Short Story Writing Assignment
The Assignment
For this assignment, you will be creating your own short story (500-1000 words). Your piece will
need to include the short story elements we have discussed throughout this unit. The goal is to
work towards creating a story that includes these elements, and also takes into account all of
the challenges that are a part of writing good fiction.
In crafting your story, keep the following in mind:
• Choose a theme/conflict as the basis for your story.
• Use indirect characterization (description of character’s appearance, actions, thoughts,
words, and other character’s reactions to them) to bring your characters to “life.”
• Think carefully about your lead and your conclusion-your lead should draw the reader
into the story (narrative hook), and your conclusion should provide some sort of
resolution.
• Try using thoughts and descriptive pictures (imagery) to make your story and characters
believable.
Pre-writing Packet
Complete the following pre-writing assignments and turn them in after you submit your short
story:
• Plot Diagram
• Setting Worksheet
• Characterization Worksheet
Reminders
As you write and revise your story, keep the following tips in mind:
• Give enough information so the reader can actually picture the story events and
characters.
• Give details that are specific and relevant.
• Consider word choice and sentence structure carefully.
• Correct any grammatical and spelling errors.
Practical Considerations
Be sure to following all guidelines set forth in class. Remember:
• Utilize your creative writing worksheets throughout the writing process.
• Your story must be a minimum of two typed pages and no more than four.
• Use Times New Roman, size 12 font for everything, including the title. Double space
your story.
Review the Rubric!
You will be graded based on the Short Story Rubric attached. Did you included all of the
elements listed?
Short Story Grading Rubric
CATEGORY
Exceptional (A)
Good (B)
Fair (C)
Poor (D)
Setting
Many vivid, descriptive
words are used to tell when
and where the story took
place.
Some vivid, descriptive
words are used to tell the
audience when and where
the story took place.
The reader can figure
out when and where the
story took place, but the
author didn't supply
much detail.
The reader has
trouble figuring out
when and where the
story took place.
Characters
The main characters are
named and clearly
described. Most readers
could describe the
characters accurately.
The main characters are
named and described.
Most readers would have
some idea of what the
characters looked like.
The main characters are
named. The reader
knows very little about
the characters.
It is hard to tell who
the main characters
are.
Problem/Conflict
It is very easy for the reader
to understand the problem
the main characters face and
why it is a problem.
It is fairly easy for the
reader to understand the
problem the main
characters face and why it
is a problem.
It is fairly easy for the
reader to understand the
problem the main
characters face but it is
not clear why it is a
problem.
It is not clear what
problem the main
characters face.
Solution/Resolution
The solution to the
character's problem is easy
to understand, and is logical.
There are no loose ends.
The solution to the
character's problem is easy
to understand, and is
somewhat logical.
The solution to the
character's problem is a
little hard to understand.
No solution is
attempted or it is
impossible to
understand.
Dialogue
There is an appropriate
amount of dialogue to bring
the characters to life and it is
always clear which
character is speaking.
There is too much
dialogue in this story, but
it is always clear which
character is speaking.
There is not quite
enough dialogue in this
story, but it is always
clear which character is
speaking.
There is no dialogue,
or it is not clear
which character is
speaking.
Organization
The story is very well
organized. One idea or
scene follows another in a
logical sequence with clear
transitions.
The story is pretty well
organized. One idea or
scene may seem out of
place. Clear transitions are
used.
The story is a little hard
to follow. The
transitions are
sometimes not clear.
Ideas and scenes
seem to be randomly
arranged.
Creativity
The story contains many
creative details and/or
descriptions that contribute
to the reader's enjoyment.
The author has really used
his/her imagination.
The story contains a few
creative details and/or
descriptions that
contribute to the reader's
enjoyment. The author has
used his/her imagination.
The story contains a few
creative details and/or
descriptions, but they
distract from the story.
The author has tried to
use his/her imagination.
There is little
evidence of creativity
in the story. The
author does not seem
to have used much
imagination.
Mechanics
The story contains no errors
in grammar, usage, or
mechanics.
The story contains few
minor errors in grammar,
usage, or mechanics.
The story contains many
and/or serious errors in
grammar, usage, or
mechanics; may
interfere with reading.
The story contains so
many errors in
grammar, usage, and
mechanics that errors
block reading.
Requirements
All of the written
requirements (typed, double
spaced, # of pages, font,
margins) were met.
Almost all (about 90%)
the written requirements
were met.
Most (about 75%) of the
written requirements
were met, but several
were not.
Many requirements
were not met.
Theme
The story supports the
theme using a variety of
literary elements. (i.e.
setting, character, dialogue,
plot, etc.)
The story supports the
theme using a few literary
elements.
The story supports the
them using one of the
literary elements.
The story does not
incorporated the
theme.
Short Story Grading Rubric
Name: ______________________
CATEGORY
Points Earned
Setting
Characters
Problem/Conflict
Solution/Resolution
Dialogue
Organization
Creativity
Mechanics
Requirements
Theme
TOTAL:
Plot Diagram
Exposition
Inciting Action
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Denouement
Setting Worksheet: Every story happens somewhere. Imagine where your story will take place.
Decide the place and the time period then develop 2-3 “images” for each of the five senses that
describe the location. Remember the goal of descriptive writing: “showing” not “telling.”
Place (Real or Invented):
Time Period:
Season:
Sight:
Sound:
Taste:
Touch:
Smell:
Dominant Impression (overall mood):
Character Worksheet: Although you may not explicitly narrate all of these details in your short
story (and really short stories usually don’t), a fully developed character helps you imagine the
protagonist of the story and create believable action and dialogue.
Character Name:_________________________________________________________________
Age:
Gender:
Eye color:
Complexion:
Build (Height/Weight):
Hair color/style:
Style of dress:
Most striking physical feature (one thing that everyone would notice):
Mannerisms (a habitual or characteristic manner, mode, or way of doing something):
Speaking voice (sound quality):
Personality strengths:
Personality weaknesses:
Critical flaw (a limitation, imperfection, problem, phobia, or deficiency present in a character):
Back story (the personal history that explains the character’s motivation):
What does the character really want?
What is the character most afraid of?