REALISTIC FICTION WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Format
 Two to four pages long
 1.5 spacing
 Size 12, Times New Roman font
Calendar
 4/9/08 – Complete rough draft due
 4/15/08 – Second draft due
 4/17/08 – Final due
Requirements
 Develop a story that is within your range of experience.
 Choose a story that is simple enough to be handled in only two to four pages.
 Write one to four scenes only.
 Create an original title for your story.
Writing Guidelines
 Show, don’t tell; for example, “His head scraped the ceiling,” instead of, “He
was tall.”
 Focus on important events, and exclude irrelevant details – no “bed-to-bed”
stories.
 Use figurative language, descriptive details, and sensory language to make
your writing come alive.
 Develop an individual manner of speaking for each character in your story
 Choose vivid, specific words to tell your story; avoid general words such as
nice, good, bad, went, said, happy, thing, etc.
Story Elements
 Tell the story in first-person point of view.
 Create fully-developed, realistic characters – avoid stereotypes.
 Describe the setting of your story.
 Create a complete plotline; the lead, rising action, climax, and resolution
should all be fully developed.
Additional information
 Most of the work will be done in the computer lab, but you may also need to do
some work at home in order to meet deadlines.
 A teacher-student writing conference is recommended.
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Name ______________________________________ Date _____________________
Realistic Fiction Rubric
You do this
consistently
and/or with
excellent
effect.
You do this
often
and/or with
good
effect.
You do this
inconsistently
and/or with
limited effect.
You need to
improve here
to write more
effectively.
The piece is realistic in its
portrayal of characters and events.
All parts of the plot are fully
developed: problem, rising action,
climax, and resolution.
Details are so vivid that the reader
can experience the settings,
characters, and events.
The piece has a clear, consistent
focus – it includes important
elements of the story, but leaves
out unimportant parts
Dialogue is realistic, meaningful,
and reflects the personality of each
speaker.
Clear, specific, vivid word choice
helps create a distinctive voice.
The writing process is evident
through the clarity and fluidity of
the final draft.
Errors in spelling, grammar,
capitalization, punctuation, and
other conventions are incidental.
Followed directions and met
deadlines.
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Additional Comments:
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