Plot Structure Scenarios ... Writing a story

Plot Structure Scenarios
Aim: Writing a story
Organisation: 2s or 3s

Time: 60 minutes

Procedure: Photocopies of the present handout to be given to the learners in
class.

Handout:
Travel through the sections below and choose one or several elements from
each. Tell, write or verbally improvise a story that utilizes all the elements
chosen. For improvisational fun...put each element on a card and randomly select
character, setting, problem and solution.
Introduce Character "s" character
Choose one or more characters.
• girl
• boy
• animal
• man
• woman
• idea
• spirit
• machine
• thing
• plant, etc.

Setting
Environment:

• farm
• village
• otherworldly
• city
• mountains
• forest
• arctic
• ocean
• desert

Time:
• olden
• modern
• future

Problem:
In trouble:
• Caught stealing
• Told a lie
• Saw or heard a secret
• Lost something
• Been captured
• Under a spell or curse
• Goes to forbidden place
• Finds forbidden object
• Has enemy
• Is undervalued
• Is unrecognized
• Causes jealousy
• Forgets something
• Broke something
• Does not like something
• Needs something
• Needs to escape or hide
• Needs to rescue someone
• Needs to rescue something
• Needs to prove worth

Inner Traits
Inner Traits That Cause Original Trouble:
• Is greedy
• Dangerously curious
• Doesn't follow advice
• Is lazy
• Is pessimistic
• Is blindly in love
• Is enraged & seeks revenge
• Is naive & trusting
• Is clumsy
• Is untrained
• Lacks confidence
• Is foolish

Inner Traits That Aid Solution:
• Is courageous
• Is resourceful
• Is imaginative
• Is kind
• Is generous
• Is clever
• Is loyal
• Is strong
• Is optimistic

Solution
• Has helper

o Magical
o Non-magical
• Is rescued
• Is transformed
• Discovers skill
• Finds magic
• Helps self:

o Exercises cleverness
o Uses inner traits

• Journey undertaken to obtain solution
Conclusion
• Returns to original setting new in some way:

o Is rewarded
o Is wiser
o Is transformed
o Comes with gift or treasure
End
• Lives well
• Passes luck or reward on to others
• Has positive impact on the world
• Offers wisdom