Requirements and Rubric

For this element of the writer's workshop you are required to write either a personal narrative (memoir) or a fictional narrative (short story). The final product should be 3-5 pages typed, double spaced. Before you begin, consider these steps:

1. Consult and consider the Sample Work on this page
2. Revisit the Sample Work that we looked at as a class and the notes that we took.
3. Revisit, consult, and consider the ideas you've been gathering in your Writer's Notebook. Look to it for inspiration
4. Begin your writer's process (plan, draft, revise...)
   • You can use the Resources below to help you get started or if you encounter writer's block. They are there to help you.
   • As you go, consult the rubric (not yet finished) on this page, so you are mindful of how your collection will be evaluated.

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Models and Notes

There are countless ways to organize a story, but we are going to focus on one. The SWBS (Somebody wanted, but so...) technique organizes your story into four categories:

• Character
• Plot motivation
• Conflict
• Resolution

Below is a table that shows aspects of character, plot motivation, conflict, and resolution to consider as you prewrite.

Before you begin drafting, you should have a firm grasp of:

• who your protagonist is,
• what the character wants,
• what gets in the character's way, and
• how the character does or does not resolve the conflict.

In class we are going to read a short story and complete a SWBS table together to demonstrate how the model applies to most stories.

Explain 3D vs. 2D.

Somebody (Character)	Wanted (Plot)	But (Conflict)	So (Resolution)
Primary major character--3D hero protagonist Secondary major character--3D or 2D villains best buddies mentors Minor characters--2D Effect of setting on character urban, suburban, or rural present, past, or future impoverished, rich diverse population or all the same	Desires love attention comfort happiness Motivations greed jealousy compassion anger Goals career success completing a project teamwork Journeys and Quests seeking a destination going wherever the road leads running away from a bad situation *	Human vs. Human conflict between characters "good guy vs. bad guy" antagonist vs. protagonist Human vs. Society schools, businesses -isms (racism, sexism, classism) wars and politics Human vs. Nature sickness, illness, poor health storms, extreme weather animal kingdom starvation, dehydration fight for survival Human vs. Self making tough decisions dealing with emotions living with guilt or remorse struggling to understand or learn	Climax the height of the action the peak in tension the point where conflict reaches a breaking point Close-ended wrapped up in a bow tragic sad and predictable ("could see it coming") most people die or are heartbroken character was destined for tragedy comic happy and most people are getting married becoming rich finding peace in their lives Open-ended cliffhanger for sequel forever a mystery left unresolved for each reader to interpret in own way

If you want to look at other examples of SWBS in classic literature, look at the WordDoc below.

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Sample Work

Follow the links below to short stories, or personal narratives

A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
She Unnames Them by Ursula K. Le Guin
Everyday Use by Alice Walker
The Open Boat by Stephen Crane
Letter to My Nephew by James Baldwin

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Resources
Use some of these resources to help you plan, or gather ideas for your narrative.
Plot Diagram on ReadWriteThink's Student Interactives
Story Map on ReadWriteThink's Student Interactives
Timeline Tool on ReadWriteThink's Student Interactives
Somebody Wanted But So lesson plan, explaining the SWBS strategy
Elements of the Short Story Online Activities
Tips for Writing a Personal Narrative