Name:
Mrs. Swalec & Mrs. Munzner
Language arts 6 - ___
Date: _________________

Writing a Fantasy Story

 In past years, we have asked our students to spin a tale about what it would be like to encounter a dragon.  Most students found this to be a very enjoyable assignment due to the fact that they were able to let their creative juices flow!  Several of the finished products were some of the most well-written, imaginative stories we have ever received from our students.  This year we have decided to offer a second option.  You may choose to write an encounter with a dragon story, or you may choose your own topic for your fantasy story.   The due date for the final copy will not be for a few weeks because we want you to be able to have time to develop a terrific plot and enjoy being creative. We will follow the timeline below. You must complete a plot diagram and a rough draft for your story. Happy writing!

Prompt #1: Imagine yourself or an imaginary character encountering a dragon.  Does a vivid picture of a dragon immediately come to mind?  What does your dragon look like?  How does it behave?  Where does it live?  In a minimum of three well written paragraphs, spin a tale about an encounter with a dragon.  Use vivid verbs and colorful adjectives so that your reader can picture your dragon. Be sure to meet the requirements listed on the back of this handout.

Prompt #2:  Let your creative juices run wild by writing a fantasy story in which you choose the topic.  Spin a tale that hooks your reader and whisks them off to a world that only exists in the imagination.  You must write a  minimum of three paragraphs.  Use vivid verbs and colorful adjectives so that your reader can picture your fantasy world and characters.  Be sure to meet the requirements listed on the back of this handout.

Timeline:

Due Tuesday, October 18th:
- the completed “Parts of a Story” organizer

Extra Help Session: Tuesday, October 18th: Are you having trouble imagining your dragon or your fantasy world, or do you just want to get some serious writing done today?  Either way, I will be available after school to help you in any way I can.  Just have a parent/guardian send a note saying that you have permission to stay.  You will need to get picked up at 3:45.

Due Wednesday, October 19th:
- the completed plot diagram outlining the major events in your story

Due Thursday, October 20th
- the completed “Beginning the Story”  and “Plot Action #1 handwritten organizers

Due Friday, October 21st
- the completed handwritten Plot Action #2, Plot Action #3” organizers *

*Note: For some of you this might mean three separate paragraphs, for others these three “action” sheets might be combined into one paragraph.

Due Monday, October 24th
- the handwritten “Conclusion” organizer
 
(We will be typing these stories in school on Tuesday.  Bring your flash drive!)

Due Wednesday, October 26th
A typed draft of your completed story is due following all format rules by the end of class.  You will have a peer edit your draft and will be able to make corrections on Thursday. Be sure you have met the requirements listed on page 4 of this handout. 

The final copy is due Wednesday, November 2, 2011.  Remember that you must turn in all organizers, your plot diagram, and rough drafts with your final copy!

Specific requirements for your fantasy story:

1. You must incorporate at least five of the vocabulary words from “Dragon, Dragon” into your story.  These words include lair, flabbergasted, plagued, ravaged, tyrant, craned, and reflecting.  You can use any form/tense of the word.

2. You cannot use "elementary school" words including: big, small, happy, sad, mad, fun, good, stuff, thing, nice, got, go/went, etc.  Avoid slang words including awesome and cool. 

3. You cannot begin any sentences with conjunctions such as and, but, or, so, because…I also do not want to see also at the beginning of a sentence.

4. You must include figurative language in at least two places.  For example, you have included similes, metaphors, alliteration, etc in your writing.

5. None of your concluding sentences can begin with this, that, these or those.  These are “Porky Pig” endings.

6. You cannot use dialogue in your story.  Whatever needs to be said by your characters can be done in the third person.  For example, The brave knight asked the dragon where he lived, and he explained that his secret lair was high in the hills beyond the village.

7. Be sure you have followed all format rules including a proper heading, 1.5 or double spacing, assignment name (Fantasy Story) and a creative title that is neither underlined nor in quotes.

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Fantasy Prompts