Micro Mini Short Story Assignment
In the short story “Marigolds” by Eugenia Collier, at one point in the story, the narrator,
Lizabeth recalls an incident that occurred during the Great Depression when she was
fourteen. After reading the historical fiction piece, you are to rewrite a portion of the short
story from Miss Lottie’s perspective.
Circumstances of the Task/Directions:
1. You must write a micro mini short story from Miss Lottie’s point of view.
2. The assignment has to be at least 25 sentences and 250 words in length.
3. You are allowed to use your texts and your notes during your rewrites.
4. Your story must answer the following questions:
a. How does Miss Lottie feel about her living conditions?
b. How does she manage to take care of her son John Burke?
c. Why does she plant marigolds?
d. Why doesn’t she get angry with Lizabeth after Lizabeth destroys her marigolds?
e. Explain the situation with Lizabeth and the destruction of the marigolds.
Example of how to start:
Back when I was a kid, I was known as the weird girl that no one would talk to. I was also known as the poorest girl in
my home town of Jackson, Mississippi. I didn’t care about how my house looked back then and I certainly don’t care about
how it looks now. As long as I have a roof over my head, I’m fine. I made a promise to my momma that I would grow marigolds
when I got older.
Stage #1:
Begin by preparing a list of brainstorming/prewriting ideas. Make decisions about which ideas you will and
will not use in your short story.
Stage #2:
Organize your ideas by using the outline provided.
Stage #3:
Write your hand-written copy, including each of the following: description, narration, and dialogue. Keep in
mind a well written story often contains figures of speech, flashbacks, foreshadows, similes, metaphors,
allusions and personifications. Remember to use the proper conventions of writing.
Stage #4:
Meet with two separate classmates to edit your short story together. Please ask me questions about your
writing that neither of you are able to answer. Make changes to your work in your own writing in a different
color of pen or pencil. Make sure you use the editing marks.
Stage #5:
Think of an appropriate title for your short story.
Stage #6:
Prepare your final, typed copy: Times New Roman and 12 point font. Your title will appear on the top of your
first page followed by your name, class, and date in the upper right hand corner. A title page is not needed.
Outline Sheet
Name:____________________
Class:____________________
Date:_____________________
1. INRODUCTION
Protagonist’s name:
Three Character Traits:
1.
2.
3.
Antagonist(s)’s name(s):
Three Character Traits:
1.
2.
3.
Setting (time and place):
Emotional setting/Atmosphere of story (details such a lighting, weather, and expression):
2. INITIAL INCIDENT
Statement of Conflict:
3. RISING ACTION
Episode #1 leading to the Climax:
Episode #2 leading to the Climax:
Episode #3 leading to the Climax:
4. CLIMAX
Highest point of action in short story:
5. FALLING ACTION
Tie up lose ends:
6. CONCLUSION
End your short story:
Feeling left with reader at the conclusion of story (Mood):
Point of View:
Theme(s):
Tone, or attitude of a writer towards your subject: