Fan Fiction

FAN FICTION - SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT

Fan fiction plays an important role in the depiction of the vampire and werewolf. Fan fiction projects also inherently explore new perspectives on canonical works, themes, ideas, etc., while integrating multiple modes of meaning-making into a collaborative activity. Lastly, fan fiction is deeply tied to identity construction, giving space to fans to self-reflect and explore issues of identity and empowerment. As a signature assignment for RSSS 315, students will be tasked with completing a fan-fiction project with the following stages / tasks:

1. Beta Reader Practice Assignment: Completing a "practice beta reading" of a piece of fan fiction (10%) - due beginning of class March 24. 2. Fan Fiction - First Draft: Writing or creating their own piece of fan fiction / art / media (at least 500 words / 5-7 minutes in length) based

off of the course materials in some manner (30%) - due April 7 3. Fan Fiction - Final Draft: Revising your fan fiction (with at least 100 words added to the 1st draft) in response to the instructor's feedback

(60%) - due April 28

Assignment Description:

You will be writing a work of fan fiction for your signature assignment. First, choose a story from the course that you enjoyed (making sure to check the assignment requirements below). After choosing the original work from the course materials, then choose what genre of fan fiction to write based off that original story:

Missing Scenes: “Missing scenes” are not actually in the original literature but would stay true to the facts and characters in the original story. For example, an author might write a story based on the novella Carmilla and add a scene between Carmilla and Laura's father. In that scene, the characters and scenes would be the same as what the author portrayed in the real story. Nothing would be changed by the Fanfiction author. The author would simply add a section that could fall right into the story.

Alternative Perspective/Alternate Universe: “Alternative perspective” refers to the Fanfiction writer telling the story from a different perspective, which can include an opinion about a character, an event or the entire story. When a major character or story event is changed, it is considered to be an “alternate universe” story. For example, an author may write a story about The Wolfman but tell the story from the perspective of a passerby from the background of the film, or a story about "The Sorceress" from the perspective of the witch's father.

Alternate Reality / "What If?": Characters from one story entering into another story or world would be considered as part of an “alternate realities” story (e.g., Star Wars characters appearing in the world of Harry Potter). Our practice reading of "Baba Yaga and the Wizard" would fit into this category. A "What If?" story asks “what if A had happened instead of B?” or "What if X were the case instead of Y?" What if Edward were not a vampire, but was a troubled billionaire? (i.e., Fifty Shades of Grey). What if Victorian England was overrun by Zombies? (i.e., Pride & Prejudice & Zombies). A "what if?" change can be a simple one or a major one – either way, though, the point is to explore how the story or character relationships would have turned out differently.

A Behind-the-Scenes Scene: Choose a character or scene and describe what was going on while the action of the story was not focused on them. For example, what does the Fairy Godmother do when she’s not fixing Cinderella’s life? What was going on in the Shire while Frodo was off on his quest to destroy the ring? These stories will make the reader see the original from a new point of view, or add an extra layer of meaning to what was already there. Example: Wicked (the musical or book).

Sequel: “Sequels” are a continuation of the story that takes place after the timeline of the original story.

Prequel: A “prequel” is when an author writes a story that takes place prior to the timeline of the original story.

Self-Insert: A “self-insert” is when the author writes himself or someone who closely resembles himself into the story, usually through an avatar (e.g., write a character into the story of Dracula that resembles yourself; how would that affect the overall story?).

You can also find some helpful ideas, prompts, first lines, etc., in this document that may spark your ideas about how to begin your fan fiction.

Requirements:

Your piece of fan fiction should:

Include a completed template by replacing the information in the template with information about your own work. The template information does not count towards the word-count requirement for the fan fiction. Engage clearly and directly with at least one work of fiction (text or film) from the course materials. Incorporate in some manner - directly or indirectly - either one theme (i.e., folklore, historical, etc.) or approach (i.e., Perkowski, Propp, etc.) to the monster based on the course materials. Be spell- and grammar-checked; Be written in a professional, respectful manner for a general audience (i.e., a rating between K and T) At least 500 words. You may go over 500 words with no penalty. Failure to meet the minimum word count = -25. Double-spaced. Failure to double-space = -2. Calibri 11 or Times New Roman 12 Be sure to title your work (i.e., "The Life of..."). Failure to include a title = -2. Include a word count. Failure to include a word count = -5. Submitted in .doc, .docx or .pdf format to the d2l by deadline. No other file formats will be accepted for credit.

Alternative works of fan fiction (i.e., art piece, media, etc.) must be pre-approved by Professor Lucey ([email protected]). Email Professor Lucey no later than March 24 with detailed request. Fan fiction rough drafts will be graded on a 50-point scale; see below for the grading rubric.

Grading the fan fiction

The following rubric, based on a 0-10 scale, will be used on the first draft of the fan fiction:

Elements

of

Fan Fiction

Did the author’s use of characters, worlds, and canon stay true to the original work?

Did the author demonstrate an understanding of their chosen genre of Fan Fiction?

Advanced (10) Proficient (8) Developing (6)

The story demonstrates an understanding of both the original theme and a genre of Fan Fiction. It allows the reader to understand much more about the topic, theme or approach.

Most of the entry is related to the original theme and/or genre. The story wanders off at one point, but the reader can still learn something about the topic, theme or approach.

Some of the entry is related to the chosen theme and/or genre, but a reader does not learn much about the topic, theme or approach.

Understanding

of

Content

Did the author demonstrate an understanding of the required content, as well as the chosen themes or approaches?

Advanced (10) Proficient (8) Developing (6)

A reader is able to understand much more about the topic / theme / approach because the entire story is related to the chosen objective.

A reader can learn something about the topic / theme / approach because most of the story is related to the chosen objective.

It is hard for a reader to learn much about the chosen objective based upon the story.

Creativity

Did the author create a story that is imaginative and believable?

Advanced (10) Proficient (8) Developing (6)

► Story is original and creative showing the author’s use of imagination in thoughts, ideas, and storyline

► Includes many details and descriptions that add to the story

► Dialogue is believable and true to the world of the chosen genre / work

► Story shows developing creative and original thoughts, ideas, and storyline

► Exhibits some evidence of the author’s imagination

► Story includes good details and descriptions

► Dialogue is mostly believable

► Story does not show much originality or exhibit author’s imagination

► Storyline is not creative or original

► Does not include many details or descriptions

► Very little realistic dialogue

Publishing

Did the author complete all required elements of the template accurately?

Advanced (10) Proficient (8) Developing (6)

Accurately completed all requirements in the guidelines

Requirements were partially followed; some items might be omitted or incorrect

Disregard for the requirements in the guidelines

Conventions

Did the author use proper spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar?

Advanced (10) Proficient (8) Developing (6)

No errors There are one or two errors There are three or more errors