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Short Story Unit
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Grade 7 Language
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2014-2015 School Year
Warden Ave PS

STUDENT NAME:_______________________________

Short Story Unit

Elements of a Short Story
Now that you have seen and discussed the slideshow outlining the five main elements of a short story, you
need to make some notes in your own words about what each of them means. You can refer back to the
slideshow, but make sure you write your own explanation of each term. Use the space provided below.
Character:

Theme:

Setting:

Plot:

Conflict:

From the discussion you had, write what you believe to be the 3 rules of short stories are:
1)

2)

3)

End of Lesson

Plot
Time to see if youve been paying attention. Answer the following questions about Plot and lets see if youve
got it. Got it?
1. Which of the following is not one of the five building blocks of plot?
a) Climax
b) Resolution
c) Characters
d) Exposition
2. In the storys exposition, you will learn about: characters, conflict, and what else?
a) Motivation
b) Setting
3. Where on the plot chart is the storys
a)last
b)first
c) second
d)um, er, uhh
4. A storys climax is its:
a)most boring part
b)the beginning
c)the big finish
d)the end of the story.

5. The resolution of a story must always be happy and nice.

a)True
b)False

End of Lesson

Themes
Ok, so we just read and discussed about Jenny and the candy. Remember, a theme is what the story teaches
readers. And we always try and connect that idea to something in the big world. Now that we have that
established, lets practice.
Skill Builder
Read the following two (2) paragraphs and write the theme for each in the space given. Also complete the
reasoning portion, writing one or two sentences explaining why you think this is the theme.
Story 1: Angies Pencils
Angie loved to draw. She made colorful designs of peoples names with bright hearts & flowers, but
she lost own markers, so she borrowed her teachers. The school day was ending, but Angie wanted to
keep coloring, so she took the teachers markers home and lost them in her messy room. She came
back to school the next day and wanted to color again, so she asked the teacher for more markers. The
teacher replied, Sure, Angie, but this is my last pack. Angie said she would be careful, but by the end
of the day the markers were scattered all over the floor and the custodian swept them up and disposed
of them. When Angie came in the next day, she asked the teacher for more markers, but she was
disappointed to find that there werent any more. I dont know where all of my markers went, said
the teacher, but I dont have them. Angie had to draw her pictures with drab pencils.

THEME:______________________________________________________________________________
REASONING:_______________________________________________________________

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Story 2: Aleenas Frustration

Aleena hated reading class. She didnt understand point of view or figurative language, and not
knowing how to do the work frustrated her. She asked the teacher for help, but he spoke so fast and
used such big words that she still couldnt understand. The teacher asked if she understood, and she
nodded her head, but she didnt. Jennys friend Katie knew that Jenny was having trouble, and, rather
than just giving Aleena all of the answers, Katie explained to her how to solve the problems. Katie
spoke clearly and at her level, and Aleena was happy that she finally learned how to do the work. Later
in the week, Katie was having trouble in math class. She didnt understand coordinates and was really
frustrated. Seeing that Katie was having problems, Aleena, who understood math very well, taught
Katie coordinates. Both girls made honor roll that term.

THEME:______________________________________________________________________________
REASONING:_______________________________________________________________

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End of Lesson

Character
Most of us know what a character is but have a hard time explaining it to others. Heres one way to explain it:
A character is a person depicted in a narrative story. The main character in a story is generally known
as the protagonist; the character who opposes him or her is the antagonist. Character is revealed by
how a character responds to conflict, by his or her dialogue, and through descriptions. (from Ginny
Wiehardt-fictionwriting.about.com)
The key parts of this definition are the two main types of characters. The PROTAGONIST is the main person
who the story is about. Usually we call this person the hero.
The ANTAGONIST is the person who is going against the protagonist. This is often called the villain.
Now that weve established these roles, lets do an exercise that allows us to identify them in well known
stories. From the list below choose three (3) stories and identify who you think the protagonist(s) and
antagonist(s) are. Give a short explanation of why for each choice.
LIST OF STORIES
Star Wars
Cinderella
3 Little Pigs
Harry Potter Books
Sleeping Beauty

Snow White & The 7 Dwarves

The Smurfs
Rapunzel
Goldilocks and The 3 Bears

Story #1: ______________________________________________

Protagonist:_______________________________________________________________

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Antagonist:________________________________________________________________

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Story #2: ______________________________________________

Protagonist:_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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Antagonist:________________________________________________________________

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Story #3: ______________________________________________

Protagonist:_______________________________________________________________

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Antagonist:________________________________________________________________

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End of Lesson

SETTING
As we know from earlier in this unit, setting is the time, place and environment where a short story takes place.
Since we know this already, lets look at how an author (and how you will) creates setting in their story.
Place might include such things as a city, state, country, castle, cottage, playground, ship,
mountain, or stadium.
Time might include clues that let us know it is the afternoon, evening, the future, historical
times, or even clock time.
Environment might include details that describe the weather, the noise level, or darkness.
Lets take a look at an example from a very famous short novel, or novella, by American author F. Scott
Fitzgerald called The Great Gatsby.
There was music from my neighbor's house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men
and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars. At
high tide in the afternoon I watched his guests diving from the tower of his raft, or taking the sun
on the hot sand of his beach while his two motor-boats slit the waters of the Sound, drawing
aquaplanes over cataracts of foam. On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing
parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while his station
wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains. And on Mondays eight servants, including
an extra gardener, toiled all day with mops and scrubbing-brushes and hammers and garden-shears, repairing the
ravages of the night before.

