BEGIN

Introduction

Elements

Language

END
 Instructions
Introduction
Progress through this exercise from slide to
slide. You are free to work at your own pace.
Storyline
Remember:
Story Elements
“Don’t wait for your boat of success to come in,
row out to meet it.”
Yes you can!
Model Story
Click here to see what the buttons mean.

Exercises Last Slide

Viewed
Next
End Show Slide
Previou
Home
s Slide
(This slide)

Click here to go to first slide

of each topic. END
 Introduction
Introduction
Short Story writing may seem like a daunting task to you
but you will find that it is quite manageable if you
Storyline remember that the main aim is for you to share with
your reader your creativity and appreciation for life
through a story. With planning and practice, you will
Story Elements
have so much fun that you will wonder what you had
been scared about!
Model Story

Exercises

END
 Introduction
Introduction
Your diction can make quite a difference to the
improvement of your writing skills. Diction is simply a
Storyline writer’s choice of words. Your choice of one word
instead of another can significantly improve the level of
your writing.
Story Elements
Keep your dictionary and thesaurus as two of your best
friends!
Model Story

Exercises

END
 Objectives
Introduction
By the end of this tutorial, you will be able to:
• Use your experiences creatively.
Storyline
• Develop storylines.
• Develop the ability to share real and imagined
Story Elements experiences creatively.
• Develop the ability to use language with precision,
clarity, and grammatical correctness.
Model Story
• Use figurative language.
• Organise and sequence ideas to communicate emotional
Exercises
and imaginative interpretation of experiences.

END
 Creating Storylines
Introduction
You have 450 words (about two pages) to develop a storyline.
A storyline is a problem that a character faces that needs to be
solved. Use the following techniques:
Storyline
Exposition - where you describe the setting and introduce the main
character (no more than two paragraphs)
A character may have a problem (conflict) with himself/herself,
Story Elements others or nature. You get to decide!
A problem which heightens as the character develops (plot
development)
Model Story Tension mounts as your readers wonder what will happen to your
main character (climax)
A solution surfaces just at the point where it seems that your
character will be defeated or something really unusual (but
Exercises believable!) happens.
Your character accepts the outcome (resolution). Your outcome does
not have to be nice and neatly wrapped up. Life is not often like that!

END
 Creating Storylines
Introduction
Additionally you get to decide who will tell your story.
Do you want to be the main person in your story and tell
Storyline it? Do you wish to observe someone else and tell the
story? This is called the Narrative Perspective.
Story Elements

Model Story

Exercises

END
 Narrative Perspective
Introduction
A story is a series of events arranged to elicit (remember to
use your dictionary and thesaurus in building your
vocabulary) the readers’ interest. The story can be shared
Storyline from the first person point of view where the narrator is the
main character in the story with he or she being integrally
involved in the story and uses the pronoun “ I”
Story Elements OR
You could decide to use of the third person point of view
where the storyteller/ narrator is not a character in the
Model Story story but an observer of the events as they occur and
shares the story.
Exercises
Tip! Examine the stimulus given carefully to decide your
narrative perspective. Think carefully how the narrative
perspective will help you to better tell the story.

END
 Stimulus
Introduction
The stimulus is embodied in the sentences and
instructions given which then “stimulates” the idea that
forms the basis for your story. Please remember that you
Storyline must follow the instructions that you are given and that
you cannot and you cannot change any of the words in
the stimulus. You can be asked to write a story
Story Elements beginning, ending or including a particular stimulus.
Sample Stimulus
“The phone rang once and stopped. It rang again. This
Model Story was it now.”
Write a story which includes these sentences.
When you get to the model story, you will note how it
Exercises
stimulated an idea for the writer and that none of the
original wording was changed.

!TIP
you cannot change
any word in the
stimulus to suit your END
purposes!
 Elements of a Story
Introduction
Whether in rivers, lakes, seas or oceans, water is a liquid
with the formula H20,- two hydrogen elements and one
Storyline oxygen. Wherever in the world you go water is- WATER!
Similarly, when writing a story there are essential elements
Story Elements
which make your story -a STORY! Click to see elements.

Exposition
Model Story

Character + Setting + Conflict + Climax + Resolution = STORY

Exercises

These elements comprise the plot of your story !

