Fiction Narration

Short Story

A brief work of fiction that presents characters in a conflict that is first developed and then resolved.

Science Fiction: focus on real or imagined developments in science and technology and their effects on the way people think and live. Space travel, robots, and life in the future are popular topics.

Short Story

An effective and imaginative short story has these characteristics: A specific, believable setting created through the use of details. A clear, engaging plot, or storyline. A well-developed conflict, or problem, and resolution, or outcome. One or more interesting and believable characters. A range of literary strategies and devices to enhance the plot or develop the

story. A consistent point of view, or perspective from when the story is told. Effective sentence structure and correct spelling, grammar, and usage.

Short Story Cont

An effective science fiction story also includes: A setting that features more advanced technical abilities and scientific

knowledge than existed when the story was written.

An action-packed plot that centers on a conflict between people’s needs and technology. Some sci-fi stories feature a conflict between people from Earth and fictional aliens.

A theme about an aspect of the relationship between humans and science.

Other Forms of Short Stories

Fantasy stories: stretch the imagination and take readers to unreal worlds. Animals may talk, people may fly, or characters may have superhuman powers.

Historical fiction: tells about imaginary people living in real places and times in history. The main characters are fictional people who know and interact with famous people in history and participate in important historical events.

Mystery stories: focus on unexplained or strange events that one of the characters tries to solve.

Other Forms of Short Stories

Myths and legends: traditional stories that different cultures have told to explain natural events, human nature, or the origins of things. Often include gods and goddesses from ancient times and heroes who do superhuman things.

Realistic fiction: portrays invented characters and events in everyday life that most readers would find familiar.

Tall tales: tell about larger-than-life characters in realistic settings. The characters perform acts of strength, bravery, or silliness. The main character often solves a problem or reaches a goal by doing something wild or fantastic.

Mentor Text Reading/Discussion

Read aloud the story Homelanding on page 94. Be ready to discuss.

Student Model Read/Discussion

Read the story on page 98 Dance on Air independently. On a piece of paper answer the following questions:

From what point of view is the story told? How do you know? Where do you think the story is set? Why do you think so? Describe the characters. How does the author depict them? How did the author help sustain interest? What sensory details were used? How did the author set the tone?

Prewriting

Topics: Future Trip Time Traveler Superpower People

Prewriting: Narrow Your Topic/Audience

If the topic for your science fiction story is too broad, you may end up with a wandering story line that is hard for your readers to follow.

Using the topic narrow sheet complete the following: Write the main topic of your science fiction story in the top box. Move down the chart, narrowing your topic to help focus your plot. Your last box should hold the details that will be your story’s focus Example on page 101

Prewriting: Narrow Your Topic/Audience

On the bottom of your topic narrow sheet answer the following questions: Who are my audiences? What are their interests? What kinds of story lines will my audiences find engaging? What background information will my audiences need to understand my

story? Why am I writing the story? To surprise my audience? To make them laugh?

Think? Something else? What conflict and resolution will best develop the plot? What literary strategies and devices can I use to enhance the story?

Plan Your Piece

Identify your premise: Identify the controlling idea or unique feature of the science fiction world of

your story. You will include details that help build and reinforce this premise.

Organize your story: Plan a well-developed conflict and resolution. Specific setting Interesting, believable characters

Plan Your Piece/Gather Details Using sensory details:

Sight: the shiny glass countertops in the chemistry lab Sound: Lydia’s calm, soft voice Taste: Gus chews sweet-and-salty granola Smell: the aroma of the chemicals in the experiment Touch: the tight pinch of the lab goggles

Using literary strategies and devices: Dialogue: “Sam, where are you?” Suspense: It had been two hours since Gus started puzzling out the solution. Were his friends

doomed to a life as the Invisible Duo? Interesting Comparisons: Sam was feeling desperate, as though he were underwater and

running out of oxygen.

Activity: Using a Graphic Organizer

Directions:1. Map our your plot events for your story on the graphic organizer.2. Add the following to your graphic organizer:

1. Add vivid sensory details to bring your story to life.2. Include literary strategies and devices that will enhance your plot, such as

dialogue, suspense, and interesting comparisons.

Drafting: Introduction Outline

I. Introduction (Beginning)a. Settingb. Characters

a. One - describeb. Two - describec. Three - describe

c. Conflict

Drafting: Introduction Paragraph

Start drafting your beginning with the opening of your science fiction story.

