Writing stories is fun BUT there are a few things that you have to think about before you start writing Your story will be much better/ more interesting when you have a close look at this planning sheet After reading it you should make your own planning sheet, fill it out and then……grab your pen and some paper and there you go! Setting: Where does it take place When does it take place WHERE: -A big city -Japan, The U.S.A etc -In the sea -At an amusement park -At home WHEN: -In the past, present or future -During a birthday party -During a holiday -During a lesson at school Characters: How they/he/she feel How old are they is he/she How they look FEELINGS: Sad, happy, nervous, excited, sick, tired, athletic etc AGE: Twelve, fourteen, eighty, one-hundred etc APPEARANCE: Fat, skinny, short, tall, handsome, cute, ugly, casual, punky etc Conflict / problem: -Caught cheating -Fell in the water -Broke some eggs -Lost keys, wallet, direction -Forgot homework -Got an injury -Fell down the stairs -Was too late for class for the third time End of the story Solution problem Development of the story: Describe what happens when he/she/they for EXAMPLE: Went to see a doctor Had to go to the principal Was/were punished Stay in bed for weeks of the -Had regret and talked it over -Got medicine -Made it up -Made agreements -Made promises -Bought a new lock (lost keys) A story usually has a happy ending BUT that’s all up to the writer of course Decide for yourself and remember….never cut off a story and leave the readers confused SOME TIPS: Use exciting words (adverbs/adjectives) but not too many! You may want to use some of these so called ‘’sentence/paragraph starters’’ A couple of hours/minutes later, after awhile, suddenly, just then, almost immediately, the next morning/day, eventually, at ….o’ clock, finally CHECKLIST WHEN YOU’VE FINISHED YOUR STORY: Do all the sentences begin with a capital letter? Have you put commas, full stops, question marks and exclamation marks in the story? Are you sure that there are no words missing? Have you used the correct tense throughout the story? Are there adjectives and adverbs to describe people/things? Does the story make sense? You can use this blank template to make your own planning sheet Look at the example above to get an idea Be creative!!