Page 25 - On Screen Leaflet

WB2
A story
Stories can be written either in the first or
the third person and present a series of
events, real or imaginary. The events in the
story should be written in the order in
which they happen. Stories include:
• an introduction which sets the scene
(describes the time, place, people, activity,
weather, etc).
• main body paragraphs (describing events
leading up to the main event, the main
event itself and its climax).
• a conclusion (describing what happens
in the end, people’s reactions/feelings,
etc).
Stories are characterised by:
• the use of past tenses . (The sun was
shining when I set out. I got my sunglasses
and hat, opened the door and went
outside. When I reached the beach, I
realised I hadn’t brought my swimsuit.)
• linking words/phrases that show time
and sequence of events. (first/at first,
before that, that/the following/the previous
morning, later that evening, while,
meanwhile, as soon as, at that moment, by
the time, in the end, finally, etc)
• descriptive adjectives/adverbs to make
the story more interesting (scenic,
breathtaking, fortunately, quickly, etc) .
• direct speech to make the story dramatic.
(“What a fantastic view!” she exclaimed.)
Writing
Bank 2
Stories wanted
We are looking for stories for our new English-language
magazine for young people. Your story must begin with this
sentence: It was a freezing night and I ws walking down a
dark street. Your story must include:
• an accident • a firefighter
Write your story (120-160 words).
An hour later I woke up. There was a strange smell! I realised
that the room was on fire! There was smoke everywhere. I couldn’t get
to the door because huge flames blocked my way. Suddenly, I heard a
shout from the window. It was a firefighter!
I entered my flat and tried to turn on the lights, but nothing
happened. I remembered that the streetlights had not been on, either.
It was a power cut! I quickly grabbed some candles, lit them and sat
down on the sofa. Soon, I was sleeping deeply.
The firefighter carefully helped me down the ladder. I was so
grateful that he had rescued me! I felt very embarrassed that I had set
fire to my flat.
It was a freezing night and I was walking home down a dark
street. I was exhausted and desperately wanted to be back in my cosy flat.
A
B
C
D
fr i i t and I a
Put the paragraphs in
the correct order.
a) Which adjectives
has the writer used to
describe: flames, night,
street, flat?
b) Which adverbs has
the writer used to
describe: grabbed, sleeping, helped, wanted?
Replace the adjectives in bold with the adjectives: calm,
warm, huge, cold, scared.
1 It was the middle of winter and the weather was bad.
2 I felt bad when the dog started to growl.
3 The open fire made the room very nice .
4 I opened the door and walked into a nice room.
5 The waters were nice .
1
3
2
Complete the sentences with the adverbs: desperately,
quickly, deeply, frantically.
1 The woman next to me started to scream ............................. .
2 James ................................. ran down the stairs.
3 She ................................. wanted to reach home.
4 I was ................................ asleep and didn't hear the thunder.
Give the story a different ending.
4
5
Practice
Introduction
(Para 1) set the scene (how,
when, where, what)
Main Body
(Paras 2 & 3) events in order they
happened; climax event
Conclusion
(Para 4) what happened in the
end, characters' feelings
Starting a story/Setting the scene
• ... felt (exhausted) as she had been
(shopping in town all day). • It was (raining
hard) when ... (woke up that morning).
Describing people/places/feelings
• The young man at reception ... • We
walked (through the busy streets) trying
to (follow the map) . • To our (amazement/
surprise/relief, etc), ... • Imagine my
(embarrassment/annoyance, etc) when ...
Leading up to the main event
• At first, nobody realised ... • We had
only just (boarded the plane) when ...
• The next thing (Mary) knew, (she was) ...
The main event/climax of the story
• Everyone started (shouting frantically) .
• Then just at that moment, (the telephone
rang) .
Ending a story
• I’ve never been so (terrified) in my life.
• I felt truly (grateful/satisfied/sorry, etc)
that ... • It was the most (unforgettable/
amazing) experience of my life.
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