END
 Story Elements
Introduction
Click on each element for a description.
Storyline

Story Elements Exposition Conflict

Model Story

Resolution Climax
Exercises

END
 Exposition
Setting
Introduction
• Choose a morning. Go outside and look at the
scenery.
Storyline
• What would you tell someone about the day?
• What kind of person would take the time to view
Story Elements
the scenery?
• What could prevent someone from even noticing
Model Story
the scenery?
Exercises

Exposition Conflict
MORE

Resolution Climax END

 Exposition
Characters and Characterization
Introduction
A character can be simply a person just like you who faces many of
life's challenges. A character could also be an extra-terrestrial figment
Storyline of your imagination! Your character may react to life's varied
challenges in different way and may also be affected by his/her/its
mood .
Story Elements What is meant by mood?

You can use word choice (diction) and description to create

Model Story mood in your story. The words that you use help to create
certain effects. There are a variety of words that can express
a variety of emotions. As you write (and read) a story you
Exercises may feel happy, sad, lively, angry ecstatic, light-hearted,
buoyant, serious, grave reflective, pensive and other moods!
Exposition Conflict
MORE

Resolution Climax END

 Exposition
Characters and Characterization
Introduction
Your story must also take place somewhere. Your job is to
make both the character and the setting real for the reader.
Storyline
This is the first section of your story and is known as the
exposition.
Story Elements This is a short story so you must limit the number of
characters. Suggestion-no more that three characters
(inclusive of the main character).
Model Story Allow your character to use brief dialogue in conversation.

Exercises

Exposition Conflict
MORE

Resolution Climax END

 Exposition
Figures of Speech
Introduction
As this is a short story, do not vary your setting too much.
Keep your setting stable and use figurative language and
Storyline vivid descriptions to make your story memorable.
Figures of speech also termed figurative language gives life
Story Elements
to the mundane. It is language that is used in a non-literal
sense, adding “spice” to written and spoken language.
Figurative writing helps the creation in our minds based on
Model Story symbolic representations.
Research all the figures of speech. Some are given on the
next slide. See how many others you can find and use. The
Exercises
aim is for you to KNOW and USE these various figures of
speech in making language vivid.
Exposition Conflict
MORE

Resolution Climax END

 Examples of Figures of Speech
Introduction Point on each figure of speech below to get a definition.
alliteration
Storyline
pun allusion

Story Elements
simile analogy
Model Story

sarcasm irony
Exercises

Exposition Conflict personification metaphor

MORE

Resolution Climax END

 Exposition
Introduction
The EXPOSITION exposes (no pun intended) the
time and place of action to the (setting) and
Storyline provides a smooth introduction to the main
character. You will note that there is a contrast
Story Elements between nature and the feelings of the main
character who made the decision that his mood
would not be influenced by the weather.
Model Story

Exercises

Exposition Conflict
MORE

Resolution Climax END

 Conflict
Introduction
In the same way that you face challenges, your
main character must face a challenge that needs
Storyline
to be solved. As this is a short story, ensure that
your character faces ONE significant challenge
Story Elements

Model Story

Exercises

Exposition Conflict

Resolution Climax END

 Climax
Introduction
The climax is the highest point of tension when
the readers wonders what will become of the
Storyline
main character or how the main character will
respond as the crisis mounts
Story Elements

Model Story

Exercises

Exposition Conflict

Resolution Climax END

 Resolution
Introduction
This shows how the conflict is resolved
Storyline or how the problem is solved.

Story Elements

Model Story

Exercises

Exposition Conflict

Resolution Climax END

 Introduction to Model Story
Introduction

• Go to the next slide to read a story

Storyline
written by a fifth form student under
Story Elements
examination conditions.
• What do you think of his exposition?
Model Story

