DHA SENIOR SCHOOL & COLLEGE
STORY WRITING
Objectives:
Students will be able to
Identify different elements of story
writing.
Create a story with a given starter.
What is Story Writing?
Story writing refers to the method of writing in which
the writer narrates a series of events that has led to a
problem, the progression of the same and the end
result that has led to the current situation of the
characters in the story.
A story can be about a real or fictional incident
including real-life or imaginary characters.
Components of a Story
Every story is expected to have the five components namely,
• Characters
• Setting
• Plot
• Theme
• Conflict
Characters
No story is complete without a character.
Every story would either revolve around multiple
characters or a single character.
Characters drive the story.
Having strong characters of all types (funny, serious,
clever, innocent, etc.) is what will make the story
interesting and intriguing.
Setting
The term ‘setting’ refers to the physical surroundings
in which the story takes place.
The whereabouts of the characters might also
contribute to the setting of the story. The setting of a
story can be a forest, a house, a street, space or
outer universe, a small island, a train and even
someone’s mind.
It is up to the writer to include all the details that they
think would make the story more colourful.
Plot
The plot of a story refers to what goes on in a story or what the
story is about.
A plot includes various courses of events/actions, climactic
points and resolution.
After all, a well-woven plot is what will help you form a good and
strong story.
A plot is comprises five different elements, namely,
Plot
• Exposition – The point at which the characters and setting of the story are
presented; in other terms, the beginning of the story.
• Rising action – The point in the story when the main character comes across an
action or a course of events that becomes an impediment or a conflict in the
otherwise undisturbed peaceful life of the main character and those around them.
• Climax – The most intriguing part of a story which also becomes the turning
point of the story.
• Falling action – This includes actions or events that lead to the conclusion. This
point describes the positive or negative turn of events that has taken place as a
result of the protagonist’s decision at the climax. At this point, you can also see
how the various characters work together or alone to solve the problem or
conflict.
• Conclusion – This point in the story marks the end. It is here that you get to
know how everything has settled. The conclusion, be it a happy or a sad one, is
the end result of the falling action.
Plot
Theme
The theme of a story is the idea or subject that
pervades the whole story.
This is the concept on which the whole story
revolves.
Examples of themes can be family relationships,
music, love and romance, war, rebellion, etc.
For instance, the theme of the animated film ‘Coco’ is
love for music and the importance of family, and the
theme of the animated films ‘Brave’ and ‘Moana’ is
breaking out of social norms and following your heart.
Conflict:
The term ‘conflict’ refers to the problem in the story.
When all is going on well, there is one point in the story
when the main characters come across an obstacle
that impedes their journey to achieve a set goal.
The conflict is what gets the protagonist to move out of
their comfort zone, face the antagonist, act bravely to
solve the problem and find ways to attain their goal.
Format of the story:
Basically, every story should have a
beginning, middle and end.
A story without any one of these would look
and sound incomplete.
Class Work
Writea story between 150-200 words with a
given starter:
Wandering through the graveyard it felt like
something was watching me…
Be sure to:
• Revise - Check for Content
• Edit - Check for Grammar, Usage, and Spelling
• A Final Copy Should Be
FLAWLESS!
