Words to know
narrative
A text that tells a story, real or made up.
plot
The events of a story, in order.
rising action
The events after the problem that build tension and excitement.
climax
The most exciting or important moment, when the problem is faced.
falling action
What happens right after the climax, as things calm down.
resolution
How the problem is solved and how the story ends.
character trait
A word that describes what a character is like inside, like brave, kind or stubborn.
lead
The first sentence or two of a story, written to hook the reader.
Remember from Grade 3
In Grade 3 you wrote stories with characters, a setting, a problem, events and a solution. You used a story mountain, quotation marks for dialogue, and "show, don't tell." In Grade 4 you will learn the names of the parts of a plot, build characters readers care about, write strong leads, and slow down the big moment.
A model story
The Broken String
Jonah had practised his fiddle tune every night for three weeks. Now, waiting backstage at the school talent show, his stomach flipped like a pancake.
"You're next," whispered Ms. Okafor.
Jonah lifted his fiddle to tune it one last time. Ping! The top string snapped and curled up like a tiny silver snake.
His heart pounded. He dug through his case. No spare string. He could hear the audience clapping for the act before him.
"Can I borrow yours?" he asked Mei, who had just finished her violin solo.
Mei hugged her violin for a second. Then she held it out. "Be gentle with her."
The curtain opened. Jonah walked to the middle of the stage, closed his eyes and took one slow breath. He pulled the bow across the strings. The first notes wobbled. Then his fingers remembered the way, and the tune danced out across the gym.
When the last note faded, the audience burst into applause.
Backstage, Jonah handed the violin back with both hands. "Thanks, Mei. You saved me."
"Next time," she grinned, "bring a spare string."
Jonah laughed. He already knew what was going on his birthday list.
Strong leads
The first sentence decides if a reader keeps going. Try one of these:
- Action: Ping! The top string snapped.
- Dialogue: "You're next," whispered Ms. Okafor.
- A question: Have you ever been sure something would go wrong?
- A surprising fact or feeling: Jonah's stomach flipped like a pancake.
Dialogue rules
Start a new paragraph each time a different person speaks. Put the spoken words inside quotation marks, and put the end punctuation inside the closing marks: "Thanks, Mei. You saved me."
Quiz
1. Which part of a story builds tension after the problem?
2. Which sentence shows that a character is nervous?
4. Which is punctuated correctly?
6. Why do writers slow down the climax?