Humanities 8 Short Story Project

Short Story Project

This project is designed for you to synthesise what you know about the short story elements that we have just finished learning about. This project has many different parts, so please pay attention to what you need to do and read all the instructions. If you are uncertain as to what you need to do, please ask!
You will be asked to read three stories. You must include each of these three stories throughout this project. You cannot use just one story for the entire project.

The three stories you will be reading are:
 “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
 “The Dog of Pompeii" by Louis Untermeyer
 “Appointment at Noon” by Eric Frank Russell

PART A – READING RESONSE JOURNAL (30 marks)

After reading each story you will create a reading response journal entry. Your reading response journal will be at least one page in length (hand written) and each will be worth 10 marks. Choose three of the following questions to comment on in your reading response journal. You must choose different questions for each journal entry.
 What has happened before the story began?
 What’s going on as the story begins?
 Who is telling the story?
 What is the setting of the story? Is the setting important to the story or could the story be happening elsewhere?
 What is the initial first problem faced by the character?
 How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?
 Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown?
 Describe new characters that are introduced. What is their purpose?
 What is the climax of the story?
 How is the conflict resolved?
 What message did you get from the story?
 Is the story believable?

PART B – FOCUS ASSIGNMENTS (80 marks)

There are 5 assignments to complete once you have read your stories. You are able to choose which assignments appeal to you and your strengths. I do encourage you, however, to take a risk and choose something that might be out of your comfort zone. Please remember, that you must do at least one focus assignment on each story, you cannot use just one story for all of your assignments.



Here are the focus assignments:

FOCUS ASSIGNMENTS
Column A (15 marks each)	Column B (15 marks each)	Column C (20 marks)
You must choose TWO assignments from this column	You must choose TWO assignments from this column	You must choose ONE assignment from this column
Write a letter from one character to another. Ensure it is in a proper letter format and uses elements of the plotline as the main part of the letter.  Are there questions to be asked? Any opinions to be expressed?  1 page minimum.	Create a wanted poster for one of the characters in the story.  Include a drawing, a physical description, a list of the characters crimes, and other important information.  Must take up an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.	Complete each of these 8 ideas with material from the story.  This story made me wish that...., realise that...., decide that...., wonder about...., see that...., believe that...., feel that...., and hope that.... . (200 word minimum)
Create an obituary for a character in the story.  Include a picture, and details of that person’s life that tell us what kind of person they were, some of the things they did, who will miss them and a charity that they would like donations to be made to. Must take up an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.	Create a book cube.  Cover a square box with paper.  On each of the four sides illustrate the following: important characters, setting, conflict, and resolution.  Use the top square to write the story title and author.	Re-create the plot of the story in scrapbook form.  You can draw or use pictures from magazines for the characters and places in the story.  You must use captions to tell the story.  I encourage you to use your creativity.
Draw a colour map of where a major part of the story takes place.  Label the major landmarks and points of interest.  Don’t forget the title, legend and scale of the map!  Must take up an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.	Write three diary entries made by one of the main characters.  Include the innermost thoughts and feelings of the character.  Describe the conflict and the setting of the story.	Write a piece in which you discuss your personal connection or response to one of the stories that you read.  Why was it important to you?  200 words minimum.
Explain how you would make this story into a movie.  Who would play the main characters? Where would you film it?  You must explain all of your choices.  1 page minimum.	Describe an experience that you’ve had that was like the experience of a character in the story.   How was the reaction of the character different or the same as your reaction?  1 page minimum.	Write an alternate or better ending to the story.  200 words minimum.

MARKING FOCUS ASSIGNMENTS
A1 – LETTER Story title and author, writer identified, story revealed, written in first person, mechanics (spelling and grammar), physical construction, appropriate letter format.	B1 – WANTED POSTER Story title and author, wanted poster format and appearance, drawing of fugitive, physical description, crimes list, mechanics (grammar and spelling)	C1 – IDEAS Story title and author, mechanics (grammar, spelling), physical construction, phrase completion “this book made me....”, why I would or would not read another story by this author.
A2 – OBITUARY Story title and author, written in 3rd person, Deceased identified, age, where they lived, where and when they died, where they were born, story revealed, survived/predeceased by, funeral arrangements, donations, mechanics (grammar, spelling), physical construction.	B2 – BOOK CUBE Story title and author, important characters, setting, conflict, resolution, physical construction, mechanics (grammar and spelling) creativity, colourful.	C2 – SCRAPBOOK Story title and author, mechanics (grammar and spelling), physical construction, 5 elements of plot, colourful, creative.
A3 – MAP Story title and author, illustrations with captions, physical construction, mechanics (grammar, spelling) legend, presentation (colour, neatness)	B3 – DIARY Story title and author, writer identified, written in first person, story revealed, mechanics (grammar and spelling), physical construction, three entries.	C3 – PERSONAL CONNECTION Story title and author, mechanics (grammar and spelling), physical construction, clearly written, story revealed.
A4 – MOVIE Story title and author, details and explanations are clearly written, mechanics (grammar and spelling), physical construction, sound ideas.	B4 – EXPERIENCE Story title and author, details and explanations are clearly written, mechanics (grammar and spelling), sound ideas.	C4 – ALTERNATE ENDING Story title and author, mechanics (grammar and spelling) physical construction, clearly written, clear connection to the story,