Describe the setting and create interesting, believable characters. Include sensory details that will engage your readers and draw them

into the story. Continue by hinting at the conflict, or problem, to come.

Activity: Drafting Introduction The following steps should all be typed on one word document and should be

labelled! Directions:

Step 1: Outline your introduction using the guide on page 104 or on slide 15 of notes.Step 2: Write your introduction in paragraph form. Look at slide 16 for help.(Label this step as rough draft)Step 3: Have 5 different people peer review your introduction paragraph.Step 4: Use the 5 peer review sheets to help make changes to your introduction paragraph.Step 5: Use the feedback to write your final draft of your introduction. (Label this step as final draft)Step 6: If final writing is a graphic novel. Draw your introduction pictures.

Once you have completed steps 1-5 print your outline and the rough/final drafts of your introduction. Staple your 5 peer review sheets behind the printed document and hand in. Please make sure your name is on the assignment. Also, hand in your topic narrowing activity and graphic organizer. This ALL must be handed in by the end of the period.

Drafting: Body Outline

I. Rising Action (Events = chronological order, no minimum or maximum, should be written in complete sentences)a. Event 1b. Event 2c. Event 3

II. Climax (Events = chronological order, no minimum or maximum, should be written in complete sentences)a. Event 1b. Event 2c. Event 3

III. Falling Action (Events = chronological order, no minimum or maximum, should be written in complete sentences)a. Event 1b. Event 2c. Event 3

Drafting: Body Paragraph

Create an engaging story line by building a well-developed conflict that builds suspense.

Use vivid sensory details and a range of literary strategies and devices, such as dialogue, to help readers experience what the characters experience and to enhance the plot

Use rhetorical devices, such as analogies and rhetorical questions, to convey meaning to your audience. Well-placed rhetorical devices will also make your writing livelier and more interesting.

Keep the action in the middle of your story moving at a good pace and focused on the conflict. Describe events in time order, building to the climax

Activity: Drafting Body

The following steps should all be typed and should be labelled! Directions: Step 1: Outline your body using the guide on page 104 or on slide 18 of notes.Step 2: Write your body in paragraph form. Look at slide 19 for help. (Label this step as rough draft)Step 3: Have 5 different people peer review your body paragraphs.Step 4: Use the 5 peer review sheets to help make changes to your body paragraphs.Step 5: Use the feedback to write your final draft of your body. (Label this step as final draft)Step 6: If final writing is a graphic novel. Draw your body pictures.

Once you have completed steps 1-5 print your outline and the rough/final drafts of your body. Staple your 5 peer review sheets behind the printed document and hand in. Please make sure your name is on the assignment.

Drafting: Resolution Outline

I. ResolutionI. ResolutionII. The results of the characters action.

Drafting: Resolution Paragraph

End your story by writing a well-developed resolution. Describe what happens after the main character solves the problem. Tell readers a lasting result of the character’s actions.

Activity: Drafting Resolution

The following steps should all be typed and should be labelled! Directions: Step 1: Outline your resolution using the guide on page 104 or on slide 21 of notes.Step 2: Write your body in paragraph form. Look at slide 22 for help. (Label this step as rough draft)Step 3: Have 5 different people peer review your resolution.Step 4: Use the 5 peer review sheets to help make changes to your resolution.Step 5: Use the feedback to write your final draft of your resolution. (Label this step as final draft)Step 6: If final writing is a graphic novel. Draw your resolution pictures.

Once you have completed steps 1-5 print your outline and the rough/final drafts of your body. Staple your 5 peer review sheets behind the printed document and hand in. Please make sure your name is on the assignment.

Final OutlineI. Introduction (Beginning)

a. Settingb. Characters

a. One - describeb. Two - describec. Three - describe

c. ConflictII. Rising Action (Events = chronological order, no minimum or maximum, should be written in complete sentences)

a. Event 1b. Event 2c. Event 3

III. Climax (Events = chronological order, no minimum or maximum, should be written in complete sentences)a. Event 1b. Event 2c. Event 3

IV. Falling Action (Events = chronological order, no minimum or maximum, should be written in complete sentences)a. Event 1b. Event 2c. Event 3

V. Resolutiona. Resolutionb. The results of the characters action.