- Background: You have now read many tales. We ought to love what is beautiful, good, and true. Yet the world is so often full dark challenges to what is noble and right. The legends of old often explored this in song and story, perhaps as a kind of imaginative practice for the young. In this assignment, we will seek to bless a young girl or boy with a nicely woven tale paired with a related gift.
- Prompt: Write a mighty tale of nobility, courage, and grace. Your story must
- be full of adventure,
- teach something noble,
- and include references to the physical gift (such as a ball or sword) that you will give this child.
- In general, your work will be descriptive. Please read this overview of the basics from Purdue University on descriptive writing.
- Outcome
- Choose a child (or person) to bless.
- Think of a fitting gift (purchased or made by you).
- Write your adventure. Make it look old and cool.
- Make a map. Make it look old and cool.
- Hide the gift during Christmas break.
- Present the legend and map to the child.
- When you return from break, tell us all about it! (Extra credit if you document the event)
- Examples
- Holly Minarik
- Sierra Myer
- Beautiful Pencil Work
Format
Start it early, and write something you are proud of. Work to make it wise in its theme, rich in its descriptive imagery, and clever in its execution. Consider all the tools of the writing craft that we have examined in other stories.
How can I get started?
- Typed MLA (12 point, Times New Roman, proper margins, etc.)
- One change to MLA: Single space poetry (double space prose as usual)
- Or handwritten in pen for certain cases only (maps, letters, etc.)
- All poetry must be single spaced and punctuated according to modern MLA usage.
- All prose must be double spaced and punctuated according to modern MLA usage.
- Submit your work to Turnitin.com and hard copy please.
- Two or more pages (double spaced, at least 850 words)
- Less than 2,100 words (fewer than five pages)
- Your story must include all the steps of Plot and feature at least one literary device (Indirect Characterization, symbol, allegory, POV, allusion, anagnorisis, conflict, etc...)
- Example Contest Winner from Bookshop Santa Cruz: "Among the Trees" by Breanna Eddy
- Rough Draft Due Monday 12/09 (midnight, submitted to turnitin.com)
- Peer Edit Monday 12/9
- Final Draft Due Wednesday 12/11
- If you are short of the minimum, you will earn no more than a D. When completed, the story should be free of typos and grammatical and spelling errors. In general, 2 errors or fewer on any page =A-, 3-5 errors on any page=B-, and 6 or more errors on any page =C- or lower. Failing to adhere to the themes or neglecting to meet any of the other standards on this handout will result in a significantly lower grade. Fragments and run-On sentences are major deductions.
- You may not include pieces written for other classes (past, present, or future) or for other assignments in this class. You will fail this assignment if you do so.
Start it early, and write something you are proud of. Work to make it wise in its theme, rich in its descriptive imagery, and clever in its execution. Consider all the tools of the writing craft that we have examined in other stories.
How can I get started?
- Identify a protagonist; think of people you actually know. Change them up a wee bit.
- Identify an antagonist (character, internal conflict, natural force, or other combination).
- How will you generate tension between the protagonist and the antagonist (or external conflict)?
- Share ideas.
- Work in class.
