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Dystopian Short Story Assignment
Due Dates: _____________________
Directions:
Over the course of our study on dystopian literature, we have discussed many of the key
characteristics of dystopian novels. For this assignment, you will write your own original
dystopian short story. Your short story must be a minimum of ______ pages long and must
contain five of the dystopian characteristics shared in class. You must have five individual
examples.You may not repeat a characteristic.At the end of your story, identify the five
characteristics that you chose to use and provide an example of the characteristic from your
own story. Please type your story, double space the lines, and use a 12 pt. Times New Roman
font. Your assignment must contain 1” margins.
Dystopian Characteristics: Propaganda is
used to control the citizens in society.
Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. The “herd mentality” is
encouraged. People are expected to follow the orders without thought or question.
A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.
Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
Citizens have a fear of the outside world. They have an unnatural dependence on what restricts them.
Citizens live in a dehumanized state. They have a lack of emotions or feelings that are relatable.
The natural world is banished and distrusted. Citizens innately fear what they do not know or understand.
Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.
The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world
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Plot Structure and Conflict Organizer
Students! Use this page as an aid for keeping the plot of your
story nice and organized!
Exposition: The beginning of your storyÿ provide the background information here.
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Rising Action: These events create tension, suspense, or interest in the narrative. They
are the events that lead to the climax!
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Climax: This part is the highest point of intensity within your storyÿ it is a culmination of the
events that have happened previously in the story.
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Falling Action: These events serve to show the reader what happened after the climax of your story.
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Denouement: This is the final part of your story. Here, you will draw together the various parts of your plot, and the matters in your story are
explained or resolved.
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DON’T FORGET!: Your story needs to have
a central conflict! Will your conflict be internal or external?
Internal Conflict: This type of conflict is a struggle that a character has within his or her own heart and mind. Maybe your character struggles
over making a hard decision? Maybe your character struggles with telling the truth?
External Conflict: This is a type of struggle that a character has within another character or element that is beyond his or her control. Is
your character at odds with a friend? Is your character struggling with technology or nature? Is your character warring against the society that he or
she lives in? Is there a supernatural element that is opposing your character?
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Type of Conflict:_______________________________________________________
Explain your conflict here:
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