Short Story Unit #5

Short Story: FOUR VISITORS

40 pts. for the story, 20 for peer editing

Peer edit draft due beginning of the period Monday.

[Focus: Description, "Visualization" with 4 of the 5 senses]

You should set up the story with the barest of plots... generally one paragraph explaining why you are having visitors. The description of the characters should comprise 85%-90% of the paper. The visitors can range from good to best, or, bad to worst, using four of five senses in your descriptions for each. The writing should be controlled so that the gradations are evident. This gradation requires much more control in writing than a simple writing of four descriptions. This is not a fashion commentary. Also remember that this should be done with awareness not to offend or bring a focus on anyone in the class. The final draft of this assignment is generally 2+ typewritten pages.

On your first draft, highlight the printed out descriptions with a highlighting pen. That way you can clearly see how much actual description went into the paper.

To begin, use one sheet for each of the four visitors. On one side of the paper draw circles to list the character's qualities, remembering the five senses. Try to look for degrees of change and arrange the characters appropriately. You can use metaphors and similes to express the 'inexpressible' (but not to the extreme.)