CLASS IX

STORY WRITING
✍️ What is Story Writing?

Story writing is an art of narrating events in a structured and engaging way. It must have a clear plot, characters, a setting,
and a moral/message (if required).

FORMAT

 Word Limit: 150–200 words

 Assessment Criteria:

1. Title & Moral

2. Content

3. Fluency & Grammar

4. Creativity & Coherence

RULES & TIPS FOR STORY WRITING

1. Title

 Must be catchy and relevant.

 Should give a hint about the theme.

2. Introduction

 Set the scene: Introduce characters, time, and place.

 Begin with action, dialogue, or a catchy hook to draw the reader in.

3. Body (Development of Plot)

 Follow a chronological sequence or flashback.

 Introduce a problem/conflict.

 Build suspense or interest.

 Use paragraphs for clarity.

4. Climax

 The turning point of the story.

 Should be interesting and dramatic.

5. Conclusion

 Resolve the conflict.

 Provide a message or moral, if applicable.

 End logically and satisfyingly.

 Use past tense generally (unless format demands otherwise).

 Use direct and indirect speech to add variety.

 Be original and creative.

 Use adjectives and adverbs to enrich the language.

 Use linkers/connectives: suddenly, then, however, therefore, etc.

❌ DON’Ts

 Don't exceed the word limit (200 words max).

 Don't write a dull or unfinished ending.

 Avoid overcomplicating the plot.

 Avoid grammatical or spelling mistakes.

HANDY PHRASES FOR STORY WRITING

 “Once upon a time…”

 “To everyone’s surprise…”

 “Little did he know that…”

 “Suddenly, out of nowhere…”

 “In the end, he realized that…”

SAMPLE BEGINNING SENTENCES

1. Given Beginning:
“It was a stormy night, and I was alone at home when…”
→ Continue with suspense or action.

2. Own Beginning:
“The clock struck twelve, and a loud noise startled me out of sleep…”
→ Introduce a mystery or conflict.

1. ADVANCED NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES

 Flashback: Start the story in the present and shift back to the past.

“As I stood in the courtroom, memories of that fateful day flooded back…”

 Foreshadowing: Give hints about what will happen later.

“He had no idea that the letter he held would change everything.”

 Twist Ending: Conclude with an unexpected or ironic twist.

“And then I realized — the thief was my own brother.”

 In Medias Res: Begin the story in the middle of action.

“Run! Don’t look back!” shouted Aryan as the building collapsed behind us.
2. CHARACTER DEPTH

Instead of just naming characters, develop personalities:

 Show thoughts, fears, motivations.

 Use dialogue to reveal character traits.

“I don’t care what it costs,” she whispered, “I have to know the truth.”

3. VIVID SETTING & ATMOSPHERE

Use sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) to make the setting come alive:

The cold wind sliced through my coat, and the distant howl of a dog added to my unease…

Use adjectives and metaphor/simile:

The alley was as dark as midnight ink.

4. PLOT STRUCTURING (5-POINT ARC)

1. Exposition – Set up characters, setting, and background.

2. Rising Action – Introduce and develop the conflict.

3. Climax – Peak moment of tension or decision.

4. Falling Action – Consequences of the climax.

5. Resolution – Wrap-up or final impact (can be open-ended).

5. SOPHISTICATED LANGUAGE TOOLS

Encourage the use of:

 Figurative Language (metaphor, simile, personification)

 Symbolism (e.g., a broken watch symbolizing lost time)

 Parallelism (repetition for emphasis)

 Dialogue Tags (e.g., murmured, exclaimed, whispered)

6. MORAL INTEGRATION (SUBTLE)

Instead of stating the moral directly:

 Let readers infer the message.

 Use the character’s realization or transformation to convey the message.

As she watched the sun rise, she knew she’d never ignore her inner voice again.

ADVANCED WRITING TIPS

Area Strategy

Tense Consistency Stick to past tense unless flashbacks or present tense are deliberate.

Voice Variety Use both active and passive voice strategically.

Pacing Slow down during emotional moments; speed up during action scenes.
 Area Strategy

Transitions Use seamless connectors: Meanwhile, All of a sudden, At that moment…

Grammar Avoid run-on sentences and comma splices. Proofread.

EXAM-LEVEL TIP

Creativity is appreciated but clarity and structure are prioritized. An excellently written story with poor coherence or
missed moral may not score full marks.

SAMPLES:

1. Write a story in 150–200 words based on the following beginning:

Title: The Message in the Bottle

Ravi was playing near the river when he noticed something strange floating. It looked like an old glass
bottle with a piece of paper inside. Curious, he waded into the water and retrieved it. The bottle was tightly
sealed with a cork, and the paper inside looked yellowed and fragile. With careful hands, Ravi opened it and
pulled out the note. It read: “Help me. Trapped in the old warehouse near the banyan tree. – A Friend.” Ravi’s
heart skipped a beat. Was this a prank? Or a real cry for help? He ran to the nearby banyan tree. Behind it stood
an abandoned warehouse. Summoning courage, Ravi entered. The place was dark and smelled of damp wood.
Suddenly, he heard a faint voice. “Over here…” A boy was tied up in a corner! Ravi quickly freed him and
rushed for help. Later, the boy revealed that he had been kidnapped and managed to toss the message into the
river, hoping someone would find it. Ravi became the local hero, not because he found a bottle, but because he
chose to act.

Moral: Courage and presence of mind can turn an ordinary person into a hero.

2. Write a story in 150–200 words based on the ending with the sentence:
“That’s when I knew — sometimes, losing something teaches you its true value.”

Title: The Lost Bracelet

Sneha had always worn the silver bracelet her grandmother gifted her on her tenth birthday. It wasn’t studded
with gems or fancy in any way, but it held deep sentimental value. Over the years, she started taking it for granted,
wearing it less often and keeping it tucked away in drawers. One day, while helping her mother clean the house,
Sneha realized the bracelet was missing. She turned her room upside down—emptying shelves, digging through
old boxes—but it was nowhere to be found. Panic set in. Memories of her grandmother flooded her mind—her
warm hugs, bedtime stories, the way she tied the bracelet on Sneha’s wrist and whispered, “For strength and
love.” Sneha felt an ache she hadn’t expected. The bracelet wasn’t just an ornament—it was a piece of her past,
her bond with her grandmother. A week later, while checking her old school bag, she found it tangled in the
lining. Relief washed over her, followed by guilt and gratitude. That’s when I knew — sometimes, losing
something teaches you its true value.

Moral: We often fail to appreciate the true worth of people or things until we lose them. Cherish what you have
before it's gone.
Story Writing Exercises (150–200 words):

1. Story Starting Line "It was past midnight when I heard a knock on the door..."
👉 Develop a story with suspense or mystery. Create an unexpected visitor or a surprising twist.

2. Story Ending Line "And that day, I learned the importance of honesty."
👉 Create a plot involving a lie, mistake, or secret that ends with the character learning a lesson.

3. Title-Based Prompt Title: The Last Bus

4. Story Starting Line "Aryan had always dreamed of flying, but he never imagined it would actually happen
like this..."
👉 A fantasy or adventure story where something unexpected makes his dream come true.

5. Story Ending Line "I walked away with a smile, knowing I had made a difference."
👉 Set up a story where the main character helps someone, stands up for something, or overcomes fear.

6. Based on a Moral Moral to build around: “Hard work always pays off.”
👉 Create a story where the character overcomes challenges through consistent effort.

7. Picture-Based Prompt (Describe & Develop) Imagine a picture of:

 A crowded railway platform in the rain

 A child looking longingly into a bakery window

👉 Choose one and write a story around what might be happening or what happens next.