How to plan your story | Year 4 English PDF Download

Planning a Story

• Importance of Planning in Writing: Before starting to write a story, writers engage in planning to structure their narrative effectively. This process is crucial for crafting a compelling story.
• Key Elements of Story Planning: Planning involves outlining key elements such as characters, setting, plot, and resolution before commencing the writing process.
  • Example: Character Introduction: Begin your story by introducing an intriguing main character and establishing the story's setting. For instance, consider a scenario where a brave knight resides in a serene village.
• Building Suspense and Conflict: Include elements like problems or mysteries to add depth and intrigue to your narrative, setting the stage for the story's development and climax.
  • Example: An evil wizard kidnapping the king can serve as a compelling plot point.
• Character Challenges: Define the challenges your main character will face, such as battling a dragon or confronting an evil wizard, to propel the story forward.
  • Example: The protagonist encountering a fire-breathing dragon under the wizard's control.
• Resolution and Character Development: Conclude the story by showcasing how the character tackles the central problem and resolves the conflicts, highlighting their growth and problem-solving skills.

What is a Story Mountain?

• Understanding the Plot Structure: A story mountain is a visual tool that helps writers organize the main events of a story, guiding the narrative's progression towards a climax and resolution.
• Visualizing the Story's Arc: By using a story mountain, writers can map out the rising action, climax, and falling action of their narratives, ensuring a well-structured and engaging story.

The Story Mountain

1. Opening

   • Introducing the Main Character: Start with a captivating main character and establish the story's setting.
   • Example: A knight residing in a peaceful village.

2. Build-Up

   • Establishing Conflict: Introduce problems or mysteries to create intrigue and tension in the narrative.
   • Example: An evil wizard kidnapping the king.

3. Problem

   • Character's Challenge: Define the main problem the character must overcome, like battling a dragon or defeating an evil wizard.
   • Example: Confronting a fire-breathing dragon guarding the wizard's lair.

4. Resolution

   • Character's Triumph: Showcase how the character resolves the problem and concludes the story, emphasizing growth and development.
5. Ending
   • In the ending, the fate of the characters is decided, often with a twist to add excitement.
   • For example, the knight and the dragon forge an alliance, restoring the king to his throne, leading to widespread jubilation throughout the kingdom.