THE SCENARIO
Your Production Company Has Secured a Pitch Meeting
Publishers and studio executives want to see fresh takes on historical fiction—stories that blend genres in unexpected ways. You've been asked to develop a complete work packet for your original concept: a historical fiction story (set at least 50 years in the past) that incorporates conventions from another genre.
Your packet will demonstrate that you understand both genres deeply, have researched your historical period thoroughly, and can create a compelling protagonist worthy of a series.
After the break, you'll form production companies with classmates and pitch your projects to the class. But first, you need to prove your concept on paper.
ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
This summative assessment evaluates three MYP criteria:
Your understanding of genre conventions, historical context, and thematic connections
Your creativity, imagination, and development of your protagonist
Your vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, and professional register throughout
TIMELINE
GENRE BLEND ANALYSIS
What This Section Demonstrates
You understand what makes your chosen genre work—not just its surface features, but why those conventions matter to readers and viewers.
Required Elements
- Name your second genre (the one you're blending with historical fiction)
- Genre Conventions Table: List 3-4 key conventions of your chosen genre. For each convention, explain:
- Why is this convention essential to the genre? (What does it do for readers/viewers?)
- How will you incorporate this convention into your historical fiction story?
- Genre Tension Analysis 100-150 words: Identify 1-2 potential conflicts between historical fiction conventions (accuracy, real events, period-appropriate details) and your chosen genre's conventions. Explain how your story navigates these tensions.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
What This Section Demonstrates
You've researched your time period and made purposeful choices about how history shapes your story.
Required Elements
- Time period (must be at least 50 years ago) and location
- Historical Events (minimum 2): For each event, provide 2-3 sentences explaining what happened historically AND how it features in your story
- Historical Figure: Name one real person from this era. In 3-4 sentences, explain who they were historically and how they appear or are referenced in your story
- Creative Approach Statement 75-100 words: State whether you prioritize historical accuracy or creative license. Explain why this choice serves your specific story
- Thematic Justification 75-100 words: Why does this particular time period enhance your story thematically or dramatically? What can you explore in THIS setting that wouldn't resonate the same way in another era?
THEMATIC ANALYSIS
What This Section Demonstrates
You can think critically about how genre, history, and character work together to create meaning.
Required Elements
Write a cohesive response 150-200 words addressing:
- What central theme emerges from combining your two genres in this historical context?
- How does the historical setting deepen or complicate this theme in ways a contemporary setting couldn't?
- How does your protagonist's journey illuminate this theme?
PROTAGONIST PROFILE
What This Section Demonstrates
You can create a compelling character who feels alive, complex, and rooted in their historical moment.
Required Elements
- Name and age
- Background 75-100 words: Who is this person? What is their social position, family situation, and relationship to the historical moment they live in?
- What makes them compelling? 50-75 words: Why would readers/viewers invest in this character? What's interesting, contradictory, or relatable about them?
- Character's Goal: State their primary want/need in one clear sentence
- Historical Obstacles 75-100 words: How does the historical context specifically challenge this character's goal? What barriers exist in THIS time period that wouldn't exist today?
- Series Potential 50-75 words: If this became a series, what would keep audiences returning? What's unresolved, evolving, or expandable about this character and world?
RESEARCH & SOURCES
What This Section Demonstrates
You've done genuine research and can reflect on how it shaped your creative choices.
Required Elements
- Three sources with full citations (at least one primary source if available for your time period)
- For each source, explain in 3-4 sentences what specifically it taught you about your historical context
- Research Reflection 50-75 words: How did your research change or deepen your original concept? What did you discover that you didn't expect?
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Primary sources are from the time period itself: diaries, letters, newspaper articles, photographs, speeches, government documents.
Secondary sources are written later, analyzing or describing the time period: history books, documentaries, academic articles, encyclopedias.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Format & Submission
- Submit on Managebac
- You must use the original document created by Mr. Colin
- Due: February 12, 2025 by end of class
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Use these criteria to evaluate your own work before submitting. The goal is to meet standard (5-6) in each criterion.
✓ Meeting Standard (5-6)
Criterion A: Analysing (Sections 1-3)
- I provide substantial identification and explanation of genre conventions, showing I understand why they matter
- My historical context is researched and specific—I include real events, figures, and accurate details
- My thematic analysis makes meaningful connections between genre, history, and character
- I identify tensions between genres and explain how my story navigates them thoughtfully
Criterion C: Producing Text (Sections 4-5)
- My protagonist demonstrates considerable personal engagement and creativity
- My character is developed and interesting, with clear connections to historical context
- Historical obstacles are relevant and specific to the time period
- My research reflection shows meaningful engagement with sources
Criterion D: Using Language (Entire Packet)
- I use a varied range of vocabulary and sentence structures competently
- I write in an appropriate professional register most of the time
- Grammar, syntax, and punctuation are used with considerable accuracy
- I make few spelling errors
★ Exceeding Standard (7-8)
Criterion A: Analysing
- I provide perceptive identification and explanation of genre conventions, showing insightful understanding
- My historical choices feel purposeful and sophisticated—not arbitrary
- My thematic analysis reveals something non-obvious about why this combination works
- I explore genre tensions with depth and originality
Criterion C: Producing Text
- My protagonist demonstrates a high degree of personal engagement, creativity, and originality
- My character feels layered and alive—their relationship to history creates genuine tension
- Series potential shows imaginative thinking about story possibilities
- My research reflection demonstrates genuine insight into how research shaped my choices
Criterion D: Using Language
- I use a wide and effective range of vocabulary and sentence structures
- I write in a consistently appropriate professional register
- Grammar, syntax, and punctuation are used with a high degree of accuracy
- I make very few spelling errors
For Genre Analysis:
- Did I explain WHY each convention matters, not just WHAT it is?
- Did I identify real tensions between genres and explain how I'll handle them?
For Historical Context:
- Are my historical events and figures accurate and specific?
- Did I justify my creative approach choice (accuracy vs. license)?
- Does my time period genuinely enhance the story, not just provide backdrop?
For Thematic Analysis:
- Is my theme specific to THIS combination of genre + history + character?
- Did I explain how history deepens the theme, not just provide setting?
For Protagonist:
- Would someone want to read/watch a story about this character?
- Are their obstacles genuinely tied to the historical moment?
- Is there potential for more stories with this character?
For Language:
- Does my writing sound professional, like I'm pitching to industry professionals?
- Did I proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
TIPS FOR PARENTS
This assessment asks students to create an original historical fiction concept that blends two genres. Here's how you can support your student without doing the work for them.
How to Help
💬 Questions to Ask
- "Why did you choose this genre/time period?"
- "What makes your protagonist interesting?"
- "How does the history affect your story?"
- "What did you discover in your research?"
✅ Helpful Actions
- Listen as they talk through their ideas
- Help them access library databases for research
- Ask if they've met word count requirements
- Remind them of the timeline and due dates
🚫 What to Avoid
- Don't choose their genre or time period for them
- Don't write or heavily edit their sentences
- Don't do the historical research for them
- Don't stress perfection—this is about learning
📚 Research Support
- Students have access to school library databases
- Encourage primary sources when possible
- Discuss what makes sources reliable
- Help them evaluate if sources fit their time period
Understanding the Assessment
This packet builds toward a group presentation after the Tet break. The written work is assessed individually on three criteria: how well students analyze genre conventions and history (Criterion A), how creatively they develop their protagonist (Criterion C), and how effectively they use professional language throughout (Criterion D).
The goal is genuine thinking and creativity—a "perfect" packet with shallow analysis will score lower than a thoughtful packet with minor polish issues.