Storytelling is a powerful way to share ideas and spark your imagination. Whether you’re writing a short story for fun or entering a competition, a well-crafted story keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key ingredients of a great story and share some expert tips to help students from primary to secondary school develop their storytelling skills.
1. Start with a strong idea
Every great story begins with a big idea. To get your students going, you can start by asking these questions:
- What do I want my story to be about?
- Who are the characters?
- Where does the story take place?
Tip: If you’re stuck, try using the “What If?” method. For example: What if a cat discovered it could talk?
A simple idea can grow into an exciting story.
2. Create interesting characters
Great stories have characters that feel real. Think about:
What do they want? (Their goal)
- What is stopping them? (The challenge or conflict)
- What makes them unique? (Personality, quirks, strengths, weaknesses)
Tip: Give your main character a small flaw—this makes them more relatable!
3. Build the perfect scene
Where does your story take place? The setting can help bring your story to life. Describe the sights, sounds, and even smells to immerse the reader in your world.
Tip: Use the 5 senses to make your descriptions vivid.
4. Plan a strong story structure
A well-structured story has a clear beginning, middle, and end:
- Beginning: Introduce the main character and the setting. What is their goal?
- Middle: Add conflict or a challenge. What obstacles do they face?
- End: Resolve the problem. How does the character change or grow?
Tip: Use the Story Mountain method: Start with an introduction, build up tension, reach the climax, then wrap up with a resolution.
5. Use exciting language
Your choice of words can make a big difference! Try: Show, don’t tell – Instead of saying “He was scared,” show it: “His hands trembled as he took a step back.”
- Use dialogue – It makes characters come alive. “I can’t believe it!” Sophie gasped.
- Vary sentence lengths – Short sentences create suspense, while longer ones build description.
Tip: Avoid overused words like ‘nice,’ ‘big,’ or ‘said.’ Use more creative alternatives.
6. Edit and improve your story
Even the best writers edit their work! After finishing your story:
- Read it out loud—does it sound natural?
- Check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
- Ask a friend, teacher, or family member to give feedback.
Tip: Try rewriting sentences in different ways to see what sounds best!
For classroom resources to help you deliver exciting storytelling projects, you can visit the National Literacy Trust link here.