Write a Short Story in One Class!

Reading/Writing, level: Middle

Posted Sun Nov 4 06:13:29 PST 2001 by Kim Collier (kimberly.collier@juno.com).
Wilby High School, Waterbury, CT
Materials Required: Pen, Paper, Watch, Story Topics
Activity Time: 35 minutes
Concepts Taught: creative/free writing, grammar, elements of short story (i.e., plot,
setting, character, theme)

Many students are terrified by the thought of writing one paragraph, let alone an entire
short story. This lesson offers a pressure-free and fun introduction to the elements of short
story writing (introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution).

I use it with my freshmen and sophomores, but it can be applied for any grade/level
between 7-12. The finished products are absolutely amazing! I use them as the basis for
additional lessons on grammar, theme, setting, tone, perspective, and characterization.

With this lesson, students will create a short story chain. They will each write for five
minutes on a selected topic. When time is called, they will stop writing no matter where
they are (yes, even if it is mid-sentence!) and pass their papers to the person behind them.
(The person in the last seat of each row will pass their paper to the person in the first
seat.)

This continues until all students have had a chance to write one element of a short story
(Because of absences, some students might write twice.)

This activity takes place for 35 minutes with students switching papers every five minutes.
(They have 1-2 minutes to read the developing story before they start writing).

As they are writing, tell them which part of the story they are responsible for (i.e.,
introduction, rising conflict/action, climax, conclusion).

1. Before class begins, you will need to create 5 or 6 story topics. I usually create a wide
variety to choose from, such as: Aliens Invade Earth, Murder in the Mall, Stranded on a
Desert Island, and Forbidden Love.

2. Have the first person from each row come up to your desk and choose a topic. What
they choose is the topic the entire row will be writing on. I usually have my sheets folded
so they have no idea what they will be getting.

3. Explain to them the idea of a short story chain. There will be some confusion at first, but
they will quickly catch on.
 4. Introduction (5 minutes). Have every student write an introduction in the first five
minutes.

5. Switch and Read (2 minutes). They switch papers and read what has developed so far.

6. Rising Action (5 minutes). Have every student add on to the story in front of them,
being sure to create conflict/action.

7. Switch and Read (2 minutes).

8. Climax (5 minutes).

9. Switch and Read (2 minutes).

10. Falling Action (5 minutes).

11. Switch and Read (2 minutes).

12. Conclusion/Resolution (5 minutes).

Get Creative in Middle School With a Scary Short

Story Writing Lesson

This creative writing lesson plan for Middle School will focus on scary stories. Try to keep
them focused on setting, good plot twists, suspense and the use of surprise in the ending.
Assess the stories using a rubric.

Middle School Students Will Love Writing Scary

Stories

Follow these steps to direct students to write a scary short story.

Bring Together Your Ideas

Step 1 -- Select stories to read to the students. Some ideas for stories are on the Monster
Librarian website. This website is great because it lists at least 37 scary storybooks and gives
summaries and reviews.

Setting the Mood

Step 2 -- Set the mood in the classroom to read the short stories to the class. Put the
students in a circle, like around a campfire. Use a flashlight or small lamp to read the stories.
Step 3 -- Turn the lights back on and discuss what elements of the plot made the stories
scary, creepy or suspenseful.

Elements of a Scary Story

 Step 4 -- Discuss elements of a scary story with students:
Suspense: feelings of excitement or anxiety when the reader
tries to figure out the outcome or ending
Plot twists: a change in plot that takes the story in a different
direction than expected
Conflict: how the characters solve the problem
Setting: time and location where the story takes place (scary
stories choose creepy ones)
Surprise endings: the ending or resolution is not what the
reader expected
Step 5 -- Share rubric to assess short story final drafts. Criteria for rubric could include
writing process, solution to conflict, use of suspense, spelling and punctuation, creativity, use
of plot twists, etc.

Set the Setting

Step 6 -- Give students a list of settings to get them started writing. Ask students to write a
draft of a scary short story. Students can choose their own settings if they have ideas.
Remind students to focus on suspense or plot twists and not gore.
Example settings:

in own bedroom when the electricity goes out on a stormy

night
on a dirt road in a car that will not start at twilight
in the middle of a cornfield
on a boat in the middle of a rushing river with no paddle
in an unfamiliar dark alley
in an airport in an unfamiliar city
in a car with the fuel light on empty in an unfamiliar part of
town

Write the Story

Step 7 -- Once written, students share scary stories in groups of three. Place students in
small circles for peer editing. Ask each person to read his or her story. Each in the small
group should give a positive comment about the story and one comment to help improve the
story. If students are not used to working in small groups or giving peer evaluations, this
should be modeled.
Step 8 -- Students will write a final copy of their stories. Students can share their final copies
with the entire class. The class can vote on the best ones. Candy or treats can be awarded.
All stories will be assessed using the rubric given to the students earlier.