Writing a Short Story Essential Question: How can a strategic writer engage the reader through plot and character development.

Define Plot Idea: a sentence or two, which includes the situation, character (s), and a complication for a short story. A plot idea does not solve the problem or complication; it just articulates it for the writer to develop.

Examples of plot ideas Two families from Verona are bitter enemies. The daughter of one family falls in love with the son of the other family. A poor girl dreams of escaping her life as a maid for her stepmother and stepsisters. Her stepmother does not allow her to attend the prince’s ball where he will choose his bride. Point out the part of the plot idea that describes the situation, the part that identifies the main character, and the part that describes the complication or problem.

Recall plots to the following that we have read this year. The Drummer Boy of Shiloh The drummer boy will lead the troops into battle tomorrow. He can’t sleep because he is afraid. Charles Charles misbehaves at school in hopes to get thrown out. He lies to his parents by acting like another boy is the trouble maker. Thank You M’am A lady is robbed, by a teenager on the street. She defends herself and decides to take matters in her own hands.

Break into 3 groups. Apply by writing a plot idea for each of the following tales on a sheet of paper: Goldilocks and the Three Bears Little Red Riding Hood The Three Little Pigs Make three copies of the plot ideas for each group. Then assign each group a tale.

Analyze the plot ideas by answering these questions to choose the most accurate one. Does each plot idea for this story include only the situation, character, and complication? How are the plot ideas different? Do any of the plot ideas tell too much? Do any of the plot ideas tell too little? Groups will report their finding to the entire class.

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Developing your own Plot Ideas In 2 minutes write down your own plot idea for each picture

Plot Pattern #1 The main character wants something. He sets out to get it, encountering obstacles along the way. He overcomes the obstacles and gets what he wants. Questions to answer: What does he want and why? What are the obstacles and how does he overcome them? How does he feel when finally gets what he wants?

Plot Pattern #2 The main character wants something. She overcomes all obstacles and gets what she wants. Then, she loses it. Questions to answer: What does she want and why? What are the obstacles and how does she overcome them? How does she feel when she finally gets what she wants? How does she lose what she gained? How does she feel when she loses it?

Plot Pattern #3 The main character wants something. He overcomes all of the obstacles and gets what he wants. Then he realizes that what he wanted was not so wonderful after all. Questions to answer: What does he want and why? What are the obstacles and how does he overcome them? How does he feel when he finally gets what he wants? How does he discover that it is not so wonderful? How does he feel in the end?

Plot Pattern #4 The main character wants something. She tries to overcome all the obstacles, but she can’t get what she wants. In the end, she does not care because she has gained something better. Questions to answer: What does she want and why? What are the obstacles and why does she not overcome them? How does she feel when she does not get what she wants and what does she gain? How does she realize that what was gained was better than what she wanted?

Plot Pattern #5 The main character has something. He is motivated to give it up for the sake of someone else. Questions to Answer: What does he have and how does he get it? For whom will he make a sacrifice and why? How does he make the sacrifice? How does the story end for the other character?

Plot Pattern #6 The main character is wronged by someone. The he gets even. Questions to Answer: How is the main character wronged, by whom, and why? How does he get even? How does the story end for both characters?

Plot Pattern #7 The main character is faced with a mystery or puzzle. The character solves the mystery or puzzle. Questions to Answers: What is the mystery? How does the character find out about the mystery? What does the character do to solve the mystery? How does the story end for the character?

Previous Short Stories What are their plot patterns? The Drummer Boy of Shiloh Charles Cub Pilot on the Mississippi Up the Slide Thank You M’am

Evaluate Short Stories in Groups of 3-4 “Drummer Boy of Shiloh,” “Charles,” “Cub Pilot on the Mississippi,” “Up the Slide,” and “Thank You Ma’m” List all scenes. List Character names and decide if they have any significance to the story. Analyze how they develop the characters. Does the author use dialogue, actions, thoughts, or does the author directly state traits.

What the character’s physical traits? approximate age eye color hair color and style type of body or build skin tone shape of face clothing

What the character’s personality traits? outgoing or shy? deep thinker or impulsive? quiet or talkative Honest or not trust-worthy? sanguine or serious? disciplined or lazy?

Developing Character Traits Direct Characterization The writer directly states or describes the character’s traits or characteristics. Indirect Characterization The writer reveals a character’s personality through the character’s dialog, or through his or her thoughts or actions.

Writing an Engaging Beginning The Drummer Boy, Charles, Up the Slide, and Thank You Ma’m Look at the leads of our previous stories. What strategies does each author use to begin the story? Does he: Create a picture in the reader’ mind. Start with a line or two of dialogue. Start with a thought inside a character.

Concluding a Story Look at the endings of the 4 previous stories. What kinds of endings do these authors write? What are some common characteristics of the endings? Here some examples to guide you as you conclude your story.: • short (doesn’t drag the story on and on and on . . .) • ties up loose ends (answers any questions the reader has) • makes sense to the reader • keeps characters in character (no sudden change, just to make the story come out all right) • doesn’t end with “ . . . and then I woke up!”

Title The last step in writing a short story is typically writing the title. Students are to view books from my library. Each group will write down a list of 5 “best titles” and 5 “worst titles.” Groups should be able to talk about why they liked the best titles and what was wrong with the worst titles. Make a class list of the characteristics of the best and worst titles. Look at the touchstone stories. How did the authors of these stories create the titles? Do the titles fit with the characteristics on the class list? Are there other characteristics to add? Ask students to think of 4 or 5 different titles for their story.

Target Goal for Short Stories 1-2 Pages 12 point Helvetica Must upload by Wed., May 15, 2013 The story is focused on a main idea. Characters are well developed; the reader can see the characters’ appearance, thoughts, and actions. Dialogue sounds authentic and advances the plot. Plot is logically organized and well developed. Lead and conclusion are effective. Sentences are controlled and varied. Language is effective and acceptable. The story contains few errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Grading Rubric

Grading Rubric