Writing Stories (the 5 Stages of a Plot: Freytag's Pyramid)

Write a story with the title: A Lesson Learnt

Your story should include:

· a description of the incident

· how the lesson is learnt

Write your story in no less than 200 words in an appropriate style.

1st paragraph: Exposition

Describe the scene/setting:

• weather

• place

• what were you doing?

• what were others doing?

Exposition (example)

It was late at night. My neighbours were all asleep. My parents were asleep too. I tried to sleep but I couldn’t as I had too much coffee earlier. I walked out of my bedroom and headed for the kitchen. I could still smell the aroma of coffee in the air.

Open Ended

Write a story with the title: A Promise Broken

 Your story should include:

·      details of the promise

·      why it was important to break the promise

 

Write your story in no less than 200 words in an appropriate style.

Now, write the first paragraph (exposition) of your own story.

2nd paragraph: Rising Action

• What did you see?

• What did you hear?

• What did you do?

• What did the other person/people do?

Rising Action (example)

I wished to pour myself another cup but remembered that I needed to go to bed early and wake up early the next morning. I decided not to drink coffee but get myself a glass of cold milk instead. I opened the refrigerator door and just as I was about to pour myself a glass of milk, I heard the sound of our bathroom door creaking. Who could that be? Wasn’t everyone asleep?

Open Ended

Write a story with the title: A Promise Broken

 Your story should include:

·      details of the promise

·      why it was important to break the promise

 

Write your story in no less than 200 words in an appropriate style.

Now, write the second paragraph (rising action) of your own story.

3rd paragraph: Climax

Problem! Normally something ‘dramatic’:

• Accident?

• Mistake?

• Crime?

• Something not pleasant (-ve)

Climax (example)

I turned on the lights and to my shock, I saw a man hiding in our bathroom.  He was holding a knife in his right hand. I wanted to fight with this intruder but stopped when I realized I was not trained in martial arts skills. I quickly ran up to my parents’ bedroom and woke them up. As I did so, the burglar ran away through the back door of our kitchen.

Open Ended

Write a story with the title: A Promise Broken

 Your story should include:

·      details of the promise

·      why it was important to break the promise

 

Write your story in no less than 200 words in an appropriate style.

Now, write the third paragraph (climax) of your own story.

4th paragraph: Falling Action

• What happened?

• What was your action/reaction?

• What was the other person’s action/reaction?

Falling Action (example)

My parents went down to check and when they were sure the man had left. We then went to the police station to make our police report. I described the incident to the policeman on duty. After taking down notes, the policeman praised me for being wise not to fight back. He told me that if I had fought back, I would most likely be hurt as I did not have any weapons and I did not know any martial arts.

Open Ended

Write a story with the title: A Promise Broken

 Your story should include:

·      details of the promise

·      why it was important to break the promise

 

Write your story in no less than 200 words in an appropriate style.

Now, write the fourth paragraph (falling action) of your own story.

5th paragraph: Resolution

• How was it resolved?

• Should be positive and happy

• Conclusion: state the lesson learnt

Resolution (example)

From that day onwards, I learnt the importance of not fighting back especially if our opponents are carrying weapons. Our lives are more important than our possessions. It is ok to lose our money or jewelry so long as our lives are safe.

Open Ended

Write a story with the title: A Promise Broken

 Your story should include:

·      details of the promise

·      why it was important to break the promise

 

Write your story in no less than 200 words in an appropriate style.

Now, write the fifth paragraph (resolution) of your own story.