Name: ________________________________
Teacher: ______________________________
Subject: _________________________Period______
Date: _________________________________
As we near the end of our short story unit, it’s time to write your own short story! It’s your job to create
characters that are interesting and dynamic, and a story that shows me that you are exploring your
own personal writing style and voice. Read on to familiarize yourself with the guidelines.
Here are the requirements:
Your story must be at least one full page handwritten. You are welcome to write more.
Within your story, you must choose ONE (or more, if you want) of the following literary devices to use:
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Metaphor
Simile
Personification
Hyperbole
Dramatic Irony
Situational Irony
Verbal Irony
Symbolism
Descriptive Imagery
On your final copy, you will highlight and label your specific literary device. You will not receive credit
if you do not highlight and CORRECTLY label the literary device you used.
As for grammar, here’s what you need in your story.
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Two compound sentences
One complex sentence
Just like with your literary device, you must highlight and CORRECTLY label your three sentences.
One more thing to make sure you have in your story: Dialogue! It doesn’t have to be long, but you do
need to have two characters speaking to each other at some point. Make sure you punctuate the
dialogue correctly. If you’re having trouble remembering how to do this, you can always refer back to
your notes or one of the short stories that we’ve read as a class. Make sure you highlight and label
your dialogue as well.
Your planning pages are a part of your grade! You will be turning this packet in with your final copy of
your short story. Make sure you take a look at the rubric before you begin the writing process. The
rubric in this packet is the same one I will use to give you a grade!
This is a full major grade! Do your very best work. 
This assignment is due on:
_____________________________________________________________
Before you get started, here are some commandments that will greatly benefit you…
1. Thou shalt not write about human-on-human violence. If there is a “monster” of some sort in your
story, that’s great! Your protagonist may kill the monster. However, let it be known that there shall be
no graphic scenes describing the murder of a human.
2. Thou shalt not write things that will make Mr. Koneschik feel the need to call your sweet, precious
parents. This means no drug references and no alcohol references.
3. Thou shalt not make Mr. Koneschik uncomfortable by writing about anything of an “inappropriate”
nature. Use your best judgment. You have been warned.
4. Thou shalt not plagiarize. I watch TV too. Do not try to pass off an episode of Pretty Little Liars as
your own work. This story should be fictional!
Please sign your name on the line below indicating that you have read and agree to the terms of this
assignment. Yes, this signature is part of your grade.
Signature of Writer:
__________________________________________________________________
Brainstorming Area:
In the space below, begin planning your protagonist.
Name:
Age:
Physical Description:
Personality Description:
What actions will this character take in the story?
Now, do the same thing for your antagonist.
Name:
Age:
Physical Description:
Personality Description:
What actions will this character take in the story?
On this page, plan your setting and your storyline. Make sure you draw the linear plot mountain that
we have discussed throughout these past few weeks. Then, jot down some notes at each point so
you have a basic outline for where you want your story to go.
A few other things to think about…
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What is the setting and time period of your story?
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Through which point of view will the story be told? (1st person, 3rd person, etc.)
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What type of conflict is present in your story? (Internal or External?)
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What do you want the reader to take away from your story?
Rubric
Name of Author (that’s you!):
______/3
Title of Story:
______/3
Length Requirement:
______/5
Planning Pages Completed
______/15
Signature of Understanding:
______/1
Everything in this second section must be highlighted and CORRECTLY labeled in order for you to
receive credit for it.
Literary Device
______/10
Compound Sentence #1
______/10
Compound Sentence #2
______/10
Complex Sentence #1
______/10
Dialogue
______/10
Clear Protagonist
______/5
Clear Antagonist
______/5
Conflict is apparent (Internal or External)
______/5
Plot is clear and logical
______/5
Setting is clear
______/3
Total: __________________