Creative Writing/Short Story Assignment
Mrs. Larsen
7th Grade Block
Due Dates (see table below):
 Rough Draft—5/10
 Final Draft—5/14
 All Point Value Handouts—5/14
Points Value:
 Rough Draft=10
 Final Draft=25
 All Point Value Handouts=20
Length: Two-three pages, typed
Directions: For this assignment, you will write a short story that explores a theme of
(choose one or more) isolation, alienation, courage in the face of fear, or loss and
remembrance. Your story will incorporate the basic elements of fiction, including (but
not limited to)
 Setting
 Character
 Plot (exposition, inciting incident, climax, resolution, suspense, foreshadowing,
flashback)
 Theme
 Symbolism
For this assignment, we will study two models over the next two weeks: Ray Bradbury’s
short story, The Foghorn, and Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, The Tell-Tale Heart. We
will discuss the author’s craft (techniques) and you will discover how to use these
strategies in your original work.
Timeline
Date
4/26
Monday
4/27
Tuesday
4/28
Wednesd
ay
4/29
Thursday
Note: If absent, use the website postings to stay on schedule with the
class!
Class Assignment
Homework Assignment
The Foghorn
Finish reading selection, if not completed
in class
The Foghorn: Analyzing Elements of Review the Elements of Fiction
Fiction (see p. 532-3 in your literature
anthology)
Choose a theme and a symbol for your Complete any unfinished work
theme, complete graphic organizer (5
points)
Write the setting for your Creative
Complete any unfinished work
Writing Paper; use sensory
description and vivid vocabulary to
evoke the emotion of your theme(s)
4/30
Friday
5/3
Monday
State Reading Test: No Reading or
Writing class today
Sketching the character(s)
Back-story & character’s motivation:
What is the past of this character?
Why is s/he motivated to act, what
does s/he want, and why?
The Exposition
Pulling together setting and
character(s) descriptions; write the
exposition
No Writing Homework
5/5
Weds.
Developing plot: Draft your inciting
incident, climax, and resolution
Be at least half done with your plot draft
5/6
Thursday
Developing plot: Finish drafting your
inciting incident, climax, and
resolution
Adding in suspense: Include
foreshadowing, flashback, and
language (vocabulary) that creates
mood
Rough Draft due today!!
Peer Edits, revising your rough draft,
using the checklist (5 points) provided
Finish outline of plot, get a “peer edit”
from a friend or family member on your
plot
Edit/Revise your draft
5/4
Tuesday
5/7
Friday
5/10
Monday
5/11
Tuesday
Typing the final draft in computer lab
5/12
Weds
Mini-Lesson
5/14
Friday
Final Draft and all (point value)
documents due, stapled, in order,
DUE today
Complete any unfinished work on your
character sketch
Complete any unfinished work on your
exposition
-Edit/Revise/Refine your draft
-Have a friend or family member read and
critique your draft, then complete
Critique Handout (5 points)
-Finish typing if not done in class today
-Score your paper using the scoring guide
(5 points) provided
Complete exercise at home if needed
Congratulations on your
accomplishment!!
Documents to attach to your final draft (in this order)
1. Final draft (on top)—25 points
2. Graphic Organizer (next)—5 points
3. Checklist for Editing (next)—5 points
4. Critique Handout (next)—5 points
5. Scoring Guide (on bottom) filled out by you—5 points