Story Writing: Story writing tests the creative writing skills of students. Writing a story is not an easy task and one should go for it only if one is confident of thinking out of the box and creatively. Having said that, remember – there is a story in each one of us. It is just waiting to be written.
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Story Writing for Class 10 ICSE Format, Examples, Topics, Exercises
Examples of Story writing topics:
- Write a story beginning with, “It had been a good year for her….”
- Write a story in which a cat and a tree have an important role to play.
All in all you should keep in mind that the subjects for the ICSE essay are so chosen so as to allow to draw on your first-hand experience or those that stimulate your imagination. Suggestions and options are often given but a candidate is allowed to develop the idea subjectively. It is very important to pay close attention to the presentation of the subject matter, the syntax, punctuation, correctness in grammar and spelling. The treatment has to be appropriate to the subject and the ideas expressed should be original.
Let us look at some points to be kept in mind.
A. Getting Ideas for a story
People often wonder where writers get their ideas for stories. It takes so many ideas to make a story or a novel. Look for ideas in real life, such as funny quotes, interesting people, or occurrences at school. Consider your favorite stories. You can use their elements to make a new story. Combine several ideas to form the basis of a new story. For example, Harry Potter books combine school, sports, destiny, battles between good and evil, and magic to create compelling stories.
B. Sketch the “basics” of your story
These are the basics of all stories:
- Characters
- Conflict
- Happy ending
C. Fill in the details
1. Characters:
First, build your main character. Then, think about your secondary characters: family, friends and enemies.
2. Conflict – a storyteller’s best friend:
The stronger the conflict, the stronger the story.
3. Planning the Story line:
Character and conflict are the heart of your story. The plot is just the sequence of events that happen as the character evolves. Here are a few things to remember:
- A story is based on cause and effect.
- The story builds around the character’s actions and decisions.
- Avoid a series of events. You want a chain of events, each affecting the next. Each link in the chain should be necessary to your story.
4. Dialogue
- Dialogue does many things for your story.
- Reveals character (especially through reactions)
- Advances story line
- Brings scenes to life
- Adjusts the story’s pace
5. Setting
- Plan your setting – give vivid details.
- Setting helps you avoid “floating” of scenes – conversation or action that could be happening anywhere.
- Adds atmosphere to scenes.
6. Your story’s opening scene should be strong
- Start your story as close to the “big event” as you can.
- Show the main character and the problem, or hint at the problem.
- Use action to get your story rolling and make your reader involved in the story.
D. Pen down your story
Don’t write until you have planned your character, conflict and especially the opening. Prepare your rough draft.
E. Revise
It’s important to correct the spellings and grammatical mistakes if any, but first, make sure your story is in good shape. Look at your plan again and make sure that you have presented those things in your story. Here are two examples:
Sometimes writers plan a great character, but at times leave out important information about the character. Check that you presented the character’s problem, strengths, and weaknesses.
Sample Stories
1. “ I met him on the stairs…”
I met him on the stairs. I was on my way from the bus station to the main city square on the other side of the road. The raw air was biting my cheeks, and I pulled my scarf farther up to my chin, burying my face in it while tensing my neck and shoulders, wanting to disappear into my winter coat. I quickened my pace towards the stairs leading down to the darker, but far less windy underground passage. I wanted to get home and into my warm bed as quickly as possible.
By the first two steps I realized I was being watched. An obscure shape of a man was leaning against the railing on the corner ahead. As I got closer, I could make out a dark hoodie, a cap casting shadow over his face, and in his hand something swiftly reflecting in the lights from a naked, fluorescent bulb hanging deserted on a nearby wall.
I hesitated as I heard the sound from the bus’ motor fade away, the noise from the traffic fading in the gloomy, bleak night. I was alone. I shivered, trying to make myself even smaller behind my scarf and coat as I kept going, feeling the reassuring grip around my cell inside my right pocket; down the stairwell, down into the deep quiet, almost brushing the man’s shoulder as I passed by. I stopped breathing. Nothing.
