CLASS X ENGLISH WRITING

TOPIC: SHORT STORY WRITING 

Short stories are written in the format of a narrative. They are fictional narratives based on the beginning or outline/hints/clues (verbal or visual) given in the question. The purpose of asking you to write a short story is to improve your creative and imaginative thinking. A story usually narrates an incident with its associated happenings or may expand on one thought or idea.

MAIN ELEMENTS OF A SHORT STORY:

The different elements which comprise a short story are given below:

1. Theme : This is the main idea. it may be a message, moral, an abstract idea, a lesson learnt etc.

2. Plot : It is the logical sequence of events which leads to the conclusion. The type of plot may be adventurous, scary, a mystery, suspenseful, comic, etc. 
3. Setting : it is the background or location where the action takes place. it may be realistic or fictional.
4. Characters : The story usually has people, animals or other living creatures, but they must be based on real life to give the story credibility. Usually there is one main character in the story with other minor characters to support the plot.
5. Mood/Atmosphere : It may be cheerful/ happy, tense, scary, suspenseful or neutral, depending on the question.

STEPS TO WRITE A SHORT STORY:
There are no specific rules for writing a story, but there are countless ways to create an interesting one. The writer should keep the following steps in mind while writing a short story:

1. To write an interesting story, the writer must think like the central character to get catch of her/his emotions and the situation she/he is in.
2. the details should be mentioned creatively to develop the readers' interest.
3. While building the plot of the story, the writer should make sure that the sequence of events is proper to avoid confusion.
4. The writer of the story may use his/her personal style of writing and imagination.
5. A very important  of the story is an apt ending to add significance to it. A justified climax is expected by the readers.
6. Give the story an appropriate title which catches the readers' attention, if asked in the question. 

MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE STORY:
1. An Interesting Start: The start of the story should be interesting enough to make the reader curious to know what happens later on in the story. It can be an incident, a description of a character trait of the central character or something extraordinary.
2. Building the Plot: This describes the sequence of events in the story.
3. A Justified Climax/Conclusion: The conclusion of the story should not leave any aspect of the story unfinished. the climax of the story should be an interesting one. 

POINTS TO BE KEPT IN MIND:

• The focus should be on a single incident.
• Always use past tense while writing a story.
• Frame the story keeping in mind the central character.
• Consequences/climax of the story should be clear and satisfying.
• Make simple and innovative use of language.
• Add twists and turns to develop the readers' interest.
• Stick to the limit of 150-200 words.
• Make sure that the story has a moral/message, if it requires one.