Olympiads School

Writing 9-10 Class 6

ELEMENTS OF
STORY WRITING .
 Lesson Agenda
1. REFLECT ON WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO
READ AND ENJOY A STORY
2. REVIEW KEY ELEMENTS OF A NARRATIVE
3. FOCUSING ON ADVENTURE STORIES
4. REVIEW 4 UNIQUE PLOT STRUCTURES
5. UNDERSTAND KEY ELEMENTS OF THE
CREATIVE PROCESS
6. PRACTICE BECOMING A CREATIVE WRITER
7. HOMEWORK PREVIEW
Lesson
Objectives
 Fiction

Fiction =  Fiction can have

some true facts,
“make events, or people
though
believe”
or
“not true”
stories
~ Long or Short Stories ~

 Historical Fiction
 Science Fiction
 Realistic Fiction
 Mystery
 Adventure
 Romance
 Humor
and others . . .
~ Elements of Fiction ~

 Setting
 Characters
 Plot
 Conflict
 Climax
 Resolution
 Setting
The
TIME
and
PLACE
of the story (The “When” & “Where” of the Story)
 Setting
Long Ago Today In the Future

 Stories don’t always directly tell us their time period

 Sometimes we must figure it out from “clues” / descriptions in
the story such as the style of clothing worn, the
activities done, or the technology used by the characters.
 Characters
The
PEOPLE,
ANIMALS,
OR
THINGS
the story is about (The “Who” of the Story)
 An author can make “make believe”
characters seem believable by . . .

1. DESCRIBING THEM WELL

2. LETTING THE READER “HEAR” THE
CHARACTERS SPEAK TO EACH OTHER WITH
DIALOGUE
3. “SHOWING” CHARACTERS’ ACTIONS IN
WAYS READERS CAN RELATE TO OR THAT
MAKE SENSE FOR THE SITUATION
4. LETTING THE READER KNOW THE
CHARACTERS’ THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
Plot
 The storyline
or series of
events that make
up the story
The
“What Happened?”
of the Story
 Plot
 The plot of a story
is where the
reader learns what
is happening and in
what order:
 First . . .
 Then . . .
 Next . . .
 Finally . . .
 Conflict

A problem or
struggle
the character
must face in
the story
Internal conflict types
 Love conflict
 Moral conflict
 Political conflict
 Religious conflict
 Self-image conflict
 Existential conflict
 Interpersonal conflict
 Internal Conflict

Internal Conflict

Internal conflicts are thoughts or feelings the

characters struggle with like thinking they are going
to lose a game or feeling worried.
 External Conflict

Conditions or people that are causing problems for the

main character are called
external conflicts.
These problems are happening “outside” of the character.
 What thoughts and feelings is that person having right about now?

Conflict
SOMETIMES THERE CAN
BE BOTH INTERNAL AND
EXTERNAL CONFLICT AS
CHARACTERS REACT
WITH THOUGHTS AND
FEELINGS TO THE
PROBLEMS OCCURRING
“OUTSIDE” OF
THEMSELVES.
 Climax

Climax

Plot : Shortly
Events in after the
the story climax,
lead to the the story
CLIMAX ends

Exposition Resolution

The story leads up to the most exciting

part
 Climax

The climax suggests how the conflict or

problem in the story will be resolved.
 Resolution

By the
resolution,
or ending of the
story,
we learn how the
conflict is solved
. . . one way or
another.
 Conclusion

Resolution =
You should end
The End your story with
purpose and a
moral!
 Let’s focus on adventure stories!

Self discovery & Fiction &

journey Escape Mythology
Character Trip from reality Use unreal situations to
development understand the reality of
Plot development
Fantasy the moment
Answer big questions in
life
• Suspense

• Cliff hanger

• Fatalistic dilemma

• Intensifies

• Inherent in
conflict
• Introduces
protagonist or
antagonist

The Importance of Chance

Chance Continued

 Plot or story changes

for the better or worst
 Allows for character
development
Tips

 Think of the ending before you start.

 Will allow you foreshadow key events.

 Spend time building the setting (where and

when) and world-build.
 Establish a likeable protagonist.
 Put the character/s in real danger during
the climax.
 Do not end the story abruptly.
Deep  Tolkien Languages
 http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/L
Dive anguages#List_of_languages

 Christopher Tolkien is credited

with drawing the standard
Middle-earth map used in The
Lord of the Rings
 http://lotrproject.com/map/
 The Worst Plot Structure

https://www.well-storied.com/blog/3-awesome-plot-structures-for-building-bestsellers
A Better Structure

Pronunciation ɪnˌmiː.di.æsˈreɪs
What is it? Don't confuse In Media Res with simply opening the first chapter
with action. In Media Res specifically means that the novel begins in the middle
of the story, usually at the second or third crisis, though sometimes in between
the action.
The plot still has an upward trajectory with exposition sprinkled throughout, but
the beginning of the story is often told through flashbacks or in conversations.
After several more crises, the protagonist faces the climactic action, which is
followed by the falling action and resolution.
A popular example would be many murder-mystery novels, where the killer has
already committed the crime (which would be a crisis point), and the story flashes
backwards to what lead up to the crime while also moving forward as someone
tries to solve the case.

Why does it make bestsellers? Hello, hook! The reader is more likely to stick
around for the long haul if you can intrigue them in the first few pages, and In
Media Res — when well done — can do just that by plopping readers right into the
middle of intense action (Kristen Kieffer)
 The Fichtean Curve
[fik-tee-uh n]

https://www.well-storied.com/blog/3-awesome-plot-structures-for-building-bestsellers
What is it? The Fichtean Curve begins immediately with rising
action, the exposition being scattered throughout first half of the
story. Many crises appear, each followed swiftly by its own mini falling
and rising action. At last, the story reaches its climactic conflict
around two-thirds of the way through the book, leaving the remaining
pages for falling action. This is where loose ends are tied up and a new
normalcy is established for the characters.

Why does it make bestsellers? The Fichtean Curve creates a page-

turner that won't let your readers go. Why? Because the multiple crisis
moments keep readers from getting bored. Since the characters aren't
allowed to get comfortable, readers will be chomping at the bit to see
what happens next (Kristen Kieffer).
Another Classic Example
What is it? The hero in The Hero's Journey begins in their known
world, where they soon receive a call to adventure. Often, they ignore
that call until a mentor pushes them to accept it. It is then that they
enter into a new world that leads them into all sorts of trouble as they
work to defeat the antagonist. Eventually, the hero comes to defeat the
bad guy, but not without experiencing a literal or figurative death and
rebirth that transforms their view of the world. Now that the hero has
a new mindset, they strive to atone for their past mistakes and
eventually return to the world they once knew to live out their days.

Why does it make bestsellers? From ghosts and aliens to Hobbits

and White Walkers, we humans love to imagine that there is more to
our world than meets the eye. The Hero's Journey allows us to live
vicariously through the characters in our book. Besides, who doesn't
love a good adventure? (Kristen Kieffer).
Frame Narrative (story within a story)