Exercises

END
 Model Short Story
Introduction The Hope of Ancestors.
The pregnant clouds outside kept out the sunlight. The morning was
bleak and the sky overcast. It was not surprising when the clouds gave
Storyline
birth to heavy droplets of water which hit against the rusty zinc. Clink!
Clink! The weather outside opposed my mood, yet I was happy. It was
the morning my ancestors and my generation had waited for. I was the
Story Elements
one. I was to recover lost hope although the weather demanded
laziness; I was in the mood to work. I was joyful, hopeful and felt the
strength that would enable me to move mountains. Generations had
Model Story fought before the fight I was to fight to bring back respect and hope to
my family. "Honey, will I pass?" I asked my wife, who was still half
asleep on the bed beside me. "Yes, of course you must," she replied. It
Exercises
was one of those precocious flairs. I had developed as a result of my
humble beginning: I could weather the weather whatever it was,
whether I liked it or not. Could I do it this morning?
123

END
 Model Short Story
Introduction The Hope of Ancestors.
I arrived at the examination centre early that morning. I sat and
watched my "opponents." The examination began. Everything was
Storyline
anxious except me - I was confident. I knew that I should pass; I must.
Throughout the five hours that the exam lasted everyone looked into
the eye of whomever they could. In those eyes was the look of dare.
Story Elements
Those examinations decided your destiny, your fate. So in that room
friends became enemies. Only one person would get through to study
law; one of about seventy persons. I fought the battle with the papers.
Model Story I demanded that post. Duty demanded it. It was like salvation to the
sinner. It was like food to the starving man. Poverty was nothing
anyone desired. You could be free yet incarcerated because of poverty.
Exercises
That exam was the verdict. The post was for the person who wanted it
the most. Ting-a-ling-a-ling! The bell signaled the end of the battle. I
had fought it well.
123

END
 Model Short Story
Introduction The Hope of Ancestors.
Two months later, I sat in my living room. The result would be
communicated via the telephone. It was the day of reckoning. Who
Storyline
wanted it more? I sat with the phone in my hand. My heart was beating:
thump! I thought my wife could hear it. My children sat with my wife
and I on the bed. The phone was to ring anytime now. There was a
Story Elements
deafening silence. We were all nervous. Instead of rain today however,
the sun blazed in the blue skies above. It was element weather. Was it
signifying success or was it failure? I did not know, we did not know. All
Model Story they knew and I know was that our life depended on it. I suddenly
remembered the vows I had made on my wedding day. If I failed, would
we have to get a divorce?" For better or worse…! I was nervous. Ring!
Exercises
Ring! The phone rang once. It rang again. That was it.
Written by: Sheldon Young (5M), Glenmiur High School, 2008
(Permission granted)
123

END
 PRACTICE EXERCISE
Introduction
Challenge yourself-Test your learning.
Storyline

Story Elements
Where in the story was the exposition?
Model Story

Exercises

END
 Model Short Story - The Exposition
See red italicized text

Introduction The Hope of Ancestors.

The pregnant clouds outside kept out the sunlight. The morning was
bleak and the sky overcast. It was not surprising when the clouds
Storyline gave birth to heavy droplets of water which hit against the rusty zinc.
Clink! Clink! The weather outside opposed my mood, yet I was happy.
It was the morning my ancestors and my generation had waited for. I
Story Elements was the one. I was to recover lost hope although the weather
demanded laziness; I was in the mood to work. I was joyful, hopeful
and felt the strength that would enable me to move mountains.
Generations had fought before the fight I was to fight to bring back
Model Story respect and hope to my family. "Honey, will I pass?" I asked my wife,
who was still half asleep on the bed beside me. "Yes, of course you
must," she replied. It was one of those precocious flairs. I had
Exercises developed as a result of my humble beginning: I could weather the
weather whatever it was, whether I liked it or not. Could I do it this
morning?
123

END
 Practice Exercise
Introduction
Where in the story are we introduced to
Storyline the conflict?

Story Elements

Model Story

Exercises

END
 Model Short Story – The Conflict
See red italicized text

Introduction The Hope of Ancestors.

I arrived at the examination centre early that morning. I sat and
watched my "opponents." The examination began. Everything was
Storyline
anxious except me - I was confident. I knew that I should pass; I must.
Throughout the five hours that the exam lasted everyone looked into
the eye of whomever they could. In those eyes was the look of dare.
Story Elements
Those examinations decided your destiny, your fate. So in that room
friends became enemies. Only one person would get through to study
law; one of about seventy persons. I fought the battle with the papers.
Model Story I demanded that post. Duty demanded it. It was like salvation to the
sinner. It was like food to the starving man. Poverty was nothing
anyone desired. You could be free yet incarcerated because of poverty.
Exercises
That exam was the verdict. The post was for the person who wanted it
the most. Ting-a-ling-a-ling! The bell signaled the end of the battle. I
had fought it well.
123

END
 Practice Exercise
Introduction

Storyline
Where would we find the climax?

