American Dream Short Story Assignment
Due Date:
September 28th (Dropbox)
October 6th (Dropbox)
For this assignment, you will write a short story, illustrating the theme of the American Dream. You will create a character that exemplifies someone striving to achieve the American Dream. What is their dream? Is their dream easy to achieve? What do they have to do to achieve it? What kinds of qualities does that person have that makes them successful? Will they succeed?
American Dream Short Story Guidelines
Format:
12 Point Font
1.5 Spaced
1.24 cm margins
a title
4-5 Pages
September 28th (Dropbox)
- Character Chart (YOURNAMECharacterChart.doc)
- Scene/Story Plan (YOURNAMEStoryPlan.doc)
October 6th (Dropbox)
- Completed Story (YOURNAMEAmericanDreamStory.doc
For this assignment, you will write a short story, illustrating the theme of the American Dream. You will create a character that exemplifies someone striving to achieve the American Dream. What is their dream? Is their dream easy to achieve? What do they have to do to achieve it? What kinds of qualities does that person have that makes them successful? Will they succeed?
American Dream Short Story Guidelines
Format:
12 Point Font
1.5 Spaced
1.24 cm margins
a title
4-5 Pages
Must include the following:
Unity of action:
Unity of place:
Unity of time:
Unity of character
Conflict
Plot
Theme
Unity of action:
- should have one main action that it follows, with no or few subplots.
Unity of place:
- should cover a single physical space (a restaurant, a school, a movie theater)
Unity of time:
- the action should take place over no more than 24 hours.
Unity of character
- Focus on one main character (with a supporting character if need be)
- Must reveal character through action, description, speech of others, ..etc.
Conflict
- Must have a recognizable conflict (Somebody Wanted But So) where the character wants something but something or someone is standing in his or her way.
Plot
- Must have a structure that introduces and resolves the conflict (exposition, big event, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)
- Must have a clear beginning middle and end.
Theme
- Must illustrate the "Rags to Riches" aspect of the American Dream
Additional Resources
Interactive Plot Diagram to organize your story.
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/plot-diagram/
Literary Elements
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/lit-elements/
Plot Structure PPT
Interactive Plot Diagram to organize your story.
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/plot-diagram/
Literary Elements
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/lit-elements/
Plot Structure PPT
plotstructure_1.pps | |
File Size: | 2772 kb |
File Type: | pps |
Character Chart - You do not have to fill in everything (at least 50%), but the more you know about your character,
the more believable he or she will be.
the more believable he or she will be.
charchart.doc | |
File Size: | 214 kb |
File Type: | doc |