How to Write a Story

Suitable
for KS2 but can be easily adapted for KS1

(BBC Bitesize and Twinkl offered free resources during Coronavirus lockdown)

All stories need a beginning, a middle and an end. They need characters (people in the story) and a setting (the place and the time that the story happens).

Most stories need something to happen to the main character. The main character is called the protagonist. This can be a problem for them to resolve. This is called conflict.

There will be someone or something causing the problem. In some stories this will be the ‘bad guy’, also called the antagonist, but it doesn’t have to be a person. It might be a something like a storm, an accident, an alien invasion…

Read a short story

  • Who were the characters?
  • Where and when was the setting?
  • What happened at the beginning?
  • What happened in the middle?
  • What happened at the end?

Think about what your story will be about. You could mind-map or jot down some ideas.

Think about your characters. What are their names?

Discuss these questions:

  • Where does your story happen? What time is it? Night, day, long ago…
  • What will happen at the beginning, the middle and the end.
  • How you start your story is called your ‘story opener’.
  • You should try and ‘hook’ your reader, so they want to read on with your story.
  • What is the problem or conflict that your main character must resolve?
  • Will your story have a twist at the end?

Use this story map to help you:

STORY MAP

What happens at the beginning?

Who is your main character?

Where is the story set?

 

 

Hook your reader.

What happens next?

 

 

 

What is the problem or conflict for your main character?

 

 

 

How is the problem resolved?

 

 

 

How does the story end?

Happily or not?

Will it have a twist?

 

 

Now write your story…

 

 

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