Story Writing – Class 10 English
1. What is Story Writing?
Story writing is a creative narrative where you tell about an incident or a set of events in an engaging way. For Class 10 under CBSE you will often be given:
- an opening line, or
- hints/outlines, or
- a theme.
You write a short story (usually 150-200 words) with a proper beginning, middle and end.
The story should have characters, setting, conflict (a problem) and resolution (how the problem is solved).
2. Structure / Format
Follow this structure to make your story coherent and exam-friendly:
| Part | What you write |
|---|---|
| Title | Give a short, relevant, interesting title. |
| Beginning | Introduce main characters, setting (time & place) and hint at incident or problem. |
| Middle | Develop the plot: show conflict, the challenge, the events that happen. You may include dialogues or descriptive detail. |
| Climax | The turning point: main event or highest tension in the story. |
| Conclusion | Resolve the incident, show outcome, and if appropriate give a moral or reflection. |
You should keep your story within the word limit given in the question (typically 150-200 words for Class 10).
3. Features of a Good Story
- Clear chronological order (events follow logically).
- Balanced character development: you introduce character(s) and show how they react or change.
- Use of descriptive language: setting, senses, mood.
- Dialogue (sparingly) to make it lively.
- One main conflict or problem (not too many sub-plots for a short exam story).
- A satisfying ending — no loose ends unless the question allows open‐ending.
4. Step-by-Step Writing Guide
Step 1: Understand the prompt
- Note the opening line/theme/hints.
- Note word limit (150-200 usually).
- Decide characters, setting, plot in a few bullet-points.
Step 2: Plan your story in brief
Write 4-5 bullet points:
- Who (character)
- Where/when (setting)
- What problem happens
- How it develops
- How it is resolved
Step 3: Write the story
- Write the title.
- Start with an engaging opening line.
- Introduce characters/setting.
- Build up the problem → events → climax.
- Resolve and end.
- Use paragraphs sensibly.
- Keep language simple, correct grammar, avoid overly complex vocabulary.
- Stick to the word-limit.
Step 4: Revise
- Check that story flows.
- Look for grammar, spelling mistakes.
- Ensure you used tense consistently (past tense is common).
- Ensure conflict is clear and resolution is visible.
5. Sample Story
Prompt: “I never imagined a simple walk in the park would lead to this…” (150-200 words)
Title: The Unexpected Friendship
I never imagined a simple walk in the park would lead to this. On Sunday morning I strolled through Maple Grove, reading a book and enjoying the breeze. Suddenly I noticed a small dog limping by the pond’s edge. His fur was damp and his eyes full of fear. I knelt beside him and said softly, “Hey little one, are you okay?” He whimpered and leaned on my leg. I carried him home, cleaned his wound, and searched for his owner. No one claimed him. Over the next few days he followed me to the park, wagged his tail when I called his name, and waited by my gate each evening. Soon I realised that what began as a walk was the start of a bond. The dog, whom I named Buddy, became my faithful companion and cheered me when I felt lonely. That unexpected friendship taught me that kindness can change lives — sometimes yours too.
6. Useful Phrases & Vocabulary
- Setting / Beginning: It was a bright summer morning…, The moment I stepped out…, Under the pale moonlight…
- Conflict / Middle: Suddenly, to my horror…, I realised the problem was…, Without warning…, Just when I thought all was lost…
- Dialogue examples: “Are you alright?” I asked nervously. “Thank you,” she whispered.
- Conclusion / Moral: In the end, I learnt that…, That experience taught me…, From then on I decided to…
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting too slowly with irrelevant details — get into the story.
- Introducing too many characters or side-plots (makes story confusing).
- Forgetting to resolve the conflict.
- Writing random events not linked logically — no proper flow.
- Ignoring the word limit.
- Using complicated language but with mistakes — clarity matters.
- Writing in point form or bullet style — story must be narrative paragraph(s).
Practice Topics (15 Sample Prompts)
Write a story (150-200 words) based on each of the following prompts:
- “The old radio crackled once, and then silence took over…”
- You visited a museum, and one of the displays blinked. What happened next?
- A rainy evening, a stray cat follows you into your house.
- Hints: A letter arrives, the address is yours but you didn’t send it, then you discover a secret.
- Theme: “Honesty is the best policy.”
- Opening line: “The moment I touched the painting, I heard a voice…”
- Hints: A group of students on a treasure hunt, map found, unexpected twist, lesson learned.
- Picture-based prompt: Show a tree, lightning strikes it at midnight, something magical happens.
- Theme: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
- Opening line: “It was the first day at my new school and nothing seemed familiar…”
- Hints: A smartphone falls into a river, you dive in, you find something unexpected.
- Theme: “Actions speak louder than words.”
- Opening line: “At exactly 12 o’clock the clock stopped ticking…”
- Hints: Your school organises a clean-up drive, you join, you face resistance, you inspire change.
- Picture-based prompt: An empty bench in a deserted park at dawn, you sit on it and something happens.
