Writing a short story

Feature Menu

Assignment
Prewriting Find a Story Idea

Plan Your Story

Practice and Apply

Writing a Short Story

A short story is a work of fiction, but it can be based on real events. Think about events in the world
an earthquake; a heroic water rescue

in your life
competing in a sports; welcoming a baby brother

in someone elses life

an aunts wilderness adventure; a neighbors brush with stardom

Writing a Short Story

Use your imagination for story ideas. Dream up people and animals
a quirky young princess; a man who sleeps standing up

places and worlds

a city in 2050; an icy planet

adventures and problems

coming face to face with an tiger; opening a soup kitchen
[End of Section]

Writing a Short Story

Every story has five basic ingredients: PlotWhat happens in the story? CharactersWho are the people in your story? Point of View Who will narrate, or tell, your story? Setting Where and when does your story take place? ThemeWhat idea about life does your story illustrate?

Writing a Short Story

Plot Build the plot of your short story around a conflict, a struggle between opposing forces. External conflict Internal conflict

Writing a Short Story

Plot and External Conflicts
Character versus character Hector and his best friend James are both trying for first prize in the school talent show.

Character versus environment

Miguel gets caught in a blizzard and must find ways to stay warm until help arrives. Character versus situation Cynthia battles city hall to start a meal delivery service for seniors in her community.

Writing a Short Story

Plot and Internal Conflict
Character versus himself or herself (a struggle between conflicting ideas and feelings within a character) David wants to take Tasha to the dance, but he has already committed to babysitting that night.

Writing a Short Story

Elements of Plot Expositionintroduction of characters and conflict

Rising actionevents leading to the climax Climaxemotional high point of the story
Resolutionoutcome of conflict
Climax Exposition Event Resolution

Event

Event

Event

Writing a Short Story

Developing Plot Use narrative details to bring your story to life. Describe your characters actions movements gestures feelings
a buzz in the auditorium; students from every grade filing in, carrying costumes and props; Hector and James waving to each other but sitting on different sides of the room

Writing a Short Story

Arranging Plot Events Arrange the events in chronological order, the order in which they actually occur. Use flashbacks to provide background information.
Event 1 audition day Event 2 Hector and James kid about whos going to win. Event 3 Hector rehearses his act. Event 4 the big night

Flashback Hector and James meet each other for the first time.

Writing a Short Story

The Pace of the Plot Pace the action of your plot to reflect the mood youre trying to create. Slow pacetense but thoughtful mood
Hector practically drags his feet as he walks up to the cafeteria table to sit with James.

Fast pacefeeling of excitement or anxiety

The curtains part. Hector takes deep breath. His heart pounds in his chest.

Writing a Short Story

Prewriting: Plan Your Story

Characters Appearance How does my main character look?

dark brown hair, tall and thin, neat, stylish

What are his or her mannerisms?

taps his pencil, rubs his chin when thinking

How does he or she act, think, feel, and talk?

proud of musical talent, serious, competitive
Supporting Characters

Writing a Short Story

Setting Setting can play a major role in a short story, or it can be relatively unimportant. Setting can also affect mood.

Writing a Short Story

Setting Use sensory detailswords describing sights, sounds, and smellsto help readers picture the setting.
Sights Sounds Smells

a jam-packed auditorium, students pacing backstage, red velvet stage curtains

a student warming up on trumpet; microphone feedback; muffled conversations

faint hint of wood cleaner; musty clothing and mothballs; a girls strong perfume; hairspray

Writing a Short Story

Theme What idea about life does your story illustrate? Use your characters, plot, setting, and point of view to suggest your theme.
As long as the spirit of competition does not turn bitter, good friends can compete with each other and still remain close. Their friendship might even become stronger.

[End of Section]

Writing a Short Story

Point of View Third Person Omniscientan outside observer tells the story using third-person pronouns (he, she, they). This narrator sees all and knows all and can use shifting perspectives to reveal different characters thoughts, feelings, and attitudes.
Hector walked into the crowded auditorium. The whole room was buzzing with excitement. When Hector and his best friend James spotted each other, they both tensed.
Interior Monologue