Step-by-step Story Writing

A2 Key for school

Look at the three pictures. Write the story shown in the pictures. Write 35 words or more.

The five steps below include the following stages :

1. Pre-writing
• Brainstorming
2. Writing
• Connecting
• Dialogue
• Past tenses
3. Post-writing
• Proofreading

Story writing step ONE

“What can I see in the pictures?”

• Look at the three pictures above. Take each picture in turn and write down 4
or more words (nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs). There is one example
for you.

PEOPLE: family, son, boy, friend, classmate, people, crowds, riders

FEELINGS & OPINIONS: happy, great, friendly, careful, fast, noisy, ready
ACTIONS: say goodbye, go out, ride, meet, talk, decide, enter a competition
THINGS: houses, bicycle, helmet, t-shirt, trainers, tent, trees
PLACES: outside, on the street, in the park, in the forest, next to a gate, in the queue
WEATHER & SEASON: fine, spring, sunny

Story writing step TWO

“How do I link and connect my words and sentences?”

There are events in every story. So, how do we connect them? The reader needs to easily
follow the story line, from the first picture to the third.

• Do you know any connectors or linking words, like first and next? Write them
down.
First & next,
later & then,
after & before,
when & while,
and & because
but & so,
finally

1. It’s Saturday, so John decided to go cycling.

2. Before John got on his helmet, he put on his helmet.
3. His parents went out because they wanted to say goodbye to their son.
4. While John was riding his bicycle, he saw his classmate, Freddy.
5. So, they stopped to talk. And Freddy suggested that they go cycling together
in the park.
6. When both friends arrived at the park, they saw a lot of people there.

Story writing step THREE

“What did the main characters say to each other?”

There is almost no story without a dialogue. So, let’s include this great story ingredient! Think
about what any of the characters might say or a two-line conversation between them.

1. “Shall we go cycling in the park?” asked Freddy.

2. “Great idea!” said John.
3. “We’d like to join the competition,” said John.
4. “I’m sorry, you can not. It’s too late,” answered the man.
5. “Don’t worry! We’ll participate next month,” said John.
Story writing step FOUR
“Have I shown I control the past tenses?”

Stories retell events that have already happened. So, past simple and past continuous must
be used in your story. This is not obligatory for the A2 Flyers candidates. However, why not
give it a try?

• Read the story below. Present simple and present continuous have been used.
Try and change them into past tenses.
•
It’s Saturday. The weather is fine. John decides to go out and ride his new bicycle. While he
is cycling, he sees his classmate Freddy. He is also riding his bicycle. “Why don’t we go to the
park?” asks Freddy. “Amazing! It’s not far from here,” says John. When they arrive, they see
a crowd. “What are they organizing?” asks Freddy. The friends go closer and see a starting
line and a lot of cyclists who are waiting there. Freddy wants to take part in the race, but
they can’t because it’s too late. “Let’s see who wins!” says John. “Great idea!” answers
Freddy. The first who arrives at the finishing line is their Maths teacher. “Congratulations!”
says everyone.

Story writing step FIVE

“Have I made any spelling or grammar mistakes?”

It is very important to check for mistakes before you hand in your answers. This is
called proofreading. Leave 3-4 minutes to make sure your story is mistake-free!