Writing Part 3

PET

Writing Part 3

A Story

Characteristics of a good story:

• It has a good title
• There is a beginning, middle and end
• It must be interesting
• You need to use narrative verb tenses (past simple, past continuous and (if appropriate) past perfect) and linking expressions.
• You need to plan the content of each paragraph
• Use a variety of language – especially adjectives and adverbs to make it interesting:

1.         Here is a model question and answer:

• Your teacher has asked you to write a story.
• Your story must begin with this sentence.

I was standing beside someone famous

• Write your story in about 100 words.

A famous meeting

I was standing beside someone famous!  I was so excited that for a few seconds I couldn’t do anything.  I was standing and looking at him.  He was taller and more beautiful than he seemed on TV.

Suddenly, he turned his head and stared at me.  I was petrified!  He smiled and said hello.  I opened my mouth but I couldn’t say anything.  He asked me how I found the show.  Finally, I answered him.  I managed to whisper that I loved his music – especially his last album.  I asked him to sign me an autograph.  Then he shook my hand and walked away.

2.  Did you enjoy the story?  Why or why not?

3.         Read the story again and notice examples of:

• past continuous
• past simple
• interesting adjectives
• interesting adverbs

4.         When is the past continuous used?  Why?

5.         Is the story easy to read?

Answers:

1. The story begins using the past continuous.  This sets the scene and helps the reader feel more involved in the story.  The past simple is used to describe the main events of the story.

2. The writer has used some excellent verbs, adjectives and adverbs to describe what happens and how he/she is feeling:

• Verbs – stare, whisper, turn, manage to
• Adjectives  -  petrified,
• Adverb – suddenly, finally

3. The story is easy to read.  There is a beginning, middle and end

4. The story is well organised in paragraphs with a logical sequence.