Writing a Short Story

WORDZAP GAME

Procedure:
1) Teacher writes the 4 basic types of sentences on the board.
2) Divide the class into 4 groups.
3) Each group chooses a player. The players stand in front facing the class.
4) Teacher reads a sentence. Players have to turn around and tap the correct type of sentence on the board. First student to tap the correct word earns a point for his group.
5) Do this several times then declare the winner.

Game introduction. Remind the students on the 4 basic types of sentences.

1)Declarative sentence –  sentences that make statements. We use it to describe something. (.)

2)Interrogative sentence – sentence that ask questions. (?)

3)Exclamatory sentence – sentences that expresses strong feelings. (!)

4)Imperative sentence – sentences that give instructions or advice. (.)

Now, the teacher writes the types of sentences on the board such as:

DECLARATIVE, INTERROGATIVE, EXCLAMATORY, IMPERATIVE/ COMMAND

SENTENCES TO BE USED IN THE GAME

1)The new teacher will come to school today.

2)What is the name of our new classmate?

3)How fast he runs!

4)What a beautiful girl she is!

5)Submit your homework tomorrow.

6)My teacher likes me because I listen to her.

7)I am 15 years old.

8)Do you have a boyfriend?

Give more sentences when needed.

VOCABULARY

1)The main character in the story was very funny.

a.place where the story took place

b.person in the story

2)Jim is sad because he had a conflict with his girlfriend.

a.problem

b.solution

3)A good story is essential for the success of a movie

a.optional

b.important

4)You will face many financial problems in the future if you don’t save now.

a.study

b.have to deal with

5)Sarah needs to overcome her fear of speaking in front of the class.

a.control or defeat

b.develop

6)My sister and I need to find a way to resolve our disagreements.

a)find solution to something

b)feel angry about something

7)The setting for the wedding was a beautiful garden.

a)guest

b)A place where something happens

8)Many movies take place in Paris because it’s a very beautiful city.

a)happen

b)end

9) The novel has a theme of family unity, and the story focuses on how the family became closer.

a)Difficult problem

b)Idea that is developed

10)Within a time span of five years, Peter had four different jobs.

a)Limited time

b)Length of time

LESSON PROPER:  WRITING A SHORT STORY

Reference:  Q Skills for Success – Reading and Writing Student book.  pages 150-153

Preview:  This is a textbook excerpt about writing a short story.  It will explain the parts needed for a good story. What parts do you think are needed for a good story?

—————

1        If your writing assignment is to write a short story, you are probably worried.  You might think, “I don’t know how to write a story. I don’t have a good imagination.  I’m not an author!” Believe it or not, writing a short story is easier and more fun than you think.  First of all, you already know many stories:  personal stories, family stories, stories about your town or country, folktales you heard as a child, and so on. You can write about the funny, surprising, or scary things that have happened to you.  Think about the stories that you enjoy telling your friends.  Second, this lesson will give you an easy “recipe” for writing your story and show you how to write a good short story.

     American playwright Elmer Rice (1892-1967) said that a play or a story in its simplest form has three parts.  He said that the writer needs to:

1) Put a man up a tree.

2) Throw stones at him.

3) Get him down.

     This may seem surprisingly simple, but his clever idea works well for many kinds of stories.  Lets look at how you can use this recipe for writing your own short story.

1) Put a man up a tree.

     In part 1, we have two important ingredients of a story:  the main character and the setting.  Your main character is the person at the center of your story.  Who is this person? What does your character look like? What is his or her personality?  Your setting is where your story takes place.  This is the physical location of the story. Is the setting on an island? In a house? In some stories, the setting is very important, while in other stories, it isn’t. In the example, the setting is a tree, and this is essential to the story.  The setting can also include the time of the story.  Does it take place in the past, the present or sometime in the future? Also, what is the time span of the story? An hour? A day? For a short story, the time span is usually short.

2) Throw stones at him.

     Part 2 of the story is the conflict.  The conflict is the problem facing the main character.  In the example, the character’s problem is that he is in a tree, and he wants to come down.  There is a conflict between the character and the person who is throwing stones at him.  The conflict in a story is the basic problem that your character must resolve.  What is the problem facing your character? Why is it important?  Why does it matter to the main character?

3) Get him down.

6       In part 3, the main character solves the problem or overcomes the challenge at the end of the story.  He comes down the tree.  This is the resolution of the story.  In a good story, the resolution isn’t always easy, and the main character may resolve the problem in an unexpected way.

     By the end of the story, the readers understand the theme of the story.  The theme is the message of the story. What is the story about? What is the reason for the story? Just as the main idea of the paragraph is supported by details, the theme is supported by the setting, the main character, and the conflict.

8       When you write your own short story, keep these three parts in mind.  Remember that you are using words to paint a picture for your reader. It’s like a movie you have seen, and now you are describing the story to a friend. Does that sound like fun? Well, get started!


COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1)What is the author’s purpose? What is he or she is trying to do?   (8)

2)What are the three main parts of a story?

3)Define conflict in your own words.

4)In which part of the story is the resolution?

5)The writer gives examples of four kinds of stories that you already know.  What are they?

6)Who was Elmer Rice?

7)Who is the main character?

8)What is the setting? Give example.

9)What is the theme of the story?

GROUP ACTIVITY

Divide the class into groups of 4 or as appropriate.  Let them plan their own story by answering the following questions.

1) What kind of story would you like to write?

2)Who will be your main character?

3)Write at least 3 sentences that describe your main character.

4)Who are the other characters in your story?  Describe them.

5)Where is the setting of your story? (place and time span)

6) What will be the conflict in your story?

7)How will your main character resolve the conflict?

8)What is the theme of your story?

9)What lesson would you like to tell your readers?

10) What do you think is a good title for your story?

 

STORY WRITING TIME.  The activity maybe given as a homework.  The drawback of giving the task as a homework is that the students have the tendency to copy on the internet.  When it is done as a lesson the next day, the students maybe able to write their own story without copying on the internet.  Make sure to compare students’ works to the earlier plan.  Happy story writing!