1. The Realm of the Strange
Bellwork
The Realm of the Strange

2. Monday, October 20 Draw the story structure map on your paper. Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Exposition
Resolution

3. Realm of the Strange Story
You will write a creative short story about a spooky, strange, mysterious, or scary occurrence. Use all the brainstorming we will do for bellwork to help you plan your story. I am looking for description (adjectives) and specific details (action verbs). You may include dialogue in your story, but do make sure you punctuate it correctly. If you have questions, ask. I want to see an interesting plot that is clearly written. In other words, I should understand your story and be entertained. The short story must be at least 2 pages (front and back on one page) in length (7-10 words per line).

4. Monday, October
You will be writing a short story in this two week unit. Consider a short story that you have read in the past and enjoyed. Write in complete sentences.
1. What made you like it?
2. What do you think a short story needs to have to be entertaining?

5. Tuesday, October 21
Characters: Think about the types of people you want in your story, starting with the main character. Picture each character in detail.
1. What is the name and gender of the main character?
2. What is important to him or her?

6. Tuesday, October 21 2 Dude, it’s reading time!
Describe what your main character looks like.
1. What color hair?
2. How big, tall, or small is he or she? Is there anything unusual about how he or she looks?
3. How does your character talk? Does he or she speak a dialect or have a unique voice in anyway?
Dude, it’s reading time!
Begin your two column journal.
Remember: Use quotation marks in the page number.
Correct Format: Author’s name (Last, First.) Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

7. Wednesday, October 22 Dude, it’s reading time!
Characters: Think about the people you want in your story, specifically the antagonist. Picture the character in detail.
1. What do they look like?
2. How do they act?
3. What is important to him or her?
Dude, it’s reading time!
Begin your two column journal.
Remember: Use quotation marks in the page number.
Correct Format: Author’s name (Last, First.) Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

8. Wednesday, October 22 2
Conflict: List the events of your story in the order they’ll happen.
1. What causes the conflict?
2. How will the main character respond?
3. How will the conflict be resolved?

9. Monday, October 27
Setting: Describe where and when your story will take place. Use sensory images, such as description of sights, smells, and sounds.
1. Write at least 2 descriptions of objects or settings in your short story.

10. Monday, October 27 2 Dude, it’s reading time!
1. What is the mood of your story?
2. What can you add to your writing to establish this mood?
Dude, it’s reading time!
Begin your two column journal.
Remember: Use quotation marks in the page number.
Correct Format: Author’s name (Last, First.) Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

11. Tuesday, October 28
Dialogue: Start with two characters talking and see what they have to say. Dialogue can tell you a lot about the characters as well as the conflict. Writing dialogue is a good way to get ideas flowing.
Make sure that your dialogue has at least three lines and uses quotation marks correctly.

12. Tuesday, October 28 2 Dude, it’s reading time!
Figurative Language: These are non-literal statements that add description. “Our house was always swarming with people” and “the boys came buzzing round like bees” are examples.
1. Write a line of figurative language that can be used in your story.
Dude, it’s reading time!
Begin your two column journal.
Remember: Use quotation marks in the page number.
Correct Format: Author’s name (Last, First.) Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

13. Wednesday, October 29
Look back at your descriptions of your main character that were written last week.
1. What has changed about that character?
2. What will you add to your story involving that character?

14. Wednesday, October 29 Dude, it’s reading time!
Choose a character from your story. If that character had a bag, what would be found in it?
List at least five items that your character would carry.
Dude, it’s reading time!
Begin your two column journal.
Remember: Use quotation marks in the page number.
Correct Format: Author’s name (Last, First.) Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

15. Thursday, October 30
Career Day Question. Write out two questions you have for our career day speaker. 1. 2.

16. Thursday, October 30
Review back over the plot structure chart that you drew on the first day of this unit. Does your story contain those traditional elements of plot? Label the plot structure with quick summaries of each event your story covers.
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution