Part 1: Build Your Story World

A strong narrative has a clear sequence of events, purposeful details, and a character who responds to a problem. Use this plan to shape your story before you draft.

Part 2: Plan Four Stages That Work

Plan the most important events in order. Include what happens, how the protagonist feels, and what choice the character makes.

1. Beginning: Setup

Introduce the setting, protagonist, and normal situation. What changes or begins the problem?

Feeling: ____________________ Choice or action: ______________________________

2. Rising Problem: Tension

What obstacles make the problem harder? How does each event increase tension?

Feeling: ____________________ Choice or action: ______________________________

3. Climax: Turning Point

What is the most important moment? What difficult decision, discovery, or action changes the direction of the story?

Feeling: ____________________ Choice or action: ______________________________

4. Ending: Resolution

How is the problem resolved? What has the protagonist learned, changed, or decided?

Feeling: ____________________ Reflection or change: ___________________________

Part 3: Add Craft and Check Your Plan

Detail Bank

List details that help readers experience the scene. Choose details that matter to the mood or problem.

See: __________________________ Hear: __________________________

Feel: __________________________ Smell or taste: ____________________

Specific object or action: ________________________________________________

Dialogue Starter

Write one line of dialogue that reveals a feeling, conflict, goal, or important information.

Tension and Pacing Check

Number your four stages from 1 to 4. Then mark where the tension is lowest, rising, highest, and falling.

Lowest: __________   Rising: __________   Highest: __________   Falling: __________

Does each event lead naturally to the next? Explain one connection.

Final Self-Check

My events follow a clear beginning, middle, climax, and ending.

I use an effective technique, such as dialogue, description, pacing, or reflection.

My descriptive details are specific and relevant to the scene.

My protagonist makes choices and changes or reflects.

My resolution is satisfying and connects to the story problem.

Challenge for Stronger Writers

Plan a moment when the protagonist’s actions reveal something indirectly. Consider using a meaningful object, contrasting detail, surprise, or repeated image.

Aligned to CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3, W.7.3, W.8.3, and W.8.3b.