31 Aug Write a creative short story about the end of the world in the genre of speculative fiction
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Brainstorm your apocalypse, or end of the world
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Maybe science fiction (i.e., time travel mishaps, war, artificial intelligence)
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Maybe disease or natural disaster
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May not use a deity or supernatural being, although aliens
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Brainstorm the important lesson from the apocalypse
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How might it have been avoided?
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Was the issue too much technology, or government oversight, or taking care of the environment?
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Brainstorm your plot
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Write an outline of the story
Now it is time to start thinking about your Unit 1 Project.
You will be writing a creative short story in the genre of speculative fiction. Your plot will center on two characters facing an apocalypse.
What to Write
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Introduction
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Omniscient; written in italics.
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Include backstory. This should function as a theme song or an overarching narrating voice might on a science fiction film or television show. Think of the opening crawl before a Star Wars film.
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Include:
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What caused the end of the world
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What happened in the wake of the apocalypse
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Generally, what sort of people survived and how
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How long it has been since the apocalypse when your story begins
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Body Paragraphs
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Begin in medias res. The first sentence of your story must be the introduction of the problem facing your characters.
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Plot must include an inciting moment, three complications (rising action) that build on one another, a climax, and a resolution.
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Plot must begin, develop, and resolve in no more than one day.
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The main focus of your story will be on characterization and developing the identity of your characters. Your story will focus on two characters only. Within your plot, neither character can die.
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Your two characters will experience different effects on their identity as they face the trials of the apocalypse. One of your characters will grow and one of your characters will experience a loss or destruction of their identity over the plot.
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Use all types of characterization: character’s appearance, dialogue, thoughts, actions, and how other people react to them.
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Conclusion
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Reflect on your story
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Which character grew?
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Which character lost their identity?
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How does this story compare to other stories from this unit?
Length
1000 – 1700 words
Remember To
Check your grammar and spelling thoroughly (10% of your grade).
