TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR STORY
Know your subject.Write from your own experience or research the
topic thoroughly before you begin.
Use pre-writing techniques.
Brainstorm your ideas first.
You probably will not use all of the ideas, but you will have a list of
ideas for reference.
Include adjectives, actions, character notes and descrpitons.
Describe the action and characters using all five senses.
Use no more
than three named characters (4 if you must) in a short story, otherwise
your reader gets confused and gives up.
Organize your ideas into a "beginning," "middle," and "end" of your
story.
Know where you are starting from and where you are going.
You do not need to use a formal outline, but do map out your
story.
Use clear, concise, direct vocabulary.
In a piece of writing you plan to "publish" do not experiment with
new words that you may or may not know how to use correctly.
Avoid
words like so, then, and, but, and because.
Start each sentence in a slightly different way.
Proofread your work.
Read it out loud. If a sentence does not flow smoothly, it will not
be easily read either.
Use spell check, peer editors (your friends who are willing to read and
give input), your parents or other adults willing to help you proofread
for spelling, grammar, clarity of ideas, and to get input in general
before you write your final draft.
For more helpful hints, follow these links:
Return to Title Page