How it works:
I began collecting old photographs about 2 years ago. I now have a 
large Rubbermaid container full of them. Before I hand out the 
assignment sheet I let the students sort through the pictures and 
choose three that they like. We discuss them together and talk about 
characterization (this is review--we have covered this in-depth 
earlier in the year), relate the people to our strange relatives and 
basically characterize them aloud together (we laugh a lot...this 
is a good Friday exercise). Once we do this, the assignment officially 
begins. The assignment sheet is below* and pretty self explanatory. 
I discuss terms (character, plot, storyboard, etc.) as we go. I hope 
someone can use this.
Suanna Wingfield
Ouachita High School, Arkansas

***************************

Tall Tales and Urban Legends
a creative writing assignment

Using the antique photographs you chose in class, you will create characters, 
a setting and ultimately your own tall tale or (in your case)  rural legend.  
You will, similar to the way Maycomb residents created the myth of Boo  
Radley's night time escapades in To Kill a Mockingbird, create your own 
suspenseful story about the characters in your chosen pictures.

Required Assignments:
1. 3-2 page character sketches			30 points	Due: _____________
2. 3-1 paragraph character sketches             15 points	Due: _____________
3. 1 page freewrite to generate plot ideas	10 points	Due: _____________
4. 1-2 page description of your setting		10 points	Due: _____________
5. 1 story board to develop your plot		20 points	Due: _____________
6. Rough Draft 				      	25 points	Due: _____________
7. Final Draft				      	50 points	Due: _____________
8. Presentation				      	15 points	Due: _____________


Specific Requirements for Items Listed Above:
9. Story Board: 
	--You must have your story board on a large piece of poster paper or 
   		poster board.
	-- It must include a minimum of 10 sections representing your story with 
		words and sketches.

10. Final Draft: 

	-- Your story must be a minimum of 4 double spaced pages.  
	-- It should be typed in a 12 point times font.  
	-- In addition to your old photographs, you must also have included at 
		least three other pictures with captions.  

11. Presentation:
	-- Read your story aloud.
	-- Share your pictures.

Helpful Hints:
1. Be creative.  
2. Think your ideas through before you write them down.
3. Explain your story thoroughly.  (Think Hemingway...sometimes more is more.)
4. Write about things you know about. (Think Steinbeck...the world and people 
	around you are interesting...use them.)
5. Have fun with this assignment.