ENG 3U1 Gothic Short Story

Writing Assignment The elements of a gothic story are:

1. Setting – bleak or remote locations;2. Characters – in physical or psychological torment;3. Plot – includes violence and macabre;4. Supernatural – presence of ghosts, zombies, undead beings, and others.

Create a 750-1000 word (roughly 3-4 pages, typed, double-spaced) gothic short story.

You may choose from the following:

a) Your own short story from scratch that includes at least 3 of the 4 aforementioned gothic short story elements and a plot twist at the end.

b) A continuation (not a rewrite) of “The Box Social” with your own unique plot twist at the end. Your story will begin with, “I hated you so much.”

c) A backstory (not a rewrite) of “The Black Cat” with your own unique plot twist at the end. Your story will provide information of how the character became violent and would take place before we meet him in “The Black Cat”.

Due Date:

Plot Boxes:

Got hic Short Story Rubric

Criteria Level 1 (50-59%)

Level 2 (60-69%)

Level 3 (70-79%)

Level 4 (80-100%)

Mark

Knowledgeunderstanding of gothic story elements

shows limited understanding of gothic story elements

shows some understanding of gothic story elements

shows considerable understanding of gothic story elements

shows thorough understanding of gothic story elements

/5

Thinkingoriginality

ideas show limited originality

ideas show some originality

ideas show considerable originality

ideas show a high degree of originality /5

ThinkingSynthesis of Narrative Elements (Plot, Theme, Character, Stetting)

synthesizes narrative elements with limited effectiveness

synthesizes narrative elements with some effectiveness

synthesizes narrative elements with considerable effectiveness

synthesizes narrative elements with a high degree of effectiveness

/5

CommunicationLanguage Conventions (e.g., grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, usage)

uses language conventions with limited effectiveness

uses language conventions with some effectiveness

uses language conventions with considerable effectiveness

uses language conventions with a high degree of effectiveness

/5

ApplicationImagery (Showing, Not Telling)

uses imagery with limited effectiveness

uses imagery with some effectiveness

uses imagery with considerable effectiveness

uses imagery with a high degree of effectiveness

/5

ApplicationCommand of Structure (Introduction, Development of

demonstrates limited command of narrative structure

demonstrates some command of narrative structure

demonstrates considerable command of narrative structure

demonstrates thorough command of narrative structure

/5

Plot Twist Goes Here

Conflict, Conclusion)TOTAL MARKS

/30Writing Strand