What Makes a Story a Good Story - Polling

Which of the following is MOST important for making a story engaging?

• A strong beginning

• Well-developed characters

• A surprising plot twist

• A satisfying ending

What makes a character interesting to read about?

• Their appearance

• Their actions and motivations

• The number of friends they have

• How much dialogue they have

Which element do you think is most essential to a good plot?

• A big conflict

• A happy ending

• A detailed setting

• A famous main character

What is the purpose of a story’s setting?

• To give the characters a place to exist

• To create a mood and atmosphere

• To help readers visualize events

• All of the above

Which type of conflict do you find most interesting in a story?

• A character vs. another character

• A character vs. themselves (internal struggle)

• A character vs. nature or society

• All conflicts make stories exciting

How important is the theme (lesson or message) in a story?

• Very important—it gives the story meaning

• Somewhat important—it depends on the story

• Not very important—I just want an entertaining plot

• I’ve never thought about it before

What makes a story’s ending satisfying?

• A shocking twist

• A happily-ever-after conclusion

• A resolution that makes sense

• An ending that leaves you with questions

Which type of narration do you prefer in a story?

• First-person (told by a character in the story)

• Third-person (told by a narrator outside the story)

• A mix of both perspectives

• I don’t notice narration style

What keeps you reading a story from start to finish?

• Suspense and unexpected twists

• Relatable characters

• Emotional or thought-provoking moments

• A combination of all of these

Which do you think is the biggest mistake a writer can make?

• Boring characters

• A confusing plot

• An ending that doesn’t make sense

• Too much description and not enough action