Short Story Project

1. Short Story Project Choose one of the short stories read during this unit. Next, choose one project (there are five options) that you will complete. You will share your project with the class.

2. Option 1: Film an Advertisement of your Story • If you choose this option, you will film an advertisement for your short story. Use the checklist to help you successfully complete this assignment: • _____1. Write the Script. Make a list of the story’s most important events. From the list begin to write a script. Your advertisement should be about a minute in length. Choose important elements from the story that you would highlight and market. • _____2. Shoot the Film. Film the advertisement using a digital camera. • _____3. Check the Rubric. Make sure that your project is complete and follows the rubric! • _____4. Be Ready to Present. Make sure you are able to post your advertisement. You can use Youtube or other video posting site. You will include your script and link to your video.

3. Option 2: Create a Playlist for your Short Story • If you choose this option, you will make a playlist of music for your selected short story. Think of it as the story’s soundtrack. Use the checklist below to help you successfully complete this assignment: • _____1. Pick the Songs. After reading the story, make a list of the story’s 5 most important events. From the list begin to think of songs that relate to what is happening during those events. Take into consideration the tone and the themes of the story. The songs you select can be about certain characters, situations, or events from the story. • _____2. Post your track listing. Choose at least 5 songs. Create a document that lists each track. Include the song title, the artist name, the reason why you chose the song (1 full paragraph per song), and the song lyrics. Use the example from Romeo andJuliet (below) as a guide. • _____3. Make an Album Cover. Find a picture that corresponds with your soundtrack. Make sure to include it at the beginning of your track listing document.

4. Example • Track 3 • Song: Hey there Delilah • Artist: Plain White T’s • I chose this song because it’s about missing someone you love. When Romeo is banished from Verona, he is forced to separate from Juliet. He is in utter agony because he misses Juliet so much. I can imagine this song playing in the background as Romeo waits for a letter from Juliet. In the song the singer talks about the sadness of being apart from Delilah and how he can’t wait for the future when they will be reunited. Romeo, too, cannot wait until he gets to see Juliet again. • Hey there Delilah • What's it like in New York City • I'm a thousand miles away • But girl tonight you look so pretty • Yes you do • Time Square cant shine as bright as you • I swear it's true • Hey there Delilah • Don't you worry about the distance • I'm right there if you get lonely • Give this song another listen • Close your eyes • Listen to my voice it's my disguise • I'm by your side…

5. Option 2: Create a Playlist for your Short Story • _____4. Check the Rubric. Make sure that your project is complete and follows the rubric! • _____5. Be Ready to Present. Make sure you have all elements and are ready to present.

6. Option 3: Draw a Storyboard or Comic Strip of your Short Story • If you choose this option, you will make a storyboard or comic strip of your short story. Think of how you might illustrate the book if you were hired as its illustrator. Use the checklist below to help you successfully complete this assignment: • _____1. Pick the Images. After reading the story, make a list of the story’s 10 most important events. From the list, begin to think of ways to visually depict those situations or events. Pay close attention to the descriptions that the author gives of characters and places, as your drawings must adequately represent the story. • _____2. Draw and Color. In chronological order, draw a storyboard or comic strip of your story’s major events. You can use a large sheet of paper and divide it into 10 squares or you can use 10 sheets of paper and create a storyboard booklet. You can use online images or go to http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/comic/ to assist in making your final product. • _____3. Add Text to Each Square. Each square of your storyboard should have a line of text from the story or a dialogue quote that relates to the images in the square. The text in every square should be cited with the correct page number. • _____4. Check the Rubric. Make sure that your project is complete and follows the rubric! • _____5. Be Ready to Present. Make sure you have everything to present and turn in. You can use a scanner to scan in images and/or the final product if needed.

7. Option 4: Create a PowerPoint of Your Short • If you choose this option, you will create a PowerPoint for your selected short story. Use the checklist below to help you successfully complete this assignment: • _____1. List major events and plot outline. After reading the short story, make a list of the story’s most important events, places, and people. Choose your color schemes and fonts wisely! • _____2. Upload 5 Pictures onto your PowerPoint. Post pictures that are relevant to the story or character. Make sure that all pictures are appropriate. You can use pictures and images that you take yourself or that you find on the internet. • _____3. Include Music (if possible) that is relevant to your story or character. • ______4. Post 3 Quotes. Post and explain 3 quotes from the text that you think are the most important. • _____5. Write a summary. In your own words, write a 2-3 paragraph summary of the story, discussing the most relevant events. • _____6. Check the Rubric. Make sure that your project is complete and follows the rubric! • _____7. Be Ready to Present. You will likely have two different documents to turn in: one PowerPoint document and one Word document for your summary.

8. Option 5: Create a Character FacebookPage • If you choose this option, you will create a mock Facebook page for a character from one of the stories read in this unit. You will create a document that simulates an actual Facebook page and NOT an actual Facebook page. Use the checklist below to help you successfully complete this assignment. • _____1. Collect information on Facebook Profiles. Remember, you cannot access Facebook at school, so you will need to complete this part at home. Jot down all of the information included on a Facebook profile. At minimum, you must include: • Character name • Birthday • Relationship status • Likes • Education/work • Photograph or personal drawing • Quotation – this should be a quote from the story • _____2. Add Wall Posts. Add at least 3 wall posts related to your story. These should include items tied to the plot and various elements of short stories.   • _____3. Add Friends. Add at least 2 friends to your mock page. These can be characters from the story, but make sure they make sense to the plot of the story. For example, would Mary in “Lamb to the Slaughter” “friend” her husband? Probably not. • _____4. Check the Rubric. Make sure that your project is complete and follows the rubric! • _____5. Be Ready to Present. Make sure you have everything to present and turn in to your teacher.

9. Short Story Project Rubric Total points: _____/24 possible points

10. Stories and Links • “Lamb to the Slaughter” – Roald Dahl • “The Lottery” – Shirley Jackson • “Where are you Going, Where Have you Been?” – Joyce Carol Oates • “A Good Man is Hard to Find” – Flannery O’Connor • http://www.classtools.net/fb/home/page