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Story Writing Skills Workshop

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Story Writing Skills Workshop

Bodhi, Dylan and Zach are travelling by ferry. Use the activities to plan a story with an interesting setting, a character, a problem and an ending. Read each question carefully and write in full sentences when you can.

Notice the story clues

Read this short story. Bodhi, Dylan and Zach were crossing the harbour on a little ferry. The morning sun glittered on the water, and salty air tickled their noses. Suddenly, a gust of wind lifted Zach’s bright red cap and sent it skimming across the deck. The friends hurried after it. Dylan caught the cap beside a bench just before it slid away. Zach grinned and thanked him. Soon, the ferry reached the wharf, and the friends stepped ashore together.

1.Which detail tells you where the story happens? Choose one.

On a ferry crossing the harbour
In a classroom at lunchtime
On a mountain in winter

2.What problem happens in the story, and how is it solved? Write one sentence.

3.Find two details from the story that help you imagine the setting using your senses.

4.Which word from the story describes how the water looked? Choose one.

glittered
hurried
grinned

Build your own story

Imagine something surprising happens during a ferry trip. Use the planning questions to get ready to write.

5.Choose a character and add one detail that shows what they are like. Example: “Zach is curious and always notices small things.” Write your own.

6.Invent a ferry-trip problem for your story. What goes wrong?

7.Write one sentence that describes what your character can hear or smell on the ferry.

8.Put these story events in a sensible order by writing 1, 2 and 3: ___ The friends solve the problem. ___ A problem appears. ___ We meet the character on the ferry.

9.Write a story ending that shows how the problem is solved. Include what the character says or does.

10.Write the beginning of your own ferry-trip story. Introduce a character and setting, then hint at what might happen next.