Short Story Project Outline and Rubric

Short Story Proposal
I want you to write a proposal for your short story project. In your proposal, I want you
to include the following on a separate sheet of paper (in point form) with all your
group-members' names on it:
1) Setting (must include: time, place, and atmosphere).
2) Protagonist (must include: name, age, gender, and three special traits).
3) Protagonist's goal.
4) Antagonist (the enemy or main opposing force standing in the way of the
character from achieving his/her goal). If the antagonist is another character,
you must include a name, age, gender, and three special traits.
5) Inciting Incident (when the conflict starts)
6) Rising Action (three events in your story that lead up to the climax).
7) Climax (the turning-point in the story when the audience will learn if the conflict
is to be resolved or remain unresolved and whether or not the character will
achieve his/her goal).
8) Falling Action (three events in your story that happen after the climax and lead
to your ending)
9) Ending: One of the following ending types:
1. Denouement: a completely resolved ending without any loose ends
(can be a happy ending or a tragic ending).
2. Chekhov's Gun: a surprise ending that is the result of a minor detail
that is introduced at the beginning of the story that suddenly
becomes important at the end.
3. Red Herring: a surprise ending that is the result of a misleading
clue that is introduced at the beginning of the story (and is
understood to be important) but ends up becoming unimportant at
the end of the story.
4. Ironic Twist: a surprise ending that is the result of the ignorance of
the protagonist (example: since the protagonist didn't know that the
bad guy he just shot was really his long lost brother, we didn't
know either so it was a surprise for everyone when that detail is
made known at the end).
Workload Assignments
Assign a group member to each of the following jobs. Each group member will
be responsible for writing at least one paragraph for each point that they are
assigned.
1) Group Member's Name: _________________________
a) Introduce Setting.
b) Introduce Protagonist
2) Group Member's Name:_______________________
a) Introduce Antagonist
b) Inciting Incident (introduce conflict).
a) Rising Action Event 1.
b) Rising Action Event 2.
a) Rising Action Event 3.
b) Climax.
a) Falling Action Event 1.
b) Falling Action Event 2.
a) Falling Action Event 3.
b) Ending.
Group Member #1:_______________________

Individual Mark:
3
Setting was introduced

descriptions that used at
least four out of the five
senses.

with descriptions
that used at least three out
of the five senses.

with descriptions that
used at least two out of
the five senses.

with a description that
only used one of the five
senses.
Protagonist was
introduced with at least
three important details
that are well-developed
and clearly contribute to
our understanding of the
character.
Protagonist was
two important details.
character.
Protagonist was
one important detail.
character.
Protagonist introduced in
name-only.
Does the paragraph

The paragraph contains
The paragraph contains The paragraph is missing
contain an introductory an introductory sentence. an introductory sentence.
one of the following:
sentence (that relates to
the previous paragraph, if The paragraph contains at The paragraph contains at an introductory sentence.
applicable)?
least four supporting
least three supporting
sentences.
sentences.
at least two supporting
Does the paragraph
sentences.
contain supporting
The paragraph contains a The paragraph contains a
sentences (at least four)?
concluding/
concluding/
a concluding/ joining
joining sentence
joining sentence.
sentence.
Does the paragraph
contain a concluding
sentence (or a joining
sentence to the next
paragraph, if applicable)?
The paragraph is missing

two or more of the
following:
Setting
Was the setting
introduced with
descriptions that included
at least four out of the
five senses (sight, sound,
smell, taste, or touch)?
Protagonist
Is the protagonist
three important traits.
Writing (Form)
an introductory sentence.
at least two supporting
sentence.
a concluding/ joining
sentence.
Writing (Style)
Writing flows smoothly
Does the writing display
and uses a
clarity, variety, and strong variety of sentence types
language choices?
and lengths effectively.
Language is varied and
often precise;
Experiments and may
play
with language
Writing includes variety

