Writing: Narrative Writing (B1) - Lesson 1: Writing a Simple Story with a Clear Beginning, Middle, and End
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Hello B1 Storytellers! 👋
Everyone loves a good story! Today, we're going to learn the basic recipe for writing simple stories. Just like a good meal has different parts, a good story also has a structure that makes it enjoyable and easy to understand.
We'll focus on three main parts: the Beginning, the Middle, and the End.
In this lesson, you will:
- Understand the purpose of a beginning, middle, and end in a simple story.
- See examples of how these parts work together.
- Practice organizing and writing your own short, simple stories.
The Basic Parts of a Story: Beginning, Middle, End (B-M-E)
Even very simple stories have a clear structure to guide the reader. Let's look at the three main parts:
1. The Beginning (Introduction)
This is where your story starts. The beginning should:
- Introduce your main character(s) (who the story is about).
- Tell us the setting (when and where the story happens).
- Give a hint about the main situation or problem that might occur.
Example Beginning: Once, in a quiet village, lived a brave little rabbit named Pip. One sunny morning, Pip decided he wanted to find the legendary giant carrot he had heard stories about.
2. The Middle (Development / Events)
This is the main part of your story where the action happens. The middle should:
- Describe the main events in order (chronological order).
- Show any challenges or problems the characters face.
- Develop the story towards a climax or turning point (for more complex stories). For B1, it's usually a sequence of 2-3 key actions.
Example Middle (continuing Pip's story): First, Pip packed a small bag with water and a map. Then, he hopped into the dark woods. After walking for a long time, he met a wise old owl who gave him a clue.
3. The End (Conclusion / Resolution)
This is how your story finishes. The end should:
- Tell how the main problem or situation is resolved (fixed or finished).
- Show what happens to the characters at the end.
- Give the reader a sense of closure (the story feels complete).
Example End (continuing Pip's story): Following the owl's clue, Pip finally found an enormous, sparkling carrot! He shared it with all his friends in the village, and they had a big feast. Pip was very proud of his adventure.
Example of a Simple Story
Let's look at a complete short story with these parts. This story has three short paragraphs.
Paragraph 1 (Beginning):
Last Saturday was a special day for Lily. It was her seventh birthday, and she was very excited. She woke up early and looked out the window. The sun was shining.
Paragraph 2 (Middle):
First, Lily had a special breakfast with her family. Then, her friends arrived for her party. They played many fun games in the garden. After the games, Lily opened her presents. She got a new bicycle and many books!
Paragraph 3 (End):
Finally, everyone ate birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday." Lily felt very happy and loved. It was the best birthday ever.
Notice how each paragraph focuses on one part of the story (the start, the main events, and the finish) and how time words like "First," "Then," and "Finally" help show the order.
Practice Story Structure!
Activity 1: Identify Story Parts
Read the very short story below, which is divided into three parts (A, B, C). Identify which part is the Beginning, Middle, and End.
Activity 2: Order the Story Events
These sentences make up a short story about "A Lost Kitten," but they are mixed up. Type the sentences (or just their letters) in the correct order (Beginning, Middle, End) in the box below.
Activity 3: Write Your Own Short Story (Guided)
Let's write a very short story (3 simple paragraphs: Beginning, Middle, End) about the topic: "A Surprise in the Garden".
Use the questions below to help you plan each part:
- Beginning: Who are the characters? Where and when does the story start? What is the initial situation?
- Middle: What happens next (1-2 main events or actions)? What is the surprise?
- End: How does the story finish? How do the characters feel?
✨ Tips for Writing Simple Stories ✨
- Plan Your B-M-E: Before you write, quickly think: What's my beginning? What happens in the middle? How does it end?
- Keep it Simple: For B1, focus on clear, simple sentences and a straightforward plot.
- Use Past Tense: Most stories about past events use past tense verbs (e.g., went, saw, played).
- Use Time Words: Words like "First," "Then," "Next," "Finally," "Suddenly," "One day," "Yesterday" can help show the order and connect ideas.
- Show, Don't Just Tell (a little bit): Try to add small details that help the reader imagine (e.g., instead of "It was a nice day," try "The sun was shining, and birds were singing.").
Happy Story Writing! 🎉
Understanding the beginning, middle, and end structure will help you write clear and enjoyable stories for everyone to read!