Story Elements

Model Story

Exercises

END
 Model Short Story – The Climax
See red italicized text

Introduction The Hope of Ancestors.

Two months later, I sat in my living room. The result would be
Storyline communicated via the telephone. It was the day of reckoning.
Who wanted it more? I sat with the phone in my hand. My heart
was beating: thump! I thought my wife could hear it. My
Story Elements
children sat with my wife and I on the bed. The phone was to
ring anytime now. There was a deafening silence. We were all
nervous. Instead of rain today however, the sun blazed in the
Model Story
blue skies above. It was element weather. Was it signifying
success or was it failure? I did not know, we did not know. All
they knew and I know was that our life depended on it. I
Exercises suddenly remembered the vows I had made on my wedding day.
If I failed, would we have to get a divorce?" For better or worse…!
I was nervous. Ring! Ring! The phone rang once. It rang again.
That was it. 123

END
 Resolution
Introduction

Storyline
Where would we find the resolution?

Story Elements

Model Story

Exercises

END
 Model Short Story – The Resolution
See red italicized text

Introduction The Hope of Ancestors.

Two months later, I sat in my living room. The result would be
communicated via the telephone. It was the day of reckoning.
Storyline Who wanted it more? I sat with the phone in my hand. My heart
was beating: thump! I thought my wife could hear it. My children
sat with my wife and I on the bed. The phone was to ring
Story Elements anytime now. There was a deafening silence. We were all
nervous.
Instead of rain today however, the sun blazed in the blue skies
Model Story above. It was element weather. Was it signifying success or was
it failure? I did not know, we did not know. All they knew and I
know was that our life depended on it. I suddenly remembered
Exercises
the vows I had made on my wedding day. If I failed, would we
have to get a divorce?" For better or worse…! I was nervous.
Ring! Ring! The phone rang once. It rang again. That was it.
123

END
 Resolution?
Introduction
I know that you may be thinking that there is no
resolution but remember that life does not always
Storyline
have a neatly packaged ending! The writer
provides “nice suspense” at the end of the story.
Story Elements
You will however agree that the story is complete
and the suspense makes the story even more
Model Story interesting. Therefore, there is a resolution!

Exercises

END
 Practice Exercises
Introduction
Re-read the model story before doing the
Storyline practice exercises. Point and click on the
Model Story button to the left.
Story Elements To return to this slide, point and click on
the Exercises button to the left.
Model Story

Exercises

END
 Practice Exercise
Sentence Structure
Introduction Questions and Feedback
Do you notice the structure of the sentences used in the
Storyline exposition? You will note that the writer mainly uses compound
and complex sentences as he introduces the main character
and details the setting. This sentence structure helps to expose
Story Elements the exposition (all puns intended!).
Show examples.

Model Story Example 1: It was not surprising when the clouds gave birth to
heavy droplets of water which hit against the rusty zinc.
(complex sentence)
Exercises Example 2: I was joyful, hopeful and felt the strength that would
enable me to move mountains. (compound sentence)

Click the next button to see sentences highlighted in the story.

END
 Model Short Story
Highlighting Complex and Compound Sentences

Introduction The Hope of Ancestors. complex

sentence
The pregnant clouds outside kept out the sunlight. The morning was
bleak and the sky overcast. It was not surprising when the clouds gave
Storyline birth to heavy droplets of water which hit against the rusty zinc.
Clink! Clink! The weather outside opposed my mood, yet I was happy.
It was the morning my ancestors and my generation had waited for. I
Story Elements was the one. I was to recover lost hope although the weather
demanded laziness; I was in the mood to work. I was joyful, hopeful
and felt the strength that would enable me to move mountains. compound
Generations had fought before the fight I was to fight to bring back sentence
Model Story respect and hope to my family. "Honey, will I pass?" I asked my wife,
who was still half asleep on the bed beside me. "Yes, of course you
must," she replied. It was one of those precocious flairs. I had
Exercises developed as a result of my humble beginning: I could weather the
weather whatever it was, whether I liked it or not. Could I do it this
morning?

