Name: ______________________________________ Date: ___________ Hour: ________
Science Fiction Short Story Assignment
Writing Task: Write a short story based on the premise that humans from Earth have colonized Mars.
Before writing the story, research Mars for information and inspiration; record your notes on the
provided research page. It is required that you fill out a plot diagram as a prewriting activity before
you begin.
Task/Step in Writing
Process
Research
DUE DATE AND TIME
DUE Monday, May 18 (Beginning of
Hour)
Planning/Pre-write
DUE Monday, May 18 (End of Hour)
Draft
DUE Thursday, May 21 (Beginning of
Hour)
Final Draft
DUE Friday, May 22 (Beginning of Hour)
Highlight key elements
Friday, May 22 (Classwork)
Peer Review
Friday, May 22 (Classwork)
Description
Research facts about the planet
Mars, exploration and travel to
Mars, and potential colonization
of Mars
Complete the Science Fiction
Short Story Planning Diagram
Draft a short story that has a
clear beginning, middle, and end
that incorporates inspiration
from your research and plot
elements from your planning
diagram
Final Draft must be handwritten
on one side of lined paper with
proper paragraphing and
dialogue format.
Blue- characters and setting
Yellow-conflict
Pink-climax
Complete a peer review on a
partner’s paper
You may use alternate resources (remember reliability), but here are a few websites you may find
useful:
NASA – All about Mars
http://mars.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/facts/
Planets for Kids
http://www.planetsforkids.org/planet-mars.html
Mars One (privately funded space settlement program)
http://www.mars-one.com/
NASA Mars Exploration Program
http://mars.nasa.gov/programmissions/overview/
Name: ______________________________________ Date: ___________ Hour: ________
Science Fiction Short Story Assignment
REQUIRED RESEARCH PAGE
(you may attach additional sheets as needed)
Resource: ____________________________________________________________________________
Notes:
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Science Fiction Short Story Planning Diagram – REQUIRED
KEY
Blue - Characters and Setting
Yellow - Conflict
Pink - Climax
Name: ______________________________________ Date: ___________ Hour: ________
Science Fiction Short Story Assignment
Person Reviewing
Character and Setting
Conflict
Climax
Format and Dialogue
5 4
3
Comments:
1
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
3
2 1
Comments:
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
5 4
3
Comments:
2
1
Self (Print Name)
2
Peer (Print Name)
5
4
5 4
3
Comments:
Teacher
2
1
Additional Comments