STORY DEVELOPMENT

English Foundations

Unit 2: Short Stories

WHAT IS A STORY?

Most stories tell a narrative, or a

sequence of events

Most stories, regardless of the topic,

tell the sequence of events in a similar

way with specific stages

STORY MAPS

Story maps show the development of the story

The story map shows the 5 stages (sections) of a

story

THE 5 STAGES OF THE STORY

Exposition: introduces the characters,

setting, and background information

Rising action: presents conflicts that make

the story more and more complicated

Climax: the biggest conflict of the story

Falling action/Resolution: explains the results

of the climax and how the characters move on

EXAMPLE: Read each statement and place the number on the story map.

1.Shrek lives alone in a swamp, content to be an ogre.

2.The Prince issues a law throwing all the magical creatures out of the kingdom,

so the creatures move to Shrek’s swamp. They refuse to leave.

3. Shrek sets off a journey to see the Prince. Along the way, he meets Donkey.

Donkey insists on coming with Shrek, even though Shrek doesn’t want him to.

4.The Prince promises to get the creatures our of Shrek’s swamp if Shrek

rescues the Princess Fiona.

5.Fiona has a secret: every night, she turns into an ogre. Although she likes

Shrek, she can’t decide if she should tell him the secret or not. She fears that

if he knew, he would hate her.

6.Shrek and Donkey argue over Fiona; Donkey believes Shrek should rescue her,

but Shrek is afraid of being hurt.

7.Shrek decides to stop Fiona’s wedding to the Prince.

8.The sun sets, and Fiona turns into an ogre. Shrek and Fiona fight off the

Prince’s soldiers and win. When Shrek and Fiona kiss, Fiona stays as an ogre.

Shrek assures Fiona that she is beautiful as she is.

9.Shrek and Fiona get married and go on their honeymoon. The rest of the

animals have a party. Donkey and the Dragon fall in love, too.