In the space below, lets identify clues that help to describe the 3 main aspects of setting:
Place

Time

Environment

Note that all of these elements help to create a mood, a feeling for the reader that allows them into the world
of the story. When you write your story, dont forget to include details like these to help set the tone of the
story.
End of Lesson

GENRE BREAKDOWN Essential Elements

Weve now gone through the elements of each of the three genres of short stories we will be looking at. To
help you with your Story Analysis, here is a breakdown of each genres essential elements.
There are 5 basics parts to a good Adventure story:
1. Hero (Protagonist)
2. Villain (Antagonist)
3. Backstory
4. Action
5. Quest or Task
There are 5 basics parts to a good Mystery story:
1. Hero (Protagonist)
2. Villain (Antagonist)
3. Backstory
4. Crime
5. Twist
There are 5 basics parts to a good Humour story:
1. Hero (Protagonist)
2. Problem
3. Backstory
4. Time
5. Length

Use the appropriate elements to help you complete your analysis sheet for the short story genre you have
chosen. That is due by the end of next class.
End of Lesson

PROJECT TIME

You are now going to become a short story author! You will be writing 3 drafts, two on paper and one
final copy typed up. You will be marked on the rubric in this workbook.
Your story should have evidence of the following:
Writing Process Did you take the time to make the story the best you could?
Introduction Did you grab the readers attention right away?
Organization Does your story make sense? Do you show evidence of the genre elements?
Problem/Conflict Does it pull the reader in?
Solution/Resolution Does your ending make sense for the story?
Creativity Are you showing some creativity or are you recycling another story?
Word Choice Are you showing your ability to create interesting and creative writing?

Remember to take your time and fill out your Short Story Breakdown form. This will greatly help you
if you get stuck in the writing process because you can always go back and use it as a road map to
finishing your story.
Good luck writers!
THE 3 PART WRITING PROCESS
First Draft Just write baby! Dont worry about spelling; just get the story down on paper. Make it a
bit longer than you thought it might have been so you can edit it down to something great.
Second Draft After youve peer edited, go back and make any corrections you need to do and get
the story in its best possible form.
Final Draft Type up the story and make sure it reads the way you want. This is your last chance
before someone else sees it, so take your time to proofread it.
Follow these steps for success in all of your writing endeavours.

Short Story Break Down

What will be the main theme of the story? Give detail
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What will be the setting of your story, give details of time, place, year, location ect.
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What is the conflict of your story and the three points of rising action that lead to the climax?
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What will be the Climax of your story?

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How will you allow the action to fall/ to calm down?

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How will you resolve your story?

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Story Writing : Grade 7 Short Story (1-2 Pages)

Teacher Name: ____________________________________
Student Name:

________________________________________

CATEGORY
Writing Process

4
Student devotes a lot
of time and effort to
the writing process
(prewriting, drafting,
reviewing, and
editing). Works hard
to make the story
wonderful.

3
Student devotes
sufficient time and
effort to the writing
process (prewriting,
drafting, reviewing,
and editing). Works
and gets the job done.

2
Student devotes some
time and effort to the
writing process but
was not very
thorough. Does
enough to get by.

1
Student devotes little
time and effort to the
writing process.
Doesn't seem to care.

0
Student devotes no time
and effort to the writing
process. Doesn't seem
to care.

Introduction

First paragraph has a

strong"grabber" or
catchy beginning.

First paragraph has a

"grabber".

First paragraph has a

weak "grabber".

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.

A catchy beginning
was attempted but
was confusing rather
than catchy.
Ideas and scenes
seem to be randomly
arranged.

No attempt was made

to catch the reader's
attention in the first
paragraph.
No organization is
present

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 It is not clear what

reader to understand problem the main
the problem the main characters face.
characters face but it
is not clear why it is a
problem.

No real conflict is
present

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.

The solution to the

No solution is attempted
character's problem is or it is impossible to
a very hard to
understand.
understand.

Creativity

The story contains

many creative details
and/or descriptions
that contribute to the
reader's enjoyment.
The author has really
used their
imagination.

The story contains a

few creative details
and/or descriptions
that contribute to the
readers enjoyment.
The author has used
their imagination.

The story contains a

few creative details
and/or descriptions,
but they distract from
the story. The author
has tried to use their
imagination.

The story contains

almost no creative
details and/or
descriptions, but they
distract from the
story. The author has
tried to use their
imagination.

There is little evidence

of creativity in the story.
The author does not
seem to have used
much imagination.

Word Choice

Writer uses vivid

words and phrases
that linger or draw
pictures in the
reader's mind, and
the choice and
placement of the
words seems
accurate, natural and
not forced.

Writer uses vivid

words and phrases
that linger or draw
pictures in the
reader's mind, but
occasionally the
words are used
inaccurately or seem
overdone.

Writer uses words

that communicate
clearly, but the
writing lacks variety,
punch or flair.

Writer uses a limited Writer uses a limited

vocabulary that does vocabulary and the story
not communicate
is uninteresting
strongly or capture
the reader's interest.
Jargon or cliches may
be present and
detract from the
meaning.