of sentences; more
complex structures may
be awkward
Language is clear,
appropriate, and varied
Writing includes some

sentence variety and
uses complex sentences,
but some problems.
Language is generally
clear,
appropriate, and direct,
although
often imprecise.
Little sentence variety;

sentences tend to either
be short and choppy or
long and awkward.
Language is
conversational and may
be inappropriate.
Writing (Conventions)
Writing may include
Does the writing follow
occasional
the expected conventions errors where the writer is
of the English language taking risks with complex
(spelling, grammar,
language; these do not
punctuation, etc)?
interfere with meaning.
Writing may contain

errors in more complex
language that are
sometimes
noticeable, but meaning
is clear.
Writing may contain

errors in basic words and
structures that are
noticeable
but do not obscure
meaning.
Frequent errors in simple

words and structures
often
interfere with meaning.
Group Mark:
Conflict (Group Mark)
Is there a clear conflict in the story
(character vs character, character vs
society/environment, or character vs self)?
There is a clear
conflict.
The conflict is
somewhat clear.
A conflict is present
but it isn't clearly
defined.
Conflict is absent.
Flow (Group Mark)

Are the parts of the story clearly related?
Are the parts of the story connected by
joining sentences (does the story flow)?
The parts of the story The parts of the story Some parts of the The parts of the story
are clearly related.
are somewhat
story are related.
are unrelated.
related.
The parts of the story
Some parts of the The parts of the story
are connected by
Most parts of the
story are connected are not connected by
joining sentences.
story are connected by joining sentences. joining sentences.
by joining sentences.
Group Member #2:________________________

Individual Mark:
Antagonist
Is the antagonist introduced with at least
three important traits.
Antagonist was
introduced with at
least three important
details.
Antagonist was
introduced with at
least two important
details.
Antagonist was
introduced with at
least two important
details.
Antagonist was
introduced in nameonly.
Inciting Incident
Is the conflict introduced in a way that
makes sense and is clearly related to a goal
that the protagonist wants to achieve.
The conflict is
The conflict is
The conflict is
The inciting incident
introduced in a way introduced in a way
introduced but in a
is either absent or
that makes sense as that somewhat makes
way that is
doesn't make sense.
is clearly related to a
sense and is
somewhat confusing
goal that the
somewhat related to
and not clearly
protagonist wants to
a goal that the
related to a goal that
achieve.
protagonist wants to the protagonist wants
achieve.
to achieve.
Writing (Form)
Does the paragraph contain an introductory
sentence (that relates to the previous
Does the paragraph contain supporting
Does the paragraph contain a concluding
sentence (or a joining sentence to the next
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence?
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence.
The paragraph
contains at least four
supporting sentences.
The paragraph
contains at least
three supporting
sentences.
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence
Writing (Style)
Writing flows
smoothly and uses a
Does the writing display clarity, variety, and variety of sentence
strong language choices?
types
and lengths
effectively.
Language is varied
and
often precise;
Experiments and
may play
with language
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence.
Writing includes
variety of sentences;
more complex
structures may
be awkward
Language is clear,
appropriate, and
varied
The paragraph is
missing one of the
following:
The paragraph is
missing two or more
of the following:
an introductory
sentence.
an introductory
sentence.
at least two
at least two
supporting sentences. supporting sentence.
a concluding/ joining a concluding/ joining
sentence.
sentence.
Writing includes
some sentence
variety and
uses complex
sentences,
but some problems.
Little sentence
variety; sentences
tend to either be
short and choppy or
long and awkward.
Language is
generally clear,
appropriate, and
direct, although
often imprecise.
Language is
conversational and
may be
inappropriate.
Does the writing follow the expected
conventions of the English language
(spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc)?
Writing may include

occasional
errors where the
writer is
taking risks with
complex
language; these do
not
interfere with
meaning.
Writing may contain Writing may contain

