STEM MIDDLE @BALDWIN ROAD

at most 3 pages)

The Problema picture is worth a million words (or

The processes for Inquiry Thinking

mirrors:
The writing process
"It all must start with an inspired,
spontaneous idea."
Raymond Loewy, Father of Industrial

Design Challenge:

A picture is worth a million words (or a t most 3 pages)

Begin by looking at the provided pieces of art from the ancient world and select that appeals
to you. Base you decision purely on the image that you are most drawn to. Study this image.
Think about the feelings it provokes in you and what the artist is trying to say.
Use this piece of art to inspire your narrative story. You have complete creative freedom in
this story, but use the art as an inspiration.
As you begin you narrative essay, consider the point of view you will hold, what feelings you
wish to convey with your words, describe the events that led up to the image and that
followed.

STEM MIDDLE @BALDWIN ROAD

Imagine- Brainstorming

1) Choosing a story idea

A good story entertains the reader with lifelike characters in a vivid setting, and
in some way it resolves a conflict, or problem. Write a four-page story that
presents characters who encounter and solve a problem.
Prod your brain by freewriting responses to questions like these:
Of all the people youve known, who was the most unusual? The funniest? The most
serious?
What would the setting be? What would happen there?
What interesting experiences have you had? How could these relate to the characters
in the artwork you have chosen?
Is there an adventure you would like to have?

2) Brainstorming

Drafting Designn - Pla

Try writing down at least 10 characters, 10 settings and 10 problems on a

separate slip of paper. For each story element, use a different colored-paper.
Then mix and match the characters, settings, and problems until you come up
with an interesting combination for a story.

6) Getting started

Story Plan
My
main
character
is
____________,
who _____________.
This
If you can come up with a good opening now,
thats great, but
if you cant, dont
character
worry. Just start writing. You dont need to think of everything all at once! Pick an

wants ________, but __________________. Eventually,

_______________________. and in the end _______________________.

STEM MIDDLE @BALDWIN ROAD

9) Evaluating and Revising
Use this charter to help you evaluate and revise the content and organization
of your story.
Then have a peer use this to help give you suggestions for ways to revise the content
and organization of your story.

Improveevaluating and revising

Story: content and Organization Guidelines

Evaluation Questions
Does the story have an
interesting plot with an
effective beginning, a
conflict, complications,
a suspenseful climax,
and a clear resolution?
Is the point of view
consistent throughout
the story?

Are the characters

complex and realistic?

Tips
Place a check mark
next to each of the
following elements:
beginning, conflict,
complications, climax,
and resolution.
Identify pronouns (I,
he, or she) that
identify the point of
view. Label the
storys point of view;
then circle any
information not given
from that point of
view.
Underline specific
details about each of
the characters.

Does the story have a

definite setting?

Highlight the details

of the setting.

Is the story well

organized and coherent?
Does the writing use

Number the major

events in the story.
Put a star next to

Revision Techniques
Add or elaborate on
elements of the plot as
necessary. Delete any
information that ruins the
suspense.
If any sentences are
circled, delete them. If
necessary, add the same
information told from the
narrators point of view.

If necessary, add details

about a characters
appearance, personality, or
background. Add dialogue
and narrative actions that
reveal more about a
character.
If there are few highlighted
words, elaborate on the
setting by adding
descriptive details.
Rearrange any events
that are out of order. If
there are few or no stars,

ar Sh

STEM MIDDLE @BALDWIN ROAD

Evaluation rubric
Evaluation
Guidelines
Beginning
introduces
characters,
well-defined
setting point
of view and
conflict.
All events
build to a
suspenseful
climax.

Point of view
(first or third
person) is
consistent
throughout
story.
Precise words
describe
characters and
setting.

Beginning
clearly
introduces
characters, welldefined setting,
point of view
and conflict.

Beginning
merely names
characters and
hints at setting,
point of view,
and conflict.

Beginning does
not introduce
any of the main
elements.

Several events
build to a
climax, but
earlier events
give away the
climax or lead to
a weak climax.

Plot wanders
and is unclear or
haphazard. No
climax is
apparent.

Point of view is
consistent
throughout the
story.

Beginning
vaguely
introduces
characters,
setting,
characters, point
of view and
conflict.
Most events
build to a
suspenseful
climax, but one
or more events
are not clearly
connected to the
plot.
Point of view is
consistent in
most sections of
the story.

Point of view
shifts
periodically for
no apparent
reason.

Point of view is
inconsistent and
confusing
throughout.

Precise words
always describe
characters and
setting

Precise words
usually describe
characters and
setting.

Precise words
are used only
occasionally to
describe
characters and
setting.

The story suffers

from a lack of
precise words.

All events
clearly and
effectively build
to a suspenseful
climax.