END
 Practice Exercise
Sentence Structure
Introduction
Do you notice the sentence structure used by the
writer as the climax approaches? Did you notice
Storyline
that the writer employed the use of short, simple
sentences which helped the tension to mount?
Story Elements

Show example.
Model Story
Example: The phone was to ring anytime now. There was
a deafening silence. We were all nervous.
Exercises
Click the next button to see sentence highlighted in
the story.

END
 Model Short Story
Introduction The Hope of Ancestors.
Two months later, I sat in my living room. The result would be
communicated via the telephone. It was the day of reckoning. Who
Storyline
wanted it more? I sat with the phone in my hand. My heart was beating:
thump! I thought my wife could hear it. My children sat with my wife Climax
and I on the bed. The phone was to ring anytime now. There was a
Story Elements
deafening silence. We were all nervous. Instead of rain today however,
the sun blazed in the blue skies above. It was element weather. Was it
signifying success or was it failure? I did not know, we did not know. All
Model Story they knew and I know was that our life depended on it. I suddenly
remembered the vows I had made on my wedding day. If I failed, would
we have to get a divorce?" For better or worse…! I was nervous. Ring!
Exercises
Ring! The phone rang once. It rang again. That was it.

END
 Practice Exercise
Figures of Speech
Introduction Identify the figures of speech used in the story.
Did you find …?
Storyline Example 1: The pregnant clouds outside kept out the
sunlight. (metaphor)
Example 2: I could weather the weather
Story Elements whatever it was, whether I liked it or not.
(pun)
Example 3: It was like salvation to the sinner. (simile)
Model Story Example 4: There was a deafening silence. (oxymoron)
There are others for you to find. Identify them.
Exercises

END
 Practice Exercise
Use of Dialogue
Introduction
Do you notice how brief dialogue was in this story/Do you
also notice that it is used by the writer to introduce the
Storyline conflict?

Story Elements "Honey, will I pass?" I asked my wife, who was still half
asleep on the bed beside me.
"Yes, of course you must," she replied.
Model Story

Ensure that your dialogue severs a purpose. It can reveal a

Exercises character’s personality, extend the setting or a specific
purpose to fit your story. Each character’s dialogue goes in a
separate line.

END
 Review – True or False?
Introduction
Point and click on the True or False button to indicate your
response.
Storyline

Story Elements Exposition is used anywhere in story writing. True False

Conflict can be internal, external, with nature True False

Model Story
Figures of speech are used mainly when speaking. True False

Exercises Resolution must be neat. True False

END
 Your Time to Write
Introduction
Instructions
• Try the story topics on the next three slides and share
Storyline your story with your friends and your teacher.
• Your answer to this section must be between 400-450
words in length. You must write in Standard English. It is
Story Elements however admissible to use dialect in brief conversation.
• Ensure that your story has the four main aspects of a
story!
Model Story Click to review story elements.
Exposition

Exercises
Character + Setting + Conflict + Climax + Resolution = STORY

END
 Go right ahead! Item 1
Introduction
“The day had come. Everything was ready.
Storyline All the waiting and preparation was over.
Suddenly –Boom! BOOM! BOOM! Three
Story Elements terrific explosions!”

Model Story
Write a story beginning with these words.
Exercises

Items: 1 2 3

END
 Go right ahead! Item 2
Introduction
“His mother looked him full in the eye and
Storyline asked, are you sure that is all?”

Story Elements
Write a story which ends with the statement
above.
Model Story

Exercises

Items: 1 2 3

END
 Go right ahead! Item 3
Introduction
“Suddenly the car did a high speed u-turn
Storyline and roared off. The driver must have
smelled a rat.”
Story Elements

Write a story which includes these words.

Model Story

Exercises

Items: 1 2 3

END
 Remember to share
Introduction

Storyline
Share your story with everyone.

Story Elements

Model Story
!TIP
Exercises Check your story
against each story
element first!

END