Name (First and Last)_________________________________ Class Period_________(B2 or B4)

The War in the Bathroom Writing

1. After reading The War in the Bathroom, think of how Margaret Atwood presents two
different sides of the protagonist to the reader. Think of the mental/emotional/moral
struggle that is going on between the two selves.
2. Think of two different sides to you. There are, of course, many different sides to all of
us, but try to think of two prominent sides.
EXAMPLES: past/present self, present/future self, real/desired self, private/public self,
right brain/left brain self, hopeful/fearful self, caring/uncaring self, dedicated/lazy
self, etc.
Once you choose the two sides you want to present, brainstorm lists of things that make
each side unique and in what ways they agree and disagree. Treat your two sides as two
separate people who must co-exist inside of you.
3. Present your two chosen sides to your reader in the form of a short story. The short
story can be fiction or non-fiction, but must be realisticabout something that COULD
happen or HAS happened to you. You will write in first person in the voice of Self 1, and
describe Self 2 through Self 1s perspective like in Atwoods short story. Pay careful
attention to language; make precise word choices. The words you choose should match
the personalities of each chosen side, and also match the emotion that you would like
your reader to feel. Do you want them to laugh? Smile? Feel pity? Concern? Fear?
Frustration? Wonder? You control the emotions of the reader with your words.
Do not just copy Atwoods story and slightly tweak it to make it your own. Create your
own short-story on the same subject of dual-identity using two selves found within you.
4. You will brainstorm and write you rough draft in the writing section of your composition
notebook. Then, you will revise, edit, receive feedback, and write your final draft on a
clean sheet of notebook paper in blue or black ink in your best handwriting.
5. You will present your piece for the class by explaining how you approached the
assignment (your concept) and then you will read your favorite excerpt from your piece
aloud for the class.
*See grading rubric for length and other specifications

Name (First and Last)_________________________________ Class Period_________(B2 or B4)

GRADING RUBRIC- FINAL DRAFT

Self 1 and Self 2
There are obviously two different personalities (10)
Each personality is defined and has a unique voice (10)
Atwood-Inspired
The Atwood story inspired the piece, but the student
created their own unique way of expressing dual-identity
through a short story (10)
Grammar and Mechanics
Appropriate word-choices for the two defined selves (15)
Precise word-choices to create imagery and emotion with
languages(15)
Spelling, capitalization, punctuation (10)
Varying sentence structure (10)
Formatting
At least 2 1/2 pages in length on college ruled paper (5)
Written in blue or black pen (5)
Written in neat cursive or immaculate print (+5)
Presentation For Class: 2 min
Presented the concept behind the piece and the two
chosen selves (5)
Read a favorite excerpt of the piece aloud and articulated
clearly why is it a favorite (5)

TOTAL

20

10

50

10

10