Writing Workshop Narrative Writing: Short Story

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Writing WorkshopNarrative Writing Short Story
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Short Story Assignment
Assignment Write an original short story with a
moral lesson.
On page 33, Doli advises Maibon to wish for
something practical and then gives him several
suggestions. Choose a suggestion, and write a
short story about how that wish could go wrong.
You can use Maibon and his wife as characters or
invent new ones if you prefer. Be sure your
moral lesson is clear.
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Short StoryPrewriting Choosing a Story Idea

• Explore particular problems with Maibons
  choices.

A hazelwood twig to help you find water if
your well ever goes dry An axe that never
needs sharpening A cook pot always brimming
with food

• What could possibly go wrong with any of these
  ideas?

End of section
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Short StoryPrewriting Inventing Your Characters
Think of your characters You may use Maibon and
the others, or create new ones. Answer these
questions

1. What makes the character interesting?

2. What problems does the character face?
3. What does the character look like?
4. What is the character afraid of?
5. What do others say about the character?
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Short StoryPrewriting Building a Plot
Plan to include these four elements in the
action, or plot, or your story.

• a conflict or problem

• a series of events that build action

• a climax when the problem is solved

• a resolution that works things out

Show me.
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Short StoryPrewriting Building a Plot
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Short StoryPrewriting Building a Plot
Heres how one student plotted her story.
Conflict Maibon is greedy for more wealth so he
wont have to work so hard.
Climax Maibons son gets ill, and he cant afford
to pay for a doctor.

• Series of Events
• Meets Doli and wishes for gold.
• 2. Spends most of it on useless things and wont
  help friends who need it.
• 3. Governor imposes outrageous taxes out of
  jealousy.

Resolution Maibons son survives, but it is
lucky. Life goes on as it was before the gold,
but now he has no friends.
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Short StoryPrewriting Planning Your Setting
Use descriptive details to clearly define the
time and place of your storys setting.
How much time will pass?
Will the location change?
When and where will the story begin?
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Short StoryPrewriting Planning Your Setting
A cluster diagram can help you gather sensory
details about your setting. Use these details
throughout your story.
Sights cluttered
Sounds bubbling
Smells smoky
Setting laboratory
Feelings scary
Tastes metallic
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Short StoryDrafting Getting Started
Now its time to start writing your story! All of
your details may not be firm in your mind, but
youll be surprised how your ideas will flow once
you start.
Dont worry if your writing strays from your
prewriting notes. Take a chance, and see where
your imagination leads you!
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Writing WorkshopNarrative Writing Short Story
The End