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WRITING TASK

ARTEFACTS/ SOURCES
Song
Article
Poem
You are expected to create an ORIGINAL response related to either your personal subtopic or the group theme. This piece should be between 250 to 400 words. You have a choice of the following genres:
  1. Short story
  2. Play 
  3. Narrative Poem
  4. Spoken Word Poem
  5. Monologue
  6. Letter to the Editor
  7. Speech
You must include an outline, or plan, that is appropriate for the specific writing task that you have selected. This response should be 40 to 50 words.
 1. Short Story Checklist
  1. Idea and Concept - Ensure that you have a moment of conflict that ties to your central idea. You should be able to verbalize this central idea in one sentence.
  2. Main Character - Think about your protagonist in terms of what they want, what stands in the way of him or her achieving that desire and what makes him or her interesting.
  3. Conflict - Think about the main problem in the story in terms of what the protagonist needs to overcome.
  4. Setting - Your setting must support the mood that you want for your story. It is important to spend time developing the setting.
  5. Structure - Every story needs a beginning (introduce character and problems), middle (obstacles and ​​​
Outline
Example
          rising tension), climax (the big moment) and an ending (change and a resolution).
      6. Show, don’t tell - Use action, dialogue and description, and avoid over explaining.
      7. Dialogue - The dialogue should sound natural and only used intentionally to reveal character traits. Dialect should be used sparingly and only                                for emphasis.
      8. Theme - The message, or takeaway should be clearly woven throughout the story. In this context, if your group theme is music, then the                                      message should center around music.
      9. Pacing - Ensure that your story is tight and focused, so remove any (www.bulbsoup.com) unnecessary scenes or descriptions.
2. Play Checklist
  1. Idea and Concept - Ensure that you have a moment of conflict that ties to your central idea. You should be able to verbalize this central idea in one sentence.
  2. Characters - Think about what the characters want and who is standing in their way. Most importantly, think about the purpose that the characters serve in the story.
  3. Setting - Think about specifics like where and when the story occurs, and if they support the mood and theme. You also need to consider if the setting can be realistically staged.
  4. Structure - The play needs a beginning (introduce character and problems), middle (obstacles and rising tension), climax (the big moment) and an ending (change and a resolution).
  5. Scenes - Consider if the scenes move the story forward and if transitioning from each scene is clear and purposeful. The scenes should also reveal character traits and deepen conflict.
  6. Dialogue - Avoid long speeches unless they serve a dramatic purpose and ensure that the dialogue sounds natural when spoken aloud.​
​Outline
​Example
       7. Stage Directions - Ensure that the stage directions are clear, concise and helpful to the audience. Also, avoid over directing movement or 
​          emotion.
        8. Conflict and Tension - The conflict should be clear and compelling, with emotional tension. 
        9. Pacing - Balance moments of intensity with quiet (www.bulbsoup.com) periods and remove lines that slow down the story.
3. Narrative Poem Checklist                              
  1. Story Idea - Ensure that you have a clear story to tell. It is helpful if you can summarize the plot in one sentence.
  2. Characters - Your character’s traits should be revealed through actions, thoughts and the dialogue, and, the main character should have an obstacle.
  3. Setting - You should establish where and when the poem takes place.
  4. Plot Structure - The poem should have a beginning (introduces the conflict), middle (complications) and end (resolution or twist).
  5. Poetic voice and tone - The voice has to be consistent throughout the poem and the tone must match the mood of the story that you are telling.
  6. Imagery and Sensory Details - you must use sight, sound, touch, taste and smell to create vivid images.
​Outline
​Example
       7. Rhythm and Sound - The poem should flow smoothly when you read it aloud and the rhyme scheme should be natural, not forced.
       8. Line Breaks and Stanzas - Your line breaks should add emphasis and meaning and the organization of your stanzas should support the 
           story's progression.   
       9. Theme and Emotional Impact - The theme should be shown throughout the poem, not explained, and (www.bulbsoup.com) there should be
           a strong image or feeling.       
