Elements of Fiction Unit
Writing Assignments:
All writing assignments will be written NEATLY or typed. Be sure to label each one
with the correct element of fiction.
Choose one of the following writing assignments:
1. Create a setting. Allow your reader to picture the time and place you are
describing. Remember to use your five senses. This needs to be at least 5
sentences.
2. Create a comic strip that demonstrates theme. Be sure there is a lesson to be
learned not only through your pictures, but also through your wisely chosen
words. This needs to be at least 4 blocks long.
Choose one of the following writing assignments:
1. Create a story that focuses on a static or dynamic character. This needs to be at
least 10 sentences.
2. Choose a children’s story. Once you have done that, rewrite it from another
character’s point of view. This needs to be at least 10 sentences.
Answer the following reading response question:
After reading “You Can’t Take It With You”, write a response to the questions: Did
he do the right thing? Would you have done the same thing? If not, what would you
have done differently? This needs to be at least 10 sentences.
Extra credit writing assignments:
1. Create a story that focuses on a dynamic character. This story will probably also
have a theme. This needs to be at least 10 sentences.
2. Create a mood. Word choice will be extremely important here. Allow your
reader to sense what type of story you are creating whether it be scary,
suspenseful, happy, sad, etc. This needs to be at least 5 sentences.
The writing assignment section will account for a total of 20 points.
Adventures for Readers Assignments:
For each of the following short stories, select 5 vocabulary words as you read. Write
down the sentence that you found the word in along with the page number. Then you
must also write down each word’s dictionary definition.
Have a separate sheet of paper per story. Be sure to label your papers with the story titles
so they do not get mixed up with anything else.
Please write your answers out NEATLY in complete sentences.
1. Read “The Dinner Party” (pg. 204-205). Answer the following questions:
1.What was the conflict of this story? 2. What was the theme the author
portrayed with this story?
2. Read “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” (pg. 229-239). Complete the For Study and Discussion
questions and also the Literary Elements section “Understanding Methods of
Characterization”.
3. Read “A Day’s Wait” (pg. 242-244). Complete the Literary Elements section
“Understanding the Narrator’s Point of View”.
4. Read “You Can’t Take It With You” (pg.264-268). Complete the Literary
Elements section “Recognizing Irony”.
Extra Credit reading assignments:
1. Read “Zleteh the Goat” (pg. 270-274). Complete the Literary Elements sections
“Interpreting Theme” and “Understanding Points of View”.
2. Read “Rip Van Winkle” (pg. 247-262). Complete the Literary Elements sections
“Focus on Setting” and “Understanding Character Types”.
3. Read “The Landlady” (pg. 220-226). Complete the Literary Elements section
“Understanding Suspense and Foreshadowing”.
The reading assignments will account for a total of 30 points.
Other Assignments:
1. In Adventures for Readers, read pages 304-305 Focus on Writing. Follow along
with the tips and create your own fictional story. This must be at least 10
sentences. (20 points)
2. Complete an Are We There Yet? plot diagram for your favorite children’s story.
(10 points)
Extra Credit Assignments:
1. In Adventures for Readers, complete Focus on Reading and Critical Thinking
section “Evaluating Short Stories”.
All of your work will be compiled into a group portfolio. This portfolio will be your
grade for the unit (instead of a paper and pencil test). All assignments need to be
completed in order to receive credit for each section.
You will also be evaluating yourself and your partners. Please remember when you
are working cooperatively to always value each other’s opinions. (10 points)
This unit is a total of 80 points. Please remember to always be proud to put your
name on the assignments you are turning in.
B