Frequent errors in
errors in more
errors in basic words
simple
complex
and structures that words and structures
language that are
are noticeable
often
sometimes
but do not obscure
interfere with
noticeable, but
meaning.
meaning.
meaning
is clear.
Group Mark:
There is a clear
conflict.
The conflict is
somewhat clear.
defined.
Conflict is absent.
Flow (Group Mark)

are somewhat
story are related.
are unrelated.
related.
are connected by
Most parts of the
joining sentences.
Group Member #3:_____________________

Individual Mark:
Rising Action 1
Is this event related to the initial problem
that was introduced in the inciting incident
and does its conclusion move the plot
toward the climax of the story?
This event is clearly

related to the initial
problem and its
conclusion clearly
relates to the other
events that lead to
the climax of the
story.
This event is
somewhat related to
the initial problem
and its conclusion
somewhat relates to
the other events that
lead to the climax of
the story.
This event is present This event is either

but perhaps lacks
absent or lacks any
some important
connection to the
details that link it to initial problem or the
the initial problem
other events in the
and the other events
story.
that lead to the
climax of the story.
This event has a

clear purpose in the
story and its
conclusion clearly
events that lead to
the climax of the
story.
This event has a

somewhat clear
purpose and its
conclusion
somewhat relates to
lead to the climax of
the story.
This event is present

but perhaps lacks
some important
information that
causes it to lack a
story and/or lack a
connection to the
other events that lead
to the climax.
This event is either

absent or serves no
clear purpose in
moving the plot
forward.
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence?
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence.
The paragraph is
missing one of the
following:
The paragraph is
missing two or more
of the following:
The paragraph
The paragraph
contains at least
three supporting
sentences.
an introductory
sentence.
an introductory
sentence.
Rising Action 2
Does this event make logical sense in the
story? Does its conclusion move the plot
toward the climax of the story?
Writing (Form)
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence.
at least two
at least two
sentence.
sentence.
Writing (Style)
Does the writing display clarity, variety, and
Writing flows
smoothly and uses a
variety of sentence
types
and lengths
effectively.
Language is varied
and
often precise;
Experiments and
may play
with language
Writing includes
more complex
structures may
be awkward
Language is clear,
appropriate, and
varied
Writing includes
some sentence
variety and
uses complex
sentences,
but some problems.
Little sentence
variety; sentences
tend to either be
short and choppy or
long and awkward.
Language is
generally clear,
appropriate, and
direct, although
often imprecise.
Language is
conversational and
may be
inappropriate.
Writing may include

occasional
errors where the
writer is
taking risks with
complex
language; these do
not
interfere with
meaning.

Frequent errors in
errors in more
simple
complex
language that are
are noticeable
often
sometimes
but do not obscure
interfere with
noticeable, but
meaning.
meaning.
meaning
is clear.
Group Mark:
There is a clear
conflict.
The conflict is
somewhat clear.
defined.
Conflict is absent.
Flow (Group Mark)

are somewhat
story are related.
are unrelated.
related.
are connected by
Most parts of the
joining sentences.
Group Member #4:______________________

Individual Mark:
Rising Action 3
Does this event have a clear purpose in the
story? Does its conclusion lead to the
climax of the story?
This event has a

story and its
conclusion clearly
leads to the climax of
the story.
This event has a

somewhat clear
purpose and its
conclusion
somewhat leads to
the climax of the
story.

but perhaps lacks
some important
information that
causes it to lack a
story and/or lack a
connection to the
climax.

