Developing Storyline

Creative Writing Techniques

Theme Directions: Choose a “theme” for your story. When you write a theme, you do not mention

characters. Example: Do not judge a book by its cover. Example: The easy way is not always the best way. Example: What goes around comes around. Example: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Example: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Example: Things aren’t always what they seem to be. Example: Slow and steady wins the race. Example: Don’t talk to strangers. Example: If you play with fire, you may get burned. Example: If the going gets tough, YOU get going! Example: Mind over matter. Example: Keep your chin-up and don’t let bad things get you down. Example: Be careful for what you wish for. Example: For every cloud, there is a silver lining. Example: Rules are made for a reason. Example: Stand up for what you believe in Example: Better to be safe than sorry! Example: The grass is not always greener on the other side. Example: Think before you speak. “The Wizard of Oz”: There is no place like home.

Your Theme:

Characters Directions: Write up to three main characters with a detailed description. Specifically

identify the protagonist and antagonist. Protagonist: Usually the hero of the story trying to accomplish a goal. Antagonist: The person or animal trying to prevent the protagonist from achieving his/her goal.

Example: Dorothy: Dorothy is a naïve, young girl who who is trying to return home. She is the protagonist because she is the one trying to accomplish the goal of returning home and learns the lesson.

Example: The Wicked Witch: The antagonist is the Wicked Witch who is preventing Dorothy from returning home by sending monkeys out to capture her.

Example: Other characters: 1. The Tin Man: He helps Dorothy to achieve her goal of returning home by assisting her to see the

Wizard. He also needs a heart. 2. The Lion: He helps Dorothy too and needs courage. 3. The Scarecrow: He also helps Dorothy to the Wizard and needs brains.

Your Protagonist: Your Antagonist: Other Important Characters:

1. 2. 3.

Problem

Directions: Identify the main problem of your story.

Example: A tornado struck Dorothy’s home sending her into a new land. Now she needs to get home, but a wicked witch is trying to capture her.

Your Problem:

Solution

Directions: Identify how the problem is solved.

Example: Through the help of her three friends, the lion, the scarecrow, and the tin man, Dorothy melts the witch with water. The Good-Witch then sends her home because Dorothy has learned her lesson that “There is no place like home.” She no longer takes her family and home for granted and has learned to appreciate them.