1. What a Story Needs And How to Keep Your Reader
Creating a Narrative
What a Story Needs
And How to Keep Your Reader

2. What is a Narrative
A narrative is a short story which reveals a theme (lesson) through a plot (sequence of events).
A narrative can be autobiographical or fictional.
It should include all elements of a short story

3. Story Needs Topic Conflict Setting – time and place
Characters – how they grow or changed (theme=learned)
Plot – events, rising action, etc.
Dialogue – people talking, quotes must be meaningful
Climax – turning point, outcome is resolved
Resolution – wrap it up !!!!
Devices: Foreshadowing, similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, imagery

4. A Story’s Structure

5. How to Create the Story Flow Map your ideas Draft into paragraphs
Revise using dialogue and show language (See next slides for examples)
Edit of convention mistakes

6. Show Language
The use of imagery to give the reader a sense of being in the action of the story

7. The pizza was delicious.

8. She was so angry.

9. The coffee was enjoyable.

10. Now you try…
In a group of four, you will change a weak, imprecise statement into a vivid, showing, imagery-laden statement.
Sentences will be assigned randomly.

11. The room was so messy.
The party was wild.
The class is exciting.
He is a “rad” skater.
The weather was bad.
The monster was really ugly

12. The morning was beautiful.
He hit the ball far.
He is sick
The classroom was chaos.
The restaurant was fancy.
She made a basket

13. Writing Your Own Short Story YOU re NOT telling a story about your favorite experience like you did in elementary school.
Realistic Fiction (believable characters and situations, but you make it up)
Narrative (someone is telling a story)
Could be funny, scary, etc. It’s up to you!
Needs some kind of theme (or lesson)
The title is important to the story
Brief (around 2 pages or so)
Few Characters
Needs a Grabber Lead – get to the action early.
Create rising action before revealing the climax.
Focus on ONE Climactic Event – There shouldn’t be too many things going on.
Needs dialogue! Characters need to talk.
Choose words and phrases that enhance the mood of the story and show characters’ emotions.
Be descriptive, but not overly detailed.
Leave the reader wanting more at the end!