Theme

Plot

Story structure

Characters

Setting

Style and tone

How to write a children’s story.

Theme

Plot

Story structure

Characters 

Style and tone

Warnings!

            It must also carry a very abrupt ending to conclude the story whilst jumping into the action from the onset of the book.       

            The characters must additionally follow the same examples; someone clear who the readers can relate to and empathises with. The setting must also be relatable to both the character and the readers. 

Theme
Don’t state your theme- let it emerge. 
Keep it positive!

Plot
Build around conflict, if there isn’t any conflict add another device.
The conflict should always result in increasing dramatic tension, which peaks towards the end, with a solution.

Story Structure
Jump right into action, bringing the story to a prompt close at the end.
Make the best choice between first and third person; thinking of narrator and main character.
Have one main character whose point of view you see along the majority of the story.

Characters
Know your characters thoroughly before starting to write!
The main character should be someone that the audience can sympathise/ relate to (nearer to the top ages of your audience.) 
Give one or more telling details of your characters- a physical trait, a mannerism and a favourite phrase.

Setting, Style and Tone
Set your story in a familiar place.
Write simply, directly, in short words/ sentences and paragraphs.
Use dialog wherever possible- make direct quotes.
Avoid big chunks of narration- especially description.
Use poetic devices, e.g. rhythm, repetition, alliteration and rhyme.

Tips!
Keep nice and simple; don’t make too complex for your age group.
Make your dictation audience appropriate.
Avoid using slang words or inappropriate slang/ situations.
Differentiate your characters (especially names) to not cause confusion!

!

                               

Step One: create a theme with a setting and set of characters which can be related to the theme. (make sure the characters have simple easy to say names). 

Step two: the style of your writing needs to be fairly simple, easy to understand (possibly add some learning vocabulary into it which may educate then but don’t make it too difficult)

Step three: your plot should be interesting, somewhere the child may not have been to before, and this will allow them to imagine certain aspects

Step four: add simple illustrations the child may find interesting or funny but make sure they’re related to the theme/ story plot

Step five: use simple yet descriptive terms to each place or item or person you talk about

Step six: use off alliteration, similes, metaphors & onomatapere to make the story more interesting

Step seven: limit the amoun t of text you have on each page, too much text may make the child lose interest as it istoo much information at once

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Theme 

Plot 

Story structure 

Characters 

Setting

Style and Tone 

Children’s stories should always be positive 

Avoid discriminations and stereotypes 

Make the theme subtle but clear

Make the theme approachable

 

Choose first person or third person narration

Start with action, finish with a prompt close

The story should be told through the eyes of a single character- usually the main character, this is usually where the conflict happens

Plot is normally build around a conflict involving the main character with other characters, or an obvious dilemma that needs to be solved 

Conflict takes the form of a problem that the character must resolve. The character must succeed or fail, preferably succeed 

The conflict must have a climax near to the middle of the story

A novel may have multiple conflicts but a short story or picture book should only have one.

Before you start writing know your characters thoroughly, introduce them clearly

Identify your characters with one or more telling details 

The main character is someone the reader can identify and/or sympathise with, the main character should be the top age of your targeted audience

Write simply and directly, in short words short sentences short paragraphs

Avoid big chunks of narration 

Use dialogue wherever possible

Use language that creates an atmosphere

For younger children uses poetic devices

Avoid being cutesy or sweet

 

·         Avoid using slang words or inappropriate language 

·         Try not to give the characters long names
Try and make is as colourful as possible