YAC: Short Story
Protagonist Antagonist Mission Obstacles Basics of a Story
Main character Wants something desperately Protagonist Physical description Background Personality Relationships Words Actions Motivation Conflict Change
Antagonist The person or force working against the protagonist Stands in the way of the protagonist s desires and plans What does he or she want? Why is it so vital to him or her? What will success mean to him or her? Why is he or she determined to triumph? Why is he or she against the protagonist?
Mission The thing, experience, or triumph that the protagonist wants Why does he or she want it? Why is it so vital to him or her? What will success mean for him or her? Why hasn t he or she sought it until now? Why is this particular moment so important?
Obstacles Other people, events, forces, that stand in the way of the protagonist Examples Time Physical disability or injury Other responsibilities Weather Relationships Emotions (fear, pride) How do they work with the antagonist? How does the protagonist overcome them?
Other Considerations Strive for unity You can t destroy the world and save it in 6-8 pages Write about what you know, not about what you ve seen in movies/tv Find the true beginning of your story (about 20% of the way in). Keep the time frame small
YAC: Essay
Introduction Tells the reader what you re going to say Basic Essay Structure Body Says it Conclusion Summarizes for the reader what you ve just said.
Backbone of your essay Thesis Controls every aspect of the essay Yes, even personal essays have one.
The roadmap (or blueprints) for your essay Outline Planning out your essay makes sure that your main points and details support your thesis. Example Thesis Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Conclusion
Introduction Hook sentence Connect hook to thesis End with thesis statement
Prove your thesis Body How can a text prove that your individual voice is part of the greater human chorus? Use concrete details Personal experience Quotes and details from the chosen text
Restate your thesis in different words Conclusion Reiterate your main points Leave the reader feeling satisfied
Expression of Ideas Thematic meanings effectively controlled Writing Style Responds to the stated prompt Unified Clarity of purpose, completeness, and closure
Language Use Writing Style Appropriate to content Mastery of technical skills Powerful, original word choice
Unique Perspective and Voice Writing Style Authentic, original perspective Evident through stylistic choices
YAC: Poetry
8-20 lines TOTAL Writing multiple poems is allowed Include poetic elements Imagery Requirements Sound Metaphor Personification Alliteration Communicate theme/tone that Harvest can support
Fewer words than natural speech Condensed language Appropriate to tone and subject Overall meaning maintained
Imagery Five senses Details, details, details! Work together
Yay, you can rhyme! Can you also use meter? Effective Use of Sound Yay, you can use alliteration! Does the alliteration (or assonance or consonance) fit the tone/mood of the poem?
So you ve got a simile Does it fit the subject? Other literary devices Does it link to the imagery? Is it cliché? Could it work better as a metaphor?
Yes, these are important, even in poetry. Grammar & Punctuation Punctuation can communicate just as much as words do. No run-ons or comma splices allowed Watch your verbs and pronouns
Connection to audience Some poems are written to create a picture only, but the most memorable poems also convey a universal truth about the human condition. Maeve Maddox, Telling a Good Poem from a Bad One
Difficulty of form Yay, you can write a haiku! What about a limerick? Yay, you can rap! Can you write a sonnet? Yay, you can write free verse! Can you write blank verse?