4. Spoken Word Poem Checklist
  1. Core Message - You should have one truth, in this case a theme, that you want to express. You should be able to summarize the message in one strong sentence.
  2. Emotional Anchor - Identify a feeling that drives the piece, example grief or pride, and ensure that every section connects to that emotion.
  3. Voice and Perspective - Decide who is speaking and ensure that the voice is consistent.
  4. Rhythm and Flow - There should be a natural beat when you read it aloud, with intentional pauses and accelerations.
  5. Repetition and Reinforcement - Use repetition to build power and ensure that it strengthens the message.
  6. Imagery and Metaphor - Your images must be vivid and specific and they must deepen the meaning and emotional impact.
  7. Structure - There should be a clear beginning, build, climax and release, and each section should escalate tension or emotion.​
​Outline
​Example
      8. Sound Device - Use sound devices such as alliteration and assonance to enhance the performance
      9. Clarity - Ensure that the message is clear, (www.bulbsoup.com) even with the use of poetic language.
5. Monologue Checklist
  1. Purpose - The purpose of your monologue must be clear from the first few lines.
  2. Speaker - Ensure that the speaker’s voice is distinct and believable, driven by an emotion.
  3. Conflict - The internal or external conflict should be clear.
  4. Structure - There should be an opening (grabs the attention and sets the emotional tone), middle (build tension) and ending (offers a shift, realization, decision or a powerful final image).
  5. Emotional Arc - The character should change, even slightly, from beginning to end.
  6. Voice and Language - Word choice should be intentional and expressive, and the use of Creole should be purposeful and consistent.
  7. Performance Elements - There should be natural pauses and shifts in tone. The piece should allow an actor to act, not just talk.
  8. Length and Focus - The monologue should be concise and free of rambling, every line should serve the emotional or narrative purposes.
  9. Imagery and Detail - The monologue should show rather than explain, with vivid images (www.bulbsoup.com) and sensory details.
​​Outline
​Example
6. Letter to the Editor Checklist
  1. Clear Purpose - Identify the issue or theme, you should be able to state the main point in one sentence.
  2. Strong Opening - The first line should grab the reader’s attention and immediately state your theme.
  3. Focused Argument - You should have one main argument and your points should be clear, logical and easy to follow.
  4. Evidence and Examples - Your evidence should be relevant and concise.
  5. Tone and Voice - The tone should be respectful and not like an angry rant.
  6. Brevity - The letter should be short and to the point.
  7. Call to Action - You should be clear on what you want your readers to do, therefore, it should be realistic and specific.
  8. Closing - The final line should reinforce the theme.
     9. Accuracy - The theme should be described                  accurately (www.bulbsoup.com) and clearly.
​Outline
​Example
8. Speech Checklist
  1. Purpose and Audience - Think about what you want the audience to think, feel or do after the speech, this becomes your purpose.
  2. Clear Message - Every part of the speech should support your theme, you should be able to express it in one strong sentence.
  3. Strong Opening - Your first line should be an attention grabber, avoid long and slow introduction.
  4. Structure - You should have a beginning (introduce the topic and purpose), middle (key points and evidence) and end (memorable closing with a call to action).
  5. Key Points - Ensure that the points are clear and focused, and well supported.
  6. Voice and Tone - The tone must be appropriate to the audience and the language must be natural.
  7. Rhythm and Pacing - Your sentence must vary in length for impact and natural pauses for emphasis.
  8. Clarity and Simplicity - Your ideas need to be easily understood and each sentence should be purposeful.
  9. Memorable Ending - The final line should echo the (www.bulbsoup.com) theme and there should be a call to action.
​Outline
​Example
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas

​Reference:
https://writers.com/narrative-poem-definition
https://www.nancychristie.com/focusonfiction/2017/12/14/what-makes-a-good-short-story/
https://theatrehaus.com/2023/04/the-14-elements-of-drama-beginners-guide/ 
https://www.theatrefolk.com/blog/exploring-spoken-word-poetry
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-monologue-definition/ 
https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-editor/main 
https://calvin.edu/rhetoric-center/student-resources/oral-rhetoric/writing-speeches