Speech's Due! Introduction to the 500 Word Short Story Project

Today we will complete our class speeches. As we deliver our speeches, please evaluate and critique your fellow peers.

When we have completed our speeches, please return to the lab to do the following writing/reading task:

On to our next writing task. Soon you will be choosing a selection to read and perform at our coffeehouse on Nov. 19. Before you do that, please print out any writing you have completed this marking period and put the draft in your portfolio. You should have already done this, but if not, please do it now.

Then watch these videos!

• 25 Insights on Becoming a Better Writer
• Daniel Radcliffe: 500 Words story
• David Walliams: 500 Words story
• Please watch and listen to at least 3 500-word stories from this site. 
• Lab: writing a 500 word story.
• Go to the lab. 
• Come up with a short, short story that should be exactly 500 words in length.
• Subject and genre is completely up to you!
• Use the handout advice to get you started.
• Use the advice from the videos and the 25 insights to help you as well.
• Write. Drafts of your stories will be due this Friday. You will have time in the lab to complete your story then.

HOMEWORK: Watch at least 3 500-word stories (see link above) and summarize each story in 1 sentence. Write your 1-sentence premise (summary) in your journals. Then, add to this list with some of your own 1-sentence premises. Choose one of the 25 Insights on Becoming a Better Writer (see above) and in your journal, write this insight and what you think of it.

Finally, consider what pieces you have written that you think are your best work. We will be selecting our coffeehouse piece next class. Our Coffeehouse is Nov. 19 at 7:00. Please invite your parents/guardians/family and friends. Light refreshments will be served that evening!