Unit 6, The Short Story

Step 1: Journal, I failed jail. Write a paragraph starting with the line, When I opened my eyes, and realized I was in jail, I . In this paragraph, use each of the words listed below in the order they appear. Then, answer the reflection question below. Jail, fail, bail, gail, hail, mail, nail, pail, rail, sail, tail, fail, jail.

Reflection: is there an issue or a person for whom youd go to jail? Who? What? Why? Fuel all your writing with this type of emotion, and it will always be powerful to the reader. Step 2: Getting ready for fiction. In this unit, you will embark on writing your own fiction short story. You will complete several activities, and choose one of these activities to focus on for a final short story. To begin, you must become familiar with the vocabulary of writing fiction. Some of these terms will be familiar to you, and some will be new. Complete the vocabulary chart below, using the favorite story from your journal as your examples. Term Character Protagonist Antagonist Conflict Dialogue Setting Plot Exposition Initial incident Rising action Crisis Climax Reversal Definition Example

Unit 6, The Short Story

Resolution Dramatic question Point of View

Step 3: Reading Short Stories. Read a few short stories (at least 3). You can find these in the classroom or the library. Choose one that you like and answer the questions below.

1. What is the storys title, author, and genre?

2. Who is telling the story? What Point of View is used? 3. What is the setting? Why is it important? 4. Who are the characters? What kind of people are they? What are

their flaws? Do you like them? Why/not? 5. What is the major conflict?
6. How is it resolved? 7. What do you think is the theme or universal truth? 8. Draw the main plot points on a time line. Use vocabulary from the

chart above.

Step 3: A few more notes on Plot: A good plot follows from a great character. Plot is motivation and the story is the protagonist making choices and taking action Plot involves: motivation choices change

Unit 6, The Short Story

The engine of these plot elements is conflict. Read the chapter titled Plot in Bird by Bird. Identify five important ideas in the chapter. Write them on a piece of notebook paper, and discuss them with your facilitator. Step 4: Practice and exercise Complete the exercises below. You will do several pieces of writing before choosing a final piece to work with. Writing from Life activity Poem Dream Conflict activity Retell a story activity

Step 5: Choose one of the stories from the previous exercises to work with for the remainder of the unit.

Step 6: Look at the following hand-outs. Conference with your facilitator, and consider where your story can benefit from revision. You will complete at least 2 activities.

Story structure Plot Story Opening Strategies Story Endings Jumping the Time Frame: Flash forward and Flash Back Characterization through Action and Detail Character Flaws Scene Point of view Evaluation

Unit 6, The Short Story

Step 7: Revise your story. See your facilitator for help here. Submit: ___ Journal ___ Vocabulary Chart ___ Short Story Questions ____Writing from Life activity ____Poem Dream Conflict activity _____ Retell a story activity _____ Revision Activities (2) _____ One Revised Short Story