3.18 Writing Assignment

Goal: Choose one "Spark Line" below and expand it into a complete story. Constraint: Your story must be at least 100 words (about one full paragraph of neat handwriting).

Step 1: Choose Your Spark

1. "The basement door had been locked for eighty years; today, I found the key in my cereal box."
2. "In a world where everyone has a tail, being born without one was a crime."
3. "I knew I shouldn't have downloaded that 'Free Pizza' app."

Step 2: Include the "Essential Three"

To hit your word count and make the story great, you must include:

• A Sensory Detail: One thing the character smells, hears, or feels (not just sees).
• A Moment of Realization: The exact second the character realizes they are in trouble or something has changed.
• The "Cliffhanger" or "Resolution": End by either solving the problem or leaving us on the edge of our seats.

Step 3: Use the "Word Count Hack"

If you’re stuck at 60 words, don't just add "very, very, very." Instead:

• Describe the Setting: What does the room look like?
• Add Internal Monologue: What is the character thinking to themselves?
• Use Dialogue: Have the character say something out loud (even if they're alone!).