Trip Delayed.
A WebQuest for 7th Grade English Language Arts

Designed by
Rhonda Smith
x99eqh@stfx.ca
 
 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page























 


 Introduction

Congratulations!  You are an award winning author, who has made millions of dollars for your last three books.  But before you pack your bags and head to St. Kitts (a tropical island in the Carribean with low taxes), you have to fulfil your contractual obligations.  You still have to write one more story for your publisher. This is unfortunate because you are experiencing a slight case of writer's block.  You know that you are going to need some help to finish this story.  Luckily, you have great writer friends, who would be more than happy to help you.  You happily begin your journey through the writing process.

Back to the top of the page


The Task
Through the assistance of the internet and your peers, you will be crafting a piece of writing of publishable quality.  This will be a cooperative process that will take place over several days and involve several people.  Your short story will be illustrated during the final stage, and submitted to be shared with the class.

Back to the top of the page


The Process
  1. You are to begin the writing process.  The first element you need is inspiration for a story.  Go to the page Instant Muse Story Starter for this inspiration.  Follow the directions on the page.  Write down the information that the page gives you for your story, as you will need this later.
  2. Discuss who your editors will be later on.  You need 2 editors, and these 2 people will have to know that you are sending your story to them.  Everyone must be an editor.  Only one story per editor.  I will keep track of this list of editors.
  3. Go to these sites for help on the writing process, before you begin your writing.
Pages on the Writing Process
The Writing Process
The Writing Process: An Overview
The Process Homepage
  1. Go to the outline page and print out this page and complete it for your story.  Keep this sheet, as it will be handed in with all of your drafts at the end of this assignment.
  2. Then, once your outline has been completed, you will then write your first draft on the computer.  Read over your draft and make it as correct as possible.  As this is a first draft, everything dos not have to be perfect.  You will have editors to help you with this draft.
  3. After you have written your first draft, you will then choose your first editor (you will have 2).  E-mail then the first draft with a polite note asking them for assistance.  NOTE: You will be setting up editors before hand with me so that everyone is an editor with only one story to edit.
  4. Once you have received a story to edit, visit these links for assistance in editing.
Editing Tips
Grammar Now
Grammar
Dictionary
Thesaurus
  1. Edit the paper which you receive, using the tips from these sites.  When you have finished editing, send the story back to the author with the suggested changes typed at the bottom.
  2. When you receive you edited story back through e-mail, make the suggested changes on the computer if you agree with them. Print out this draft with the suggested changes at the bottom, you will need it later.
  3. Then send the revised story to your 2nd editor through e-mail, for the 2nd edit.  By now your story should be more polished.
  4. Once you received a 2nd story to edit, use the same links as ablove to assist you in making helpful suggestions to the author.  Send the page back through e-mail with your suggestions on the bottom.
  5. When you receive your story which has been edited for the second time, make the changes if you agree with them.  Print out this draft with the suggested changes at the bottom, you will need it later.
  6. Read over your story and make any changes that you feel are necessary to create a perfect story, which will be published.
  7. Once the written part of your story is finished, begin to visually enhance your story.  look for clip art that will effectively illustrate your story.  It has to be meaningful, and add to the experience of your story.  Some good places to start are:
Clip Art Sites
Clipart.com
www.hoxie.org
  1. You will present your story on the computer and you will print out a hard copy to pass in.  Remember to pass in all of your drafts and your outline sheet.
Back to the top of the page

Evaluation

Rubric for Creative Writing
 

Item to Be examined A Gleam in a Publisher's Eye 4 Almost Ready for Publication
3		 A Work in Progress
2		 A Gleam in Your Eye 
1
Sparks Interest Captures reader's attention from first riveting sentence, paragraph, or line; reader cannot help but continue Gets reader's attention with first sentence, paragraph, or line, drawing reader into rest of piece.  First sentence, paragraph, or line lacks dramatic tension necessary to draw reader into piece; reader may not keep reading First sentence, paragraph, or line lacks dramatic tension necessary to draw reader into piece; reader may not keep reading.
Tools of Writing Short Stories Dazzles reader from beginning to end through original and interesting use of ideas, language, plot, character development, dialogue, imagery, etc.Contains no clichés or stereotypes. Interests reader most of the way through the piece because of mostly original Offers  little originality in ideas, language, plot, imagery, etc. May contain many clichés and/or stereotypes. Reader may lose interest. Lacks originality in ideas, language, plot,
Clarity and Involvement Although challenging and perhaps not easily understood, work has a clarity that leaves no surface questions (i.e. "What happened in this part?") in reader's mind. Has a clarity that leaves few surface questions (i.e. What happened in this part?") in reader's mind. Leaves several surface questions (i.e. "Why is the character named Myrtle on page 1 and Jill on page 4?") in reader's mind. Is downright murky because of significant and unintentional gaps or contradictions in logic, plot, character, imagery, voice, point of view, setting, etc.
Mechanics Contains no errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics (unless used for artistic purposes) Contains few minor errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics (aside from those used for artistic purposes) Contains many and/or serious errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics; may interfere with reading. Contains so many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics that errors block reading.

 

Back to the top of the page
 



Conclusion

Congratulations!  You have just finished your journey through the Writing Process.  You have finished your contractual obligations.  Pack your bags and head to St. Kitts.  Enjoy the sunshine and the relaxation.  I'm sure that this story will be a best seller.  Keep in mind that you will eventually run out of money.  Perhaps you can think of some ideas while you are on vacation.  Here is a site that could provide helpful ideas on what to write.
 
 

Creative Writing Tutorial












Here is a site that will enlighten you on what other writers have to say about writing.  Perhaps you can quote these authors in the interviews you will be asked to do after the release of this story.  Write a short response to the question, "How do you feel about writing?", quoting another author.
 
 

What Writers Say About Writing















Back to the top of the page
 
 


Credits & References

List here the sources of any images, music or text that you're using. Provide links back to the original source. Say thanks to anyone who provided resources or help.

List any books and other analog media that you used as information sources as well.

Rubric Adapted From: Rubric for Creative Writing

Back to the top of the page