Communication

ASSIGNMENT 8: PROJECT - Producing a Short Story

Learning Target (Curricular Competencies):

  • Use writing and design processes to plan, develop, and create engaging and meaningful texts for a variety of purposes and audiences
  • Recognize and appreciate how different forms, formats, structures, and features of texts enhance and shape meaning and impact
  • Use the conventions of Canadian spelling, grammar, and punctuation proficiently and as appropriate to the context

Task:

For this project, develop a short story documentary like the sample you just watched in the previous lesson. However, you can present your story in written format or visual format.

Your documentary should tell a story you care about, inspire change, encourage a call to action. Start with a subject that excites you and go from there in your plot development. Here is Michael Moore's 13 Rules for Making Documentary Films if you need a place to get started and generate ideas.

There are 3 choices here:

  1. Written Short Story
  2. Graphic Novel
  3. Movie

There is an explanation for each of these options.  Just choose ONE!  Make sure you read over the guidelines for each of the options and review the exemplary criteria so you know what is expected for this project.  Be sure to include your planning.

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective.  Student demonstrates superior story writing skills.  Plot is efficiently developed around a relatively mature conflict with a clear climax.  There is an identifiable and logical resolution to the story.  There is appropriate pacing and a strong narrative voice with a consistent point of view.  There is a clear setting and consistent and developed characterization.  Story elements demonstrate complex, engaging ideas, language, and techniques.

Evidence of Planning:  Exemplary use of writing and design processes to plan, develop, and create engaging and meaningful texts for a variety of purposes and audiences.  There is clear evidence of planning in the form of rough notes, outline, story map, or storyboard.

Overall Presentation: Product uses features of the genre and format in a mature, efficient manner to aid in the overall purpose of enhancing meaning and artistry.  Presentation is original and unique.  Student demonstrates exemplary understanding of text features, structure, and format to communicate purpose.  The story format creates an impact, with a sense of vitality, economy, and finesse.    

Written Expression:  Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.