Creative Writing Assignment

English II Periods 5 and 6

Creative Writing Assignment    “Archetype in Action”

DUE:  TUESDAY, October 8^TH, 2013  15 pts.

Guidelines:  Write a 1 1/2- 2 paged typed (double-spaced) story that features an archetypal character who struggles against some force or injustice.  In considering your character, choose from the following ideas:

1.  The Archetype of the Priest/Savior (Example: Neo in The Matrix, Frodo from Lord of the Rings, many religious figures);  

--character who intercedes on behalf of the people—willing 

       to sacrifice or rebuild. He/she defies the darkness and 

       travels through a type of underworld—Hades, Mordor, Hell

2.  The Archetype of the Hero/Adventurer (Example:  Gilgamesh / Indiana Jones):

--character who seeks the unknown and hazards risk to discover truth and wisdom.  He/she undertakes a quest that seems insurmountable but proves valuable.

3.  The Archetype of the Survivor (Example Pi from The Life of Pi or Rose in Titanic):

--character who is “marooned” by some sort of force—natural/man-made disaster or psychological upheaval.  He/she is ultimately triumphant but is marked by the event—sometimes crippled or plagued.

4.  The Archetype of the Shape Shifter (Example Mrs. Doubtfire, Spiderman, Batman, Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde): 

--character who changes role or personality, often in significant ways.  He/she is hard to understand, and his/her alliances and loyalties are questionable. Character lives a double life.  

5. The Archetype of the Fool (Example Forest Gump):

--character who amuses others through jokes/jests but who possesses a superior understanding of human nature.  He/she is seemingly absurd but is actually wise.  Also known as a type of savant, the fool lives outside the mainstream society, which allows for his/her detachment and wry observations. 

As a storyteller, you need to also remember the craft of fine writing:   

1. Perspective (What point of view will you adopt?) 

2. Setting (Where will you place your story?)

3. Conflict (Will your character grapple with an internal or external struggle?) 

4. Dialogue (How will your character converse and interact?)

5. Pacing/Suspense (How will you build momentum and climax in your story?)

ONE FINAL SUGGESTION:  THINK INCIDENT RATHER THAN EPIC—A GLIMPSE RATHER THAN A FLOODLIGHT

YOU DON’T NEED TO END THIS STORY IN A TRADITIONAL MANNER—YOU CAN LEAVE IT SUSPENDED RATHER THAN RESOLVED.