Creative Writing: Narrative structure

In this lesson, we will be thinking about the narrative structure of short stories. We will learn all about Freytag's 'narrative pyramid' and the hooks writers use to engage their readers.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.Before stories were written down, they were told orally. What does 'orally' mean?

Told through speech Told through pictures Told through dance Told through actions

1/5

Q2.What three things are needed in order to create a story?

Plot, characters, themes Characters, setting, themes Setting, characters, plot Themes, setting, plot

2/5

Q3.How many main characters are usually found in short stories?

1 2 3 4

3/5

Q4.A story that is under 1000 words is known as what?

Fast fiction Speedy story Flash fiction Swift story

4/5

Q5.What is a subplot?

An additional storyline that runs alongside the main plot. Plot points that are not very important. Plot points that appear at the end of the main plot. Plot points that are important but uninteresting.

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.Before stories were written down, they were told orally. What does 'orally' mean?

Told through speech Told through pictures Told through dance Told through actions

1/5

Q2.What three things are needed in order to create a story?

Plot, characters, themes Characters, setting, themes Setting, characters, plot Themes, setting, plot

2/5

Q3.How many main characters are usually found in short stories?

1 2 3 4

3/5

Q4.A story that is under 1000 words is known as what?

Fast fiction Speedy story Flash fiction Swift story

4/5

Q5.What is a subplot?

5/5

Video

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Creative Writing (Short Stories) - Lesson 2

Complete the following quiz to see how much you have understood from today's lesson:

Q1.During what stage of a narrative does a crisis or conflict begin to develop?

Introduction Rising Action Climax Falling Action

1/7

Q2.During what stage of a narrative is the tension at its highest?

Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

2/7

Q3.During what stage of a narrative is the end of a conflict or crisis seen?

Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

3/7

Q4.Which type of narrative hook makes readers ask questions about what they are reading?

A puzzling hook A direct address hook A visual hook A comedic hook

4/7

Q5.Which type of narrative hook relates to a reader's sense of sight?

A puzzling hook A direct address hook A visual hook A comedic hook

5/7

Q6.'Flash fiction' will reach a maximum of how many words?

100 500 1000 1500

6/7

Q7.How many main characters are usually in short stories?

4 3 2 1

7/7

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Creative Writing (Short Stories) - Lesson 2

Complete the following quiz to see how much you have understood from today's lesson:

Q1.During what stage of a narrative does a crisis or conflict begin to develop?

Introduction Rising Action Climax Falling Action

1/7

Q2.During what stage of a narrative is the tension at its highest?

Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

2/7

Q3.During what stage of a narrative is the end of a conflict or crisis seen?

Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

3/7

Q4.Which type of narrative hook makes readers ask questions about what they are reading?

A puzzling hook A direct address hook A visual hook A comedic hook

4/7

Q5.Which type of narrative hook relates to a reader's sense of sight?

A puzzling hook A direct address hook A visual hook A comedic hook

5/7

Q6.'Flash fiction' will reach a maximum of how many words?

100 500 1000 1500

6/7

Q7.How many main characters are usually in short stories?

4 3 2 1

7/7

Lesson summary: Creative Writing: Narrative structure

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The next lesson in:
Creative writing: short stories
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Creative Writing: Developing Character

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Creative Writing: Narrative structure

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Creative Writing (Short Stories) - Lesson 2

Creative Writing (Short Stories) - Lesson 2

Lesson summary: Creative Writing: Narrative structure

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Creative writing: short stories is: Creative Writing: Developing Character

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
Creative writing: short stories
is:
Creative Writing: Developing Character