1. Begin by asking students to think of two characters from books they’ve recently read.
2. Once they have identified two characters, explain that their task is to write a story in which these two characters from different worlds meet. Explain to students that they are going to write their own creative short stories, using descriptive language and literary devices to control characters’ actions and events while entertaining readers.
3. Engage students in a brainstorming session to recall their prior knowledge about literary elements and devices found in short stories. Some guided questions to write on the board are:
How does a writer set the scene, or open the story?
How can a writer show readers the rising action and the high point, or climax, of the story?
What is the literary term for the events of a story? (plot).
What are some ways to create a successful ending to a story so readers know that it is over?
4. As students discuss each of these questions, you can guide them towards the ideas that certain literary elements are vital to successful short story writing. The writer is responsible for using strong sensory images (word pictures), defining a clear plot (set of actions and events that show changes in a character’s life), and bringing the plot to a clear resolution (ending).