1. Developing Storyline Creative Writing Techniques Mrs. McLaughlin

2. Theme Directions: Choose a “theme” for your story. When you write a theme, you do not mention characters. Directions: Choose a “theme” for your story. When you write a theme, you do not mention characters. Example: Do not judge a book by its cover. Example: Do not judge a book by its cover. Example: The easy way is not always the best way. Example: The easy way is not always the best way. Example: What goes around comes around. Example: What goes around comes around. Example: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Example: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Example: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Example: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Example: Things aren’t always what they seem to be. Example: Things aren’t always what they seem to be. Example: Slow and steady wins the race. Example: Slow and steady wins the race. Example: Don’t talk to strangers. Example: Don’t talk to strangers. Example: If you play with fire, you may get burned. Example: If you play with fire, you may get burned. Example: If the going gets tough, YOU get going! Example: If the going gets tough, YOU get going! Example: Mind over matter. Example: Mind over matter. Example: Keep your chin-up and don’t let bad things get you down. Example: Keep your chin-up and don’t let bad things get you down. Example: Be careful for what you wish for. Example: Be careful for what you wish for. Example: For every cloud, there is a silver lining. Example: For every cloud, there is a silver lining. Example: Rules are made for a reason. Example: Rules are made for a reason. Example: Stand up for what you believe in Example: Stand up for what you believe in Example: Better to be safe than sorry! Example: Better to be safe than sorry! Example: The grass is not always greener on the other side. Example: The grass is not always greener on the other side. Example: Think before you speak. Example: Think before you speak. “The Wizard of Oz”: There is no place like home. “The Wizard of Oz”: There is no place like home. Your Theme: Your Theme:

3. Characters Directions: Write up to three main characters with a detailed description. Specifically identify the protagonist and antagonist. Directions: Write up to three main characters with a detailed description. Specifically identify the protagonist and antagonist. Protagonist: Usually the hero of the story trying to accomplish a goal. Protagonist: Usually the hero of the story trying to accomplish a goal. Antagonist: The person or animal trying to prevent the protagonist from achieving his/her goal. Antagonist: The person or animal trying to prevent the protagonist from achieving his/her goal. Example: Dorothy: Dorothy is a naïve, young girl who who is trying to return home. She is the protagonist because she is the one trying to accomplish the goal of returning home and learns the lesson. Example: Dorothy: Dorothy is a naïve, young girl who who is trying to return home. She is the protagonist because she is the one trying to accomplish the goal of returning home and learns the lesson. Example: The Wicked Witch: The antagonist is the Wicked Witch who is preventing Dorothy from returning home by sending monkeys out to capture her. Example: The Wicked Witch: The antagonist is the Wicked Witch who is preventing Dorothy from returning home by sending monkeys out to capture her. Example: Other characters: Example: Other characters: 1. The Tin Man: He helps Dorothy to achieve her goal of returning home by assisting her to see the Wizard. He also needs a heart. 1. The Tin Man: He helps Dorothy to achieve her goal of returning home by assisting her to see the Wizard. He also needs a heart. 2. The Lion: He helps Dorothy too and needs courage. 2. The Lion: He helps Dorothy too and needs courage. 3. The Scarecrow: He also helps Dorothy to the Wizard and needs brains. 3. The Scarecrow: He also helps Dorothy to the Wizard and needs brains. Your Protagonist: Your Protagonist: Your Antagonist: Your Antagonist: Other Important Characters: Other Important Characters: 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3.

4. Problem Directions: Identify the main problem of your story. Directions: Identify the main problem of your story. Example: A tornado struck Dorothy’s home sending her into a new land. Now she needs to get home, but a wicked witch is trying to capture her. Example: A tornado struck Dorothy’s home sending her into a new land. Now she needs to get home, but a wicked witch is trying to capture her. Your Problem: Your Problem:

5. Solution Directions: Identify how the problem is solved. Directions: Identify how the problem is solved. Example: Through the help of her three friends, the lion, the scarecrow, and the tin man, Dorothy melts the witch with water. The Good-Witch then sends her home because Dorothy has learned her lesson that “There is no place like home.” She no longer takes her family and home for granted and has learned to appreciate them. Example: Through the help of her three friends, the lion, the scarecrow, and the tin man, Dorothy melts the witch with water. The Good-Witch then sends her home because Dorothy has learned her lesson that “There is no place like home.” She no longer takes her family and home for granted and has learned to appreciate them.