Narrative Writing Assignment

The narrative is the first major writing project of the year, and the one for the first quarter. We have officially begun this assignment. Today I gave the students the grading rubric and a worksheet called "What a Character!" to help them do some prewriting, some notes on developing their main character.

Tomorrow they'll get another double-sided sheet that will help them flesh out their plot and settings.

Students may turn in a first draft to me on or before Tuesday, September 26. I will give them some preliminary feedback on the rubric, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of their story. This is optional; students are not required to turn in a first draft to me.

The final draft is due on Friday, October 6, 2006. Students have three weeks to write a narrative of 500 to 700 words. This counts as 75% of their writing grade for the first quarter; their Ten Best from their daily writing journal will count for the next 25%, along with grammar and spelling.