciting Writing Experience!
In your dystopian short story, you will have to include information about:
(1) Laws (minimum 5)
- Are some of the laws we have today going to be outdated in the future?
- Will there be crime in the future. If so, what laws will be enforced to prevent it?
- What about the distribution of wealth? Is there unemployment?
- Is there one absolute rule that governs the society?
(2) Food
- How will food distribution be different in the future?
- Will there be enough land, water and food to meet the demands of a future
society?
- Will climate change affect the way food is produced in the future?
- Is world hunger still going to be a problem in the future?
(3) Transportation
- Will the cost of fuel continue to rise and how will it affect transportation in the
future?
- Will there be a different form of energy that will make us less dependent on oil?
- Will there be new technology in the future to transport people?
- Will humans evolve and have no need to rely on machines for transportation?
(4) Education
- How will students be educated in the future?
- Will the way people receive training for their future careers change?
- How will technology affect the future of education?
- What content will we use to teach future students? Will some subjects be
obsolete? How will we evaluate them?
- Will education be available to everyone?
(5) Government
- Who is ruling this future society? How did he/she/they get into power?
- Will an international government unite the world?
- Will the world be less united because of a new form of government?
- Will there be democracy or tyranny?

Step 2: Artistic Component:

Final Project: Writing a Dystopian Short Story

A Fun and Exciting Writing Experience!
Your short story must also include a creative cover page that represents your story! EX:
what the town looks like, the main character/s of your story or even a flag that represents
your city. BE CREATIVE AND LET YOUR IMAGINATION GROW!
Step 3: Formal Oral Presentation:
You will read your short story to the class; explain your cover page, and your
brainstorming process. Group members must have an equal amount of reading so that
their evaluation is fair.
You will be graded on: enthusiasm, tone of voice, volume, and clarity, pace, knowledge
of subject and time (8-10 minutes)
Step 4: What to hand in: You will need to hand in your brainstorming sheet, rough/good
draft and cover page. PLEASE, do not forget to go over your short story and make sure
that it flows nicely and has correct spelling and no typos!

Good luck and dont forget to BE CREATIVE