Throughout this lesson, you have looked at examples in prose and poetry where authors have intentionally used nonstandard English to enhance the meaning and effect of their writing. The intentional breaking of rules can add to a writer’s craft. Now, it is your turn to craft a piece of writing that intentionally breaks the conventions of Standard Written English. As you complete your prewriting, think about the effect, meaning, and tone you are trying to accomplish and how nonstandard language can help you.
Write a poem or short short story that deliberately breaks the rules of Standard Written English. Then, write the piece following standard conventions. Explain what is lost in the standard version or why the departures from standard English helped convey more meaning.
(You may choose to write a nonsense poem in the style of Lewis Carroll or Dr. Seuss, with several made-up words that still carry meaning--or a poem or short short story that uses dialect to create a distinctive voice for the speaker.)
Before you begin your writing assignment, use the links below to access the prewriting worksheet as well as the rubric. As you plan your writing, think about the effect you want your writing to have. Once you determine your topic and effect, plan how you can break from conventions to accomplish your intentions.
Click the Activity button below to download a worksheet that will help you complete this assignment.
Submit your unconventional approach writing assignment to your teacher. Your work on this assignment will be graded using the following rubric.
| 5 - Expert | 3 - Strong | 1 - Beginning | |
| Focus | Skillfully engages the reader Skillfully establishes a clear focused topic or subject Maintains the focus throughout Establishes a narrator and/or characters Establishes a clear point of view |
Adequately engages the reader Adequately establishes a clear and focused topic or subject Focus is inconsistent at times straying from the topic Adequately establishes a narrator Point of view is inconsistent |
Little or no focus, creating confusion and a lack of focus for the reader Lacks a narrator Lacks a point of view |
| Organization | Opening addresses audience and purpose Plot creates a sense of unity and completeness Logically sequences the events--clear beginning, middle, and end |
Adequately creates an opening that addresses audience and purpose Uneven plot development Inadequate sequence--may be lacking a beginning, middle, or end |
Little or no evidence of a plot or storyline Lacks sequence of events Lacks a clear beginning, middle, and end |
| Craft and Elaboration | Elaborates using details and description Effectively uses nontraditional conventions to enhance the story, such as punctuation, capital letters, sentence structure, and language |
Adequately uses details and descriptions to elaborate on story Adequately uses nontraditional conventions to enhance the writing, but may be used infrequently or incorrectly |
Incorporates little to no details or descriptions, providing little elaboration to the plot Does not use nontraditional conventions in an effective manner |
| Language and Vocabulary | Uses sensory details and figurative language to create a mental image for the reader Uses specific words and phrases |
Adequate use of sensory details although parts may need more description Adequate use of language to explain and describe |
Little to no sensory details included Language is vague and contains few if any descriptions |
| Conventions | Author shows skill and understanding of grade-level spelling, usage, and grammar. Any deviations from grade-level usage and grammar are intentional and used to enhance the story. |
Adequate use of grade-level spelling, usage, and grammar. Contains some deviations from conventions as a craft element but also contains some mistakes that do not add to or enhance the writing |
Frequent and severe errors in grade-level spelling, usage, and grammar. Deviations from conventions do not add to the craft of the story but instead detract from the reading and clarity of the text. |
