ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Teaching Without Frills How to Write an Imaginative Narrative for Kids Episode 3: Planning Your Story
In the last episode, I came up with lots of fun ideas for my story. After thinking about them, I picked my favorite character and setting. I decided to write about a superhero in a big city!
Before you start writing your story, it’s a good idea to make a plan. Planning helps you figure out the most important parts of your story before you begin writing. This makes it much easier to add all the details later.
One way to plan is by using a story map. There are many kinds of story maps, so you can choose one you like or make your own. I’m going to use a story map that helps me plan the main character, the setting, and three important events.
First, I’ll think about my character. It’s important to know not just what they look like, but how they act too. My character is a superhero. She can fly and is super strong. She loves helping others. I think I’ll call her Super Megan.
Next, I’ll plan the setting. I need to think about the time and place, and also the mood I want to create. My story will happen in a big city at night. Maybe it will be stormy too, which would make it feel exciting and suspenseful.
Now, I need to think about the important events in my story. I’ll start with a regular event to get things going. Then, I’ll think about a problem my character faces and how she might solve it. Finally, I’ll decide how I want my story to end.
At the beginning of my story, maybe Super Megan is walking home from a friend’s house in a storm. Then, a problem happens. A problem can be big or small, as long as it’s interesting and makes sense in your story.
It’s nighttime and stormy… What problem might a superhero have? Maybe she starts flying to get out of the rain quickly, but she sees a pole get struck by lightning and fall onto a car. That’s a big problem!
Finally, I need to decide what happens at the end, including how the problem is solved. Since my character is helpful and strong, she’ll lift the pole off the car. I’ll add more details about the solution and ending later, but this is a good start.
If you get stuck while planning, you can always go back to brainstorming. List many possible problems and solutions, then pick the one you like best.
Are you ready to start writing your imaginative story? Check out the next episode to see how I begin writing an introduction!
Create Your Own Story Map: Use a large sheet of paper to draw your own story map. Divide it into sections for the main character, setting, and three important events. Think about your favorite character and setting, and draw or write about them in the first two sections. Then, come up with three exciting events that could happen in your story. Share your story map with a friend or family member and ask them what they think!
Character and Setting Exploration: Go on a mini-adventure in your home or neighborhood to find inspiration for your character and setting. Look for interesting places or objects that could be part of your story. For example, a tall tree could become a superhero’s lookout tower, or a cozy corner in your house could be a secret hideout. Take notes or draw pictures of what you find and think about how they could fit into your story.
Problem and Solution Brainstorming: With a family member or friend, play a game where you take turns coming up with different problems a superhero might face. Write each problem on a small piece of paper and put them in a jar. Then, take turns drawing a problem from the jar and discussing possible solutions. This will help you think creatively and prepare for writing your own story!
**How to Write an Imaginative Narrative for Kids**
**Episode 3: Planning**
In the last episode, I brainstormed lots of ideas for my imaginative narrative story. After brainstorming, I chose the character and setting I liked the most. I decided to write a story about a superhero in a big city.
Before you write your story, it helps to make a plan. Making a plan is important because it helps you decide on the most important parts of the story before you actually write it. This makes it so much easier to fill in all of the details when you start writing later.
Sometimes it’s helpful to use a story map to plan. There are many different kinds, so you can choose one that works for you or even make your own. I’m going to use this story map to make a plan. It has space for me to plan the main character, setting, and three important events.
So first, I’ll plan my character. It helps to think about not just what your character looks like, but how they act too. My character is a superhero. She can fly, and she’s super strong. She also likes to help others. I think I’ll name her Super Megan.
Next, I’ll plan my setting. I should think about the time and place, but also the mood I’m trying to set. My story will take place in a big city at night. Maybe it will be stormy too. That would set a suspenseful mood.
Now I need to think about the important events in my story. I’ll start with just a regular event to get my story going. Then I’ll think about a problem my character has and how she might try to solve it. Finally, I’ll think about how I want my story to end.
So in the beginning of my story, maybe Super Megan is just walking home from a friend’s house in a storm. Then a problem arises. A problem can be big or small, as long as it’s interesting to the reader and makes sense with the rest of your story.
Well, it’s nighttime and it’s storming… What problem might a superhero have in this situation? Maybe she starts flying to quickly get out of the rain, but she sees a pole get struck by lightning and fall onto a car. That’s a big problem!
Finally, I need to decide what will happen in the end, which will include how the problem gets solved. Remember, my character is helpful and she’s super strong, so of course she’ll help lift the pole off of the car. I’ll add more details about the solution and my ending later, but this will help me get started.
If you get stuck while planning your story, you can always go back to brainstorming and list many possible problems and solutions you could use, and then pick the one you like the best.
Are you ready to start writing your imaginative narrative? Check out the next episode to see how I start writing an introduction.
