Writing a story

- A catchy introduction to make the reader continue reading

- The introductory paragraph-sets the scene (decorul/cadrul-place/time/characters); The main
paragraph-describes how the story started and developed; The final paragraph ends the
story
- Use past tense simple/continuous; past perfect, future in the past(would)
- When/while/as I was walking…/as soon as/in the meantime/meanwhile
- Suddenly/fortunately/in the end, finally/to my surprise
- In addition to/moreover/furthermore/on top of that
- Firstly/at first; secondly
- Surprised/amazed/frightened/upset
- Direct speech/questions/explanations
- Creating mystery and suspense
- Referring to feelings or moods
- Description of people’s reactions
- Folosim vorbire directa (cateva replici)

Sample:

Life can be full of surprises!

I have never consider myself a strong guy, ready to fight to defend my principles, but what happened
last week at the local Post Office definitely changed my opinion about myself.

It was around lunchtime, on a sunny day and I was queuing to the cashier counter to collect my
monthly allowance. I wasn’t paying too much attention to what was happening around me because I
was making plans on how to spend the money.

Suddenly, my attention was caught by the slowly moving hand of a young man who seemed to be
waiting in the queue just like me. His hand had a very strange trajectory, towards no apparent point
of interest. Or at the least this was what I thought because the interesting destination was the
schoolbag of a 8-year-old girl whose mobile phone could be seen through one of the openings.

I just couldn’t believe my eyes! But he indeed picked the phone delicately with two fingers, pulled it
out without anyone noticing anything and put it into his own pocket. It was just too much for me.
When I saw him ready to leave, I jumped at him shouting to give the mobile phone back to the little
girl. Everyone else started to yell at him, too, hands stretched to grab him, when unexpectedly, the
little girl stopped us all.

She explained that the young man was her elder brother who couldn’t have tried to steal it from her.
But the young man smiled and said that he was actually trying to teach her a lesson, because it had
happened to her so many times before to have her things stolen.
Needless to say that I was feeling both embarrassed and furious while listening to their story. But
everything changed when the young man started to shake my hand, thanking me for my behaviour.

The end? I found some wonderful friends and i started to feel more confident and proud about
myself. After all, I had the chance to prove that I am not just ‘’anybody’’ and I didn’t miss it!

Sample 2

It was a warm afternoon last summer and Jason and his friends were on a sailing holiday in
the Mediterranean.

Jason was standing on the deck of his boat and looking anxiously up at the sky. The weather
was usually nice at this time of the year, but now black clouds were gathering. Although it
was early afternoon, it was already very dark. ’It looks like we’re in for a storm,’ he said to
his friends, Paul and Tony.

Before they knew it, they were in the middle of the storm. Lightning flashed and thunder
rolled across the sky. Soon the boat was rocking from side to side and huge waves were
crashing around it. They were all very scared. Tony realised that they were in danger and
quickly radioed for help. Just then a bolt of lightning struck the boat and the mast burst into
flames. They all began to panic. ’We’re going to sink!’ they cried.

Paul told the boys to get into the life raft. ’We can’t save the boat’, he said, ’but we can save
ourselves.’ They threw the life raft into the water and jumped in after it. As they climbed
aboard, they wondered what would happen now. They watched as their burning boat sank
slowly into the sea.

Suddenly they heard the sound of a boat over the roar of the storm. They shouted and
waved and the boat drew closer to them. It was the coastguard. They were relieved that
their adventure was over at last. They all agreed to plan a safer holiday next time.

Be in for-a avea parte de Radio-a transmite prin radio

Just then-tocmai in acel moment Lightning bolt-fulger flash-a licari/fulgera Strike-struck-a lovi

Mast-catarg Raft-pluta Burst into-a izbucni in

Roar-vuiet/urlet Coastguard-garda de coasta Feel relieved

Relief At last Life raft=pluta de salvare

HW:

1. Write a narrative essay about one time when you went on an eventful trip
together with your family. (180-200 words)
2. Write a narrative essay for the school’s English language magazine. It must begin with
the following words: I wanted to do my best, but more than that I wanted the team
to win. (180-200 words)
3. Write a narrative essay about your happiest day ever. (180-200 words)