GUIDE TO VIDEO GAME AND INTERACTIVE NARRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS

Language Assignment

Note: This assignment uses Italian for the purpose of the example, but this idea will work for any language course.

Assignment:

We have just learned the different situations for using verbs in the imperfect and past proximate tenses. Write a short story using Twine that demonstrates the appropriate time to use each. Your story can be about anything you want – have fun with it!

  1. Download Twine here.

  2. Browse the tutorials and example stories below to get an idea of what kind of games you can make.

  3. Write your story using Twine.

    1. You must include at least 3 decisions that change the story’s path.

    2. You must use 5 sentences in l’imperfetto and 5 sentences in passato prossimo.

    3. You must use 10 words from this unit’s vocabulary list.

  4. Submit your story to Canvas.

  5. Export your story as a .html file and submit it to canvas. 

Go Back to View Example and Tutorials

Students might encounter the following questions through this assignment:

  • How is an interactive narrative different than a traditional essay? How is it different from a traditional short story?

  • What is the benefit of branching narratives? What are the drawbacks?

  • How complex should my story be? Do I want to explore multiple plot lines in my story, or just have players select a few details in a story that stays consistent each time they read it?

  • How much should player decisions affect the story? Will they all reach the same ending no matter what choices they make, will each choice have a little bit of impact, or will each choice take the story in a totally new direction?