In the dim, wavering light, I could barely discern the white tiles on the floor, and the colourful spray paint covered walls were now only depicting vague traces and murky patterns. My breath appeared as smoky clouds in front of me, disappearing in the air like ghosts. There was still further to go, and I turned corners and passed broken light bulbs in a hurry, like a lab rat in a maze below the city grounds. The sound of my footsteps resonating in the tunnel walls only made me feel more alone. “CLACK!”
I stopped short and turned, eyes darting from wall to wall, but twinkling lights and bodiless shadows was the only sight that met me. A little angry with myself for being so easily startled, I let my shoulders fall.
“Keep it together, Emma,” I thought, “It was probably noth.. Dammit!” My hand flew to my right pocket, only clutching the empty space inside it. My phone was gone.
Squinting to see in the scarce light I bent down to look for it, but then I heard something else: muffled footsteps. Not going fast nor slow, but in the uneven pace of someone without aim or destination. I tensed to listen, and as on cue the footsteps quickened, coming closer, closer alarmed, I whirled around, heart pounding in terror. I was too late.
2. “A farmer…”
A farmer was sitting in the neighbourhood bar getting drunk.
A man came in and asked the farmer, “Hey, why are you sitting here on this beautiful day, getting drunk?” The farmer shook his head and replied, “Some things you just can’t explain.”
“So what happened that’s so horrible?” the man asked as he sat down next to the farmer. “Well,” the farmer said, “today I was sitting beside my cow, milking her. Just as I got the bucket full, she lifted her left leg and kicked over the bucket.” “Okay,” said the man, “but that’s not so bad.” “Some things you just can’t explain,” the farmer replied. “So what happened then?” the man asked.
The farmer said, “I took her left leg and tied it to the post on the left.” “And then?” “Well, I sat back down and continued to milk her. Just as I got the bucket full, she took her right leg and kicked over the bucket.” The man laughed and said, “Again?” The farmer replied, “Some things you just can’t explain.” “So, what did you do then?” the man asked. “I took her right leg this time and tied it to the post on the right.” “And then?” “Well, I sat back down and began milking her again. Just as I got the bucket full, the stupid cow knocked over the bucket with her tail.” “Hmmm,” the man said and nodded his head.
“Some things you just can’t explain,” the farmer said. “So, what did you do?” the man asked. “Well,” the farmer said, “I didn’t have anymore rope, so I took off my belt and tied her tail to the rafter. In that moment, my pants fell down and my wife walked in … Some things you just can’t explain.”
Suggested Outlines of Story Writing
i. Write a short story on the theme, “The alien encounter”.
- On a cold foggy night she heard strange noises.
- When she peeped out of window she saw strange creature.
- There was a knock on the door- it was an alien.
- She nearly fainted but gathered courage and invited it for tea.
- Both talked. He told about his planet and she told about hers.
- He invited her to accompany him but she refused.
- He took out his gun and she screamed.
ii. Write a short story on the theme, “Anger at others causes permanent wounds”.
- A boy is full of anger all the time.
- Father gives him some nails and tells him to hammer one nail in the fence every time he gets angry.
- Boy starts controlling his anger and a day comes when he does not hammer any nail in the fence.
- Father asks boy to take out all the nails.
- Shows the boy scars left on the fence.
iii. At a Chinese restaurant, you open your fortune cookie and read the following message: “Your life is in danger. Say nothing to anyone. You must leave the city immediately and never return. Repeat: Say nothing.” Write a story on what happens next.
- You ask for the menu card and pretending to read it write a message on it.
- Then you quietly move out.
- Describe the night and your fear.
- You head home and pack your bags.
- You go to the railway station pretending to leave the city where the police is waiting for you since they had got your scribbled message.
- They escort you to a safe place.
iv. Write a short story starting with, “I opened the door of my house.”
- What did you see?
- What surprised you the most?
- What did you do next?
- Was your fear justified in the end?
v.Write a short story titled “Hospitality”
- Whom did you visit?
- Their financial condition was not good.
- In spite of that how well they looked after you?
- What did they do for you?
- What lesson did you learn?
Story Writing Assignment
- Write a story starting with ‘A drop of tear trickled down her face.’
- Write a story starting with ‘She timidly peeped through the key hole.’
- Write a story ending with ‘Once again flowers bloomed in the garden.’
- Write a story with the title ‘The Search.’