absent or serves no
clear purpose in
moving the plot
forward.
There is a clear
climax and the main
conflict is resolved.
There is a clear
climax and the main
conflict is somewhat
resolved.
The climax is
unclear.
The climax is absent.
Climax
Is there clear climax in the story?
Is the main conflict resolved (or clearly
determined to be unresolved)?
Is it the story's highest point of interest?
The climax is the

highest point of
interest.
The climax is
interesting but not
the main point of
interest.
It is unclear whether
or not the conflict is
resolved.
The climax lacks
interest.
Writing (Form)
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence?
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence.
The paragraph
The paragraph
contains at least
three supporting
sentences.
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence.
The paragraph is
missing one of the
following:
an introductory
sentence.
The paragraph is
missing two or more
of the following:
an introductory
sentence.
at least two
at least two
sentence.
sentence.
Writing (Style)
Writing flows
smoothly and uses a
variety of sentence
types
and lengths
effectively.
Language is varied
and
often precise;
Experiments and
may play
with language
Writing includes
more complex
structures may
be awkward
Language is clear,
appropriate, and
varied
Writing includes
some sentence
variety and
uses complex
sentences,
but some problems.
Little sentence
variety; sentences
tend to either be
short and choppy or
long and awkward.
Language is
generally clear,
appropriate, and
direct, although
often imprecise.
Language is
conversational and
may be
inappropriate.
Writing may include

occasional
errors where the

Frequent errors in
errors in more
simple
complex
writer is
taking risks with
complex
language; these do
not
interfere with
meaning.
language that are

sometimes
noticeable, but
meaning
is clear.
are noticeable
but do not obscure
meaning.
often
interfere with
meaning.
There is a clear
conflict.
The conflict is
somewhat clear.
defined.
Conflict is absent.
Group Mark:
Flow (Group Mark)
are somewhat
story are related.
are unrelated.
related.
are connected by
Most parts of the
joining sentences.
Group Member #5:________________________

Individual Mark:
Falling Action 1
This event is clearly

This event is
This event is present This event is either
connected to the
somewhat connected
but perhaps lacks
absent or lacks any
Is this event directly connected to the
event(s) that
to the event(s) that
some important
clear purpose or
event(s) in the climax? Does its conclusion
occurred in the
occurred in the
information that
connection to the rest
move the plot toward the end of the story?
climax. Its
climax. Its
causes it to lack a
of the story.
conclusion clearly
conclusion
connection to the
moves the plot
somewhat moves the climax of the story
toward the end of the plot toward the end and/or the events that
story.
of the story.
move the plot toward
Falling Action 2
Is this event directly connected to the
event(s) in the climax? Does its conclusion
move the plot toward the end of the story?
This event has a

story and its
conclusion clearly
events that lead to
the ending.
This event has a

somewhat clear
purpose and its
conclusion
somewhat relates to
lead to the ending of
the story.

but perhaps lacks
some important
information that
causes it to lack a
story and/or lack a
connection to the
ending of the story.

absent or serves no
clear purpose in
moving the plot
forward.
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence?
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence.
The paragraph is
missing one of the
following:
The paragraph is
missing two or more
of the following:
The paragraph
The paragraph
contains at least
three supporting
sentences.
an introductory
sentence.
an introductory
sentence.
Writing (Form)
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence.
at least two
at least two
sentence.
sentence.
Writing (Style)
Writing flows
smoothly and uses a
variety of sentence
types
and lengths
effectively.
Language is varied
and
often precise;
Experiments and
may play
with language
Writing includes
more complex
structures may
be awkward
Language is clear,
appropriate, and
varied
Writing includes
some sentence
variety and
uses complex
sentences,
but some problems.
Little sentence
variety; sentences
tend to either be
short and choppy or
long and awkward.
Language is
generally clear,
appropriate, and
direct, although
often imprecise.
Language is
conversational and
may be
inappropriate.
Writing may include

occasional
errors where the
writer is

Frequent errors in
errors in more
simple
complex
language that are
are noticeable
often
taking risks with

complex
language; these do
not
interfere with
meaning.
sometimes
noticeable, but
meaning
is clear.
but do not obscure

meaning.
interfere with
meaning.
defined.
Conflict is absent.
Some parts of the

story are related.

are unrelated.
Group Mark:
There is a clear
conflict.
The conflict is
somewhat clear.
Flow (Group Mark)

