★ CLICK HERE to see the instructions for your first creative project.
WRITE A SHORT 500-to-600 WORD SEQUEL TO THE FIRST PART OF "BROTHER AND SISTER." YOUR STORY MUST FOLLOW CLOSELY THE 6 STEPS OF A TRADITIONAL PLOT SEQUENCE AND FLOW LOGICALLY FROM OUR CLASS DISCUSSION OF THE FIRST PART OF THE STORY.
1) It is crucial that you fill out the PLAN (file HERE!) and determine the main conflict, fake resolution, final resolution and thematic point of your story before writing it.
The main conflict of your story should consist of:
(A) a specific human need that you personally can relate to
vs.
(B) a common and relatable obstacle preventing this need from being satisfied
vs.
(B) a common and relatable obstacle preventing this need from being satisfied
Both A and B must be UNIVERSAL concepts many readers can relate to; in other words, A and B cannot refer directly to specific characters.
The conflict between A and B should emerge very clearly from the triggering event. The triggering event makes your main character aware of the impossibility of satisfying a specific human need (A) because of the presence of a universal obstacle (B).
Your entire story develops as the main character - the one we agreed in class represented human needs - attempts to resolve this one conflict by getting rid of A, getting rid of B or making them equal (A =B).
As a rule, the fake resolution represents a failed or not ideal attempt to resolve the conflict (what readers should NOT do), and the final resolution represents the successful attempt (what readers should do).
The main message (thematic idea) of your story should emerge from the final resolution. This message should clearly relate to the two sides of your conflict: A and B.
2) Identify, on your final copy, the following 6 parts with sub-titles & numbers (#1 to 6). Failure to do so may result in a failing grade as your teacher may not be able to evaluate your understanding of the basic elements of plot. Make sure to clearly separate those various parts with a blank line.
1 Exposition
- the setting (where the action takes place)
- the one main character
- the initial situation: this initial HAPPY situation does not yet include the main conflict of the story; that is, the main characters accept this initial situation without trying to improve it.
- the triggering event causes the main conflict (A vs. B) to arise and makes the current situation unacceptable to the main character
- if you prefer, you may present two triggering events in rapid succession, one that makes the protagonist feel a new need (A) and another that makes them realize they cannot satisfy this need due to an obstacle (B)
- if you prefer, you may present two triggering events in rapid succession, one that makes the protagonist feel a new need (A) and another that makes them realize they cannot satisfy this need due to an obstacle (B)
3 Fake/temporary resolution
- the fake resolution represents the first (failed) attempt to resolve the conflict
- make sure to present the temporary resolution in a clear/obvious manner; your reader must know exactly what happens to A & B: A disappears, B disappears, or a balance is achieved between A & B
4 Climax
- the climax represents a terribly sad situation where the protagonist is thoroughly failing to resolve the conflict
5 Event that triggers the final resolution
- make sure to present the final resolution in a clear/obvious manner; your reader must know exactly what happens to A & B: A disappears, B disappears, or a balance is achieved between A & B
- your final resolution must differ from your temporary resolution; for instance, if the temporary resolution is "getting rid of A," your final resolution must either be "getting rid of B" or "A=B."
6 Final situation
- this is a general description of the situation following the resolution
3) IMPORTANT NOTES:
- There is no obligation to include dialogue; focus on the action, on what happens, and where.
- Fairytales are written as a sequence of very short (1 to 3 sentences) paragraphs.
- Use consistent verb tenses; most stories are told in the simple past.
- Fully edit your text before submission; for instance, get rid of all spelling and punctuation errors.
4) FORMAT OF FINAL COPY: MLA
- typed & double spaced
- no cover page (see the Essay Writing website)
- with page numbers (see the Essay Writing website)
- include word-count at the end of your story (500 - 600)
🤖 5) AI-ASSISTANCE
IMPORTANT: The permitted writing prompts allow you to modify individual words, one word at a time, for instance, by fixing a punctuation error or changing a word. You cannot rewrite a sentence based on a suggestion by the AI tool.
- the only permitted prompts are available on Moodle in AI Support
- every single change made to your assignment based on an AI suggestion must be clearly indicated by inserting a comment in the margins
- every single change made to your assignment based on an AI suggestion must be clearly indicated by inserting a comment in the margins
- when using AI to edit your writing, keep your voice, style, and tone consistent throughout the text
- use words you know without the use of a dictionary and sentence structures you would normally use to communicate.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO READING YOUR STORY!
