Lesson 8 - Making a Story Map

Now that you have learned how to write conversation we are going to practice by writing a short story which includes conversation. First, you must plan your story. Think of a good story plot. Develop interesting characters. Below is an example of a completed story map.

The Magical Castle

Character 1 - Luther

  • 12 year old boy
  • Long, black, wiry hair
  • Tall and lanky
  • Brave and wants to fight the enemy
  • The other characters make fun of and tease Luther.
  • Luther does not like Gretchen.

 

Character 2 - Gretchen

  • 12 year old girl
  • Parents make her wear prissy clothes, but wishes to be a tomboy
  • Red messy hair
  • Schemes
  • Bites nails when nervous
  • Gretchen does not like Luther.

 

 

Setting

  • English countryside during the Middle Ages

Luther and Gretchen live in a magical castle. The castle is ancient with creaking stairs, leaking roofs, and worn carpets and furniture. The castle is full of ghosts who roam freely throughout the castle.

 

 

 

Conflict

An army is marching towards the castle. They want to conquer the castle and take over the kingdom for their queen.

 

 

 

Resolution

  • Luther and Gretchen team together to help save the castle.
  • The enemy returns home.
  • Gretchen and Luther become fast friends.

 

 
       

 

1.      What is the title of the story plan?

2.      How can you tell Luther and Gretchen are going to be the main characters?

3.      Where does the story take place?

4.      In the story the main characters have a problem. What is the problem?

5.      How does Luther and Gretchen solve the problem?

When you write a story you should make a story plan like the one above. You can choose the characters, setting, a problem, and a solution. Then you will be ready to write a story.
 

The story map below will help you plan your story. Fill in the boxes and save your map for Lesson 9 when you will be writing your rough draft. Note:  If you are writing in the first person point of view one of these characters will be “you”. Tell what you look like, act, and how you react to the other characters in the story.

Character 1

  • What does the character look like?
  • How does the character act?
  • How do the other characters in the story react to this character?

 

 

 

 

Character 2

  • What does the character look like?
  • How does the character act?
  • How do the other characters in the story react to this character?

 

 

 

 

 

Setting

  • Where does the story take place?
  • When does the story take place?
  • You will write a detailed setting in the next lesson.

 

 

 

 

 

Conflict

  • What is the conflict?
  • Why does the conflict occur?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resolution

  • How is the conflict resolved?
  • What happens after the conflict is resolved?
  • How does the conflict and its resolution affect the characters?