The parts of the story The parts of the story

are somewhat
related.
are connected by
Most parts of the
joining sentences.
story are connected
Some parts of the

by joining sentences. joining sentences.
Group Member #6:__________________________

Individual Mark:
Falling Action 3
Does this event have a clear purpose in the
story? Does its conclusion lead to the
ending of the story?
This event has a

story and its
conclusion clearly
leads to the end of
the story.
This event has a

somewhat clear
purpose and its
conclusion
somewhat leads to

but perhaps lacks
some important
information that
causes it to lack a
story and/or lack a
connection to the end
of the story.

absent or serves no
clear purpose in
moving the plot
forward.
Ending
Is there a clear and well-thought out ending
to the story that fits one of the following
ending types: Denoument, Checkov's Gun,
Red Herring, or Ironic Twist?
The ending clearly

fits one of the
ending types.
The ending
somewhat fits one
of the ending types
but some elements
are missing.
Ending was present

but the type was
unclear.
Ending was absent

(the story just
stopped).
The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence.
The paragraph is
missing one of the
following:
The paragraph is
missing two or more
of the following:
an introductory
sentence.
an introductory
sentence.
Writing (Form)
Does the paragraph contain an introductory The paragraph
contains an
introductory
sentence?
The paragraph
Does the paragraph contain a concluding supporting sentences.
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence
The paragraph
contains at least
three supporting
sentences.
The paragraph
contains a
concluding/
joining sentence.
at least two
at least two
sentence.
sentence.
Writing (Style)
Writing flows
smoothly and uses a
variety of sentence
types
and lengths
effectively.
Language is varied
and
often precise;
Experiments and
may play
with language
Writing includes
more complex
structures may
be awkward
Language is clear,
appropriate, and
varied
Writing includes
some sentence
variety and
uses complex
sentences,
but some problems.
Little sentence
variety; sentences
tend to either be
short and choppy or
long and awkward.
Language is
generally clear,
appropriate, and
direct, although
often imprecise.
Language is
conversational and
may be
inappropriate.
Writing may include

occasional
errors where the

Frequent errors in
errors in more
simple
complex
writer is
taking risks with
complex
language; these do
not
interfere with
meaning.
language that are

sometimes
noticeable, but
meaning
is clear.
are noticeable
but do not obscure
meaning.
often
interfere with
meaning
defined.
Conflict is absent.
Some parts of the

story are related.

are unrelated.
Group Mark:
There is a clear
conflict.
The conflict is
somewhat clear.
Flow (Group Mark)

The parts of the story The parts of the story

are somewhat
related.
are connected by
Most parts of the
joining sentences.
story are connected
Some parts of the

by joining sentences. joining sentences.

Short Story Project Outline and Rubric

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Short Story Proposal

Group Member #1:_______________________

Setting was introduced

Setting was introduced

Setting was introduced

Setting was introduced

Does the paragraph

The paragraph is missing

Writing includes variety

Writing includes some

Little sentence variety;

Writing may contain

Writing may contain

Frequent errors in simple

Flow (Group Mark)

Group Member #2:________________________

Writing may include

Writing may contain Writing may contain

Flow (Group Mark)

Group Member #3:_____________________

This event is clearly

This event is present This event is either

This event has a

This event has a

This event is present

This event is either

Writing may include

Writing may contain Writing may contain

Flow (Group Mark)

Group Member #4:______________________

This event has a

This event has a

This event is present

This event is either

The climax is absent.

The climax is the

Writing may include

Writing may contain Writing may contain

(spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc)?

language that are

Group Member #5:________________________

This event is clearly

This event has a

This event has a

This event is present

This event is either

Writing may include

Writing may contain Writing may contain

taking risks with

but do not obscure

Some parts of the

The parts of the story

Flow (Group Mark)

The parts of the story The parts of the story

Some parts of the

Group Member #6:__________________________

This event has a

This event has a

This event is present

This event is either

The ending clearly

Ending was present