Name: __________________________
Date: _____________________
Character Writing Assignment
“Stand By Me”
For this assignment, you will adapt the voice of Chris, Gordie, Teddie or Vern. Choose
one of the following writing prompts:
 Gordie: "He's not a thief", you plead to your father (talking about Chris). Why
do you say this, and what makes you and Chris best friends? Write a letter to
your father that explains the ‘real’ Chris and why you’re best friends.
 Vern: It has been one week since you found the body. The entire adventure
was your idea. Are you proud and happy that everyone went along with your
suggestion or do you regret asking everyone to go with you? Reflecting back
on specific events of the film, comment on how you feel, considering
everything that happened was because of you. This may take the form of a
diary entry, a letter to any of the other characters.
 Gordie: As a budding writer, you keep a diary to record your thoughts. Write an
entry in your diary reflecting back on the year. Include events that happened in
grade 9, people you met, and why Chris is now in the university program. You
must also make reference to the events in the movie.
 Chris: For your end-of-semester writing assignment, your English teacher wants
you to write a narrative piece, reflecting on your first year of high school. Include
events that happened in grade 9, people you met, and why you have chosen to
enter the university program. You must also make reference to the events in the
movie, explaining how they influenced the past year.
 Teddie: It has been one week since you found the body. You open your journal
and begin to write about why you had to see it through…what your motivation
was…and why this journey was so important to you?
 Vern: You are now (years later) the CEO of a very thriving technology company.
You are speaking to your son or daughter who is having some difficulty fitting in
at school. What advice do you have for him or her? Make sure to refer to the
childhood experiences you’ve had (that we see in the movie).
 Teddie: Years later, you have become a history teacher. Write a lecture that you
will give to your students.
Length: Minimum 1 page, single-spaced
Rough copy due date:
Peer editing:
Due date:
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“Stand By Me” Character Writing Rubric
Curriculum
Expectation
Knowledge/
Understanding
Description of Criteria
 Demonstrates understanding of
the movie by using relevant
details and ideas
 Offers a complex, logical and
creative progression of the movie
Thinking/Inquiry
 Makes inferences based on
understanding the primary
source (Stand By Me) including
characters / events
Thinking/Inquiry
 Develops a coherent plan for
writing
 Demonstrates original, creative
ideas
 Organizes ideas
Communication
 Evidence of engagement with
audience;
 Sense of voice;
 Evidence of effective diction.
 Writes complete sentences that
communicate their meaning
clearly and accurately, varying
sentence type, structure, and
length and making logical
transitions between ideas
 Correct use of accurate
conventions (spelling,
punctuation, grammar)
 Use of proofreading techniques
to polish writing
Comments
Level