rubric - mrs. kb's 7th grade english/language arts classes · rubric development: effectively...
TRANSCRIPT
Name:________________________________________ Class: _________________Due: ____________
Writing Workshop – Unit 3
Directions: Did the stories and characters in this unit surprise you, make you think, or remind you of
something you know? Stories can entertain you and draw you into other worlds. In this workshop, you
will learn how to write a short story about a real or imagined experience or event that has a theme.
You will use this packet to help your pre-write, write your rough draft, revise, and your final draft. You
will have to turn the whole packet in for a grade; DO NOT LOSE IT.
Rubric
Development:
Effectively and engagingly introduces, develops, and resolves a conflict _____________/5
Develops characters and events with strong dialogue and description _____________/5
Clearly conveys and develops a theme _____________/5
Organization:
Effectively establishes a natural and logical sequence of events _____________/5
Uses effective pacing and transitions _____________/5
Language:
Consistently maintains a clear point of view _____________/5
Weaves in sensory language _____________/5
Correct G/S/P _____________/5
Total: _____________/40
Planning/Prewriting a short story
The key word is SHORT! And a short story is just that… short! It’s a story about a
brief moment in time.
Choose one of the following three first lines to begin your story. The one you choose will be the FIRST
line in your short story!:
1. Here’s the thing – you can only act like you don’t care about the lion in your backyard for so long.____
2. Until yesterday, I had never heard of a whomperslooth.______________________________________
3. I keep telling my folks that my bed has already been made with a hammer and nails and doesn’t need
to be made again by me._________________________________________________________________
Directions: As you know, the plot is the series of events in a story. You can use a story map to plan what
happens at each stage of your plot
Setting:
Conflict:
Exposition:
Rising Actions:
Climax:
Falling Actions:
Resolution:
Theme
A theme makes a story interesting and gives it a purpose. You, as the author, try to influence the reader
creating a message that you believe is important.
Enjoying life could be the theme of spending a day at the beach.
Doing your best could be the theme of a game of football.
The importance of family could be the theme of a family reunion.
What is the theme of your short story?
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Characters
Short stories usually have two or three characters. More than three becomes too difficult to keep track of the characters; the story becomes too complicated. Characters can be people… or animals, things, even the weather!
Directions: Decide two or three characters you will have in your short story. Build a character chart about each character.
Voice/PoV
Most stories are told in either first person or third person.
o First Person: The narrator is one of the characters. First person uses the pronouns I, me, my,
mine, we, us, our, ours
When you tell a story in first person, you are in the story. The story is very personal.
You can tell your thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
o Third Person: The narrator is watching from outside the story.
Third person uses the pronouns he, him, his, she, her, hers
When you tell a story in third person, you can tell what everyone is doing and
thinking. This gives you, as the author, the chance to create a complete picture of
the incident.
Directions: Decide which voice you will use in your short story. Write two sentences you may use in your
story. Use at least one pronoun in each sentence.
Direct Quotes
Conversation using direct quotes makes a story more interesting and allows the characters to tell the
story in their own words.
Directions: Write a conversation between two people that you can use in your story. Each person must
speak at least once.
Literary Devices
Good writers use literary devices to make their work interesting. Common literary devices are:
Alliteration – words that begin the same
Hyperbole – exaggeration Personification – a non-human things is given human qualities
Imagery – painting a picture with words Rhyme – words that end the same
Metaphor – comparing two dissimilar things without like, as, resembles, or than
Simile – comparing two dissimilar things using like, as, resembles, or than
Onomatopoeia – a word that is a sound Alliteration – words that begin the same
Directions: Choose three literary devices you might use in your short story and list them. For each
device, write a phrase or sentence to use.
Name:________________________________________ Class: _________________Due: ____________
Rough Draft
Directions: Write your rough draft below using your notes on planning/pre-writing and as well as the hints.
Exposition
• Start with the opening line you chose on the first page of planning!
• Introduce the characters and setting, and set the stage for the central conflict.
• Establish a point of view by introducing a narrator, or the voice that tells the story.
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Rising action and Climax
• Use precise words and phrases to describe the characters, setting, and events.
• Include complications, or obstacles, that show how the conflict becomes more complicated.
Pace the events to create suspense and keep your audience interested in the plot.
• Sequence events so that they happen naturally and logically.
• Make sure events build to a climax or turning point.
• Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses, such as before, meanwhile, and after to
help your audience understand changes in time or setting.
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Falling action and Resolution
• Provide a conclusion that resolves the conflict. • Tie up any loose ends that might leave your audience feeling confused. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Name:________________________________________ Class: _________________Due: ____________
Peer Review – Name of person reviewing: ___________________
Directions: Give your peer reader your rough draft and have them fill in this sheet.
1. Is the plot compelling? What is the conflict (describe it in detail)? Does it develop a conflict
through all stages of plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution)?
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2. What point of view is the story written in? How do you know? Is the point of view
maintained throughout the story?
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3. Describe one of their characters and make one suggest for them to add in terms of
character development:
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4. List 5 transition words they used to show time passing. If they don’t have 5, make
suggestions for them to add:
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5. What was the theme (message or moral) of the story?
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Make one suggestion for their story (to add or remove):
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6. Give them one compliment:
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YOU’RE ALMOST DONE!
Directions: Now that you have written a rough draft and had a peer review it, get out a sheet of loose
leaf paper or a computer and write your final draft. Remember:
Make sure your theme is well communicated __________
Write in paragraphs __________
Double check G/S/P __________
Refer back to the rubric to make sure you checked everything off __________
When you’re done your final draft, staple it to this packet and turn it in to your class period’s bin!