Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Creative Writing: Protagonist in Defiance of Social Norms”

In this activity, students will write a creative piece in which their protagonist openly defies a set of social norms.

In Ellison’s story, the protagonist uses his brief victory to defy social norms and have control over his life. In this Activity, you will create a short story in which the protagonist defies a set of norms that they are expected to follow in their society. In your brainstorming process, consider the questions below:

• Who is your protagonist? What is this person’s background?
• What is the setting of the story? How does the setting relate and/or perpetuate a specific standard of social norms?
• Why does your protagonist want to defy this set of social norms?
• How does your protagonist attempt to defy these norms? What are the obstacles (if any)?
• What is the conclusion of this defiance? For example, is your protagonist successful in the quest? Why or why not?

After drafting your creative piece, share it with a classmate for a peer-review process. Finally, present your work to the class, reading your story out loud.