OBJECTIVES

• To become familiarised with famous short stories

• To identify what elements we need to write a short story

• To make them aware of the existence of blogs to share their stories

1. PLOT and STRUCTURE

Plan your story on paper. Think who is it about? What is

going to happen in the end? What exciting and interesting things will

happen along the way?►A well structured story, having a beginning, middle and an

appropriate end.

Plan a SHORT beginning and a SHORT ending – most of the story should be the middle where

things happen and characters think and feel.

● A ‘punchy’ start that ‘grabs’ the readers attention.

● Keep your reader informed of what is happening, and what characters are thinking and

feeling

● A resolution in your ending (e.g. solving a problem). Plan your last sentence – ending with a

punch will make your reader smile.

1. PLOT and STRUCTURE

►Plot is what happens, the storyline, the action.

· Complication.  One or more problems that keep a character from

their intended goal.

· Climax.  When the rising action of the story reaches the peak.

· Resolution. When the internal or external conflict is resolve.

• http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-stories-red-riding-hood-popup.htm

2. CHARACTERS and DIALOGUES

► Keep to two main characters

Protagonist. It is your main character, so you want to know everything about this person. Give

this character a goal or desire and then set up obstacles to the achievement to that goal.

Antagonist is the main obstacle your protagonist must confront to reach his or her goal. Often

the antagonist will materialize as a secondary character or group of characters in the plot.

● Know your characters. You should know as much as possible about your characters, from

what their central motivations are to what their favorite foods are. You won’t include all this

information in your story, but the more you know, the more your characters will come to life, both

for you and for the reader.

Age Job Ethnicity Appearance Residence Hobbies Single or married?

Children?

Temperament Secrets? Strong memories? Any illnesses?

2. CHARACTERS and DIALOGUES

► Write meaningful dialogue● Dialogue is what your characters say to each other (or to themselves).

•      "Where are you going?" John asked nervously.     "To the racetrack," Mary said, trying to figure out whether John was too upset to let her get away with it this time.     "Not again," said John, wondering how they would make that month's rent. "We are already maxed out on our credit cards.“

• Remember tu use the right punctuation.? ! “”

3. CREATIVITY

► You don’t have to be original – only interesting! - it is a good idea to adapt a few stories that you know well.

► Use setting and context● Close your eyes and picture your characters within desert, jungle, or suburb--whichever setting shaped them. ● Include enough detail to let your readers picture the scene.

►Let your head go! ● Use your imagination and include fantasy, dreams, fantastic creatures or any element you can think of. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PO6ge7Y5NQ&feature=related

WRITE IT AND BLOG IT!

• http://davidpmsblog.blogspot.com/

• https://www.blogger.com/start

CONCLUSION

• Can you now tell popular short stories?

• Do you know what elements are needed to write a good short story?