Evaluating a Story
Essay Assignment
Rough Draft Due: Thursday, 3/24/11
Evaluating a Story
Characteristics of a good story:
1)
2)
3)
4)
The characters are believable
The setting seems realistic
The plot seems realistic
The story presents a theme or
message
Drawing Conclusions
Write a sentence stating your
conclusion based on one or more of
your chosen elements
EXAMPLE #1:
“In the story ____________, the main
character’s words, thoughts and
actions make him/her seem like a
real person facing real problems.”
Drawing Conclusions
EXAMPLE #2:
“In the story ____________, the
elements of character, setting and
theme work together to create a lively
and meaningful story.”
(choose your own adjectives)
Essay Outline
I.INTRODUCTION
A. Title, author and format of the
story (whichever apply)
B. Brief summary
C. The main idea - Thesis Statement
This is the sentence you have
written that states your conclusion
about elements of the story
Introductory Paragraph
1) Thesis Statement, summary, transition
2) Attention grabber, summary, Thesis Statement,
3)
transition
Attention grabber, Thesis Statement, summary,
transition
 Be sure that your summary includes the

important details about the story; you are
writing for a reader that hasn’t seen the movie
However… don’t use details that you will be
referring to in your body paragraphs.
Essay Outline
II. THE BODY (2 - 3 paragraphs)
•
•
If you have chosen two conclusions, you
will write two paragraphs (#2); for three
conclusions, you will write three (#3).
Each paragraph must begin with a topic
sentence and include support.
Essay Outline
III. THE CONCLUSION
Restate the main idea in different
words; show what you have proven.
Tips and Tools
 Use Writer’s Inc. - Section 131
“Basic Writing and Thinking Moves”
Take notes as you read/watch the
story. Decide which of the four
elements you want to focus on
and record details and supporting
information.
Help Wanted!!!!
In the story facing the giants, there are many exciting
and dramatic things happening. This story takes place at
Shiloh Christian Acataomy. Where they weren’t having
that great of a football season. Until grant taylor turn to
God for help. Grant Taylor’s words and thoughts make
him seem like a real person facing real problems.
 Thesis Statement
 Pattern
 Grammar, spelling, punctuation
Help Wanted!!!!
Did you know Shiloh Christian School is a real school and most
of the football players in the movie go there? It is Coach Grant
Taylor’s 7th year of coaching and he is tired of losing. He decides he
needs a new coaching method and it includes God the whole way.
Grant Taylors new coaching stradagy does work and this is how the
school gets to the state championship. In the story Facing the Giants
coach Grant Taylor words thoughts and actions make him seem like
a real person facing real problems.
 Thesis Statement
 Pattern
 Grammar, spelling, punctuation