SHORT STORY

WRITING

Simple Steps in Mastering Short Stories

Presenter
Jody-Ann Phillips Campbell
 Story writing is an excellent way to display your
creative energy.
Through reading, you enhance your vocabulary as well
as develop exciting ideas for your story.
 What is a Short Story?

A short story is a brief work of literature

usually written in prose. Emerging from
earlier oral storytelling traditions in the 17th
century, the short story has grown
tremendously over the years.
How long should my short story be?
Your short story can be between 400-450 words
long.
 Think on these things
Before you begin writing your story you
may want to think about the following:
Write a list of the elements of a story.
namely, character, setting, plot, etc. This
way you will not forget the essential
elements of the story.
Your audience (the reader of your story)
Which point of view/perspective will you
write from?
What will the main conflict be?
How will the conflict be resolved?
 Be Sure to Also Note!
Is the beginning of the story gripping?
Does the story have characters and are
they realistic?
Is the setting appropriate for the actions
of the characters?
Is the plot of the story vivid and can be
easily followed by readers?
Is the conflict of the story included and is
the conflict resolved by the time the
story ends?
 Elements of a Short Story

Characters- A character is a person,

or sometimes even an animal, who
takes part in the action of a short
story or other literary work.
Characters can be adults, children,
objects or animals.
 Elements of a Short Story
Setting- A place and time for the action
of the story to happen. You have to
ensure that you create a backdrop for
your story. Place your characters in
settings that are effective in revealing
the situations that you present in your
story.
Authors often use descriptions of
landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or
whether to provide a strong sense of
setting.
 Elements of the Story

Plot-This is a series of events that

unfold throughout a story. A good
plot captures attention and makes
the reader of your story want to
keep reading. Events that unfold in
the plot can be based on real-life
experiences or may come
completely out of your imagination.
 Elements of the Story Contd
Plan the plot of your story by writing the
answers to these questions:
Problem: What problem must the
characters
face? What will happen in the beginning,
middle and end.
Climax: What will be the turning point of
the
action? What will make readers sit on the
edge of their seats?
Resolution: How will the problem in the
story be solved?
 Elements
The conflict which is a part of the plot is a struggle
between two people or things in a short story. The main
character is usually on one side of the central conflict.
On the other side, the main character may struggle
against another important character, against the forces
of nature, against society, or even against something
inside himself or herself (feelings, emotions, illness).
 Elements

Theme- The theme is the central idea of

the story. Your story must have a main
focus and in order to achieve this focus
you might want to think about your
intention while writing your story.
Ask yourself the following:
Is the story intended to make the reader
laugh, cry, angry?
 Point of View
Point of View refers to the perspective
from which the story is told.
There are different types of point of
views from which the story can be told:
1. First Person - The story is told by the
protagonist or one of the characters who
interacts closely with the protagonist or
other characters who are a part of the
action of the story. This perspective
usually incorporates the use of the
pronouns I, me, we, etc. The reader sees
the story through this person's eyes as
he/she experiences it and only knows
what he/she knows or feels.
 Point of View

2. Third Person- The third person point of

view is when the story is told from the
perspective of an onlooker. The third
person narrator is not a part of the
action of the story. The third person
perspective uses the pronouns pronouns
they, she, he, it, etc. We know only what
the character knows based on what is said
by the author. We can see the thoughts
and feelings of characters if the author
chooses to reveal them to us.
 Devices/Techniques that can be
used to add Interest to your
Storymay be defined as
Flashback-A flashback
the events that happened before the
events that are currently unfolding in a
story. These earlier events are usually
inserted into the normal chronological
flow of a narrative.
Flashbacks are often revealed through a
memory or a confession of a character
and are used to help readers to gain a
better understanding of a present
situation.
 Devices Continued
Twist- the element of surprise or the
unexpected end to a story.
Dialogue- this always adds interest to the
story if used effectively. At times it is
better to get the direct words of
characters rather than get a second hand
account.
Suspense- Suspense is what keeps the
reader interested in your story. Try to
make the plot of your story as suspense
riddled as possible. Let the reader wait
for your unexpected end.
Using Figurative Language in
your Stories (Improve your
Expression)
Figurative language can be defined as any
language that employs the use of literary
devices such as metaphors, simile,
personification etc.
When you use these devices in your
stories they are enriched and readers
become captivated by your work.
Literary devices help you to plant your
stories in the minds of readers.
Let us examine some sentences
Sentence 1: The breeze blew the trees.
Sentence 2: The trees bent and stretched in all their
glory as they were vigorously caressed by the wind.
Sentence 1: Dawns dress looked so beautiful.
Sentence 2: Dawns dress was as dazzling as the bright
moonlight that graced the night with its presence.
Which sentences are more effective?
Now compare your sentences and try to realize which
sentences do a better job.
Let us Examine some Effective ways
to Start our Stories
First Draft
The corner was so dark and I tried my
best not to be afraid. The place had tall
trees and they created really scary
shadows that scared me very much. It was
then I hit the pavement and all went
dark.

Is this an effective start for your story?

Is the language used effective?
 Lets Revise

As I stood there lost in my own thoughts and crippled by

fear, I knew there was something that was strange and
eerie about this dark corner on Solomon Street. It made
the hairs on my neck become electrified and my heart
doubled into over drive when I thought about it. The
trees on the corner formed dismal tormenting figures
that drove me into an abyss of terror. I tried to free
myself from this place as I took One steptwo steps,
then bam! All went black, in no time, and the very last
thing I saw before I hit the asphalt was you.
 Now you try it!!!

1.Write a story that has the following title: The Mysterious Island
OR
2.Include any one of the following lines in your story:
A. We could never escape this we were heading for destruction.
B. She knew she had done the wrong thing she just could not bring
herself to admit it.
C. How could you have done this to me! Sally exclaimed. She then
turned and walked away.
D. We looked all around and there was nothing but a thick black cloak
of darkness.
OR
Write a story based on the
following Picture:
 Enjoy Story Writing!
I hope you have grasped a great deal from
this presentation.
I also hope that story writing will become
easier for you. Hopefully, the next story
you write will blow your teacher and
classmates away.

Be inspired, find what motivates you and

find that creativity that allows you to
come up with the masterpiece that will
have readers sitting on the edge of
their seats.
HAPPY WRITING MY
DARLINGS! ! ! !