Writing a short story: beginning, middle and ending
A short story has three parts. Beginning: who the characters are, when and where it happens, and the situation. Middle: the action, the problem and what the character tries. Ending: how the problem is solved and what the character learns. Use the past simple for the main events (She searched her pockets) and the past continuous for the background or an action that is interrupted (While she was looking, the seller called). Use linking words: first, then, while, suddenly, after that, at last. Write dialog with quotation marks: the words that are said go inside “ ”, and a comma comes before the closing mark. Add one compound adjective to give colour (a well-known stall). The book’s model legend on page 67 is named by page only. Plan first, then write 70 to 90 words; if you can, you may write up to 120.
| Part | What to write | Useful words |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | characters, time, place, situation | One morning, In the market |
| Middle | action, problem, attempts | While, Suddenly, Then |
| Ending | solution and what is learned | At last, After that, She learned |
On a busy market morning, Nada was carrying a heavy bag when she noticed that her bike key was missing. She searched her pockets, but the key was not there. While she was looking under a fruit stall, a kind-hearted old seller called, “Are you looking for this?” He was holding a small silver key that had been lying beside his scales. Nada thanked him warmly. After that, she tied the key to her bag with a bright red ribbon. She learned to keep important things in a safe place.
Plan and write your own story of 70 to 90 words (up to 120 if you can) about a student who loses something on a busy day and finds it again. Use a plan table, two linking words, one line of dialog and one compound adjective. Do not include danger or injury.