STORY GRAMMAR

WHAT IS STORY GRAMMAR?

Story grammar is the pattern of a fictional or made up story.

When you write, you will use a story grammar pattern, too.

SOMEBODY

Who is the main character?

WANTED

What does the main character want?

BUT

What is the problem?

SO

What does the character do to solve

the problem?

THEN

How did the story end? Was the problem solved?

EXAMPLE USING CINDERELLA

Somebody (Main Character): CinderellaWanted (What did they want?): To go to

the ballBut (What kept her from this?): Evil

stepmother wouldn’t let her go.So (What did she do about it?): Fairy

godmother paid a visit and made her a dress and carriage.

Then (How did it end?): Cinderella went to the ball, fell in love, and live happily ever after.

EXAMPLE USING CHARLOTTE’S WEB

Somebody (Main Character): WilburWanted (What did they want?): To live a long,

peaceful, and fat life.But (What kept her from this?): He is being fattened

up for the slaughterhouse. So (What did she do about it?): With the help of his

friend Charlotte and her words in the webs, Wilbur wins special prize at the fair.

Then (How did it end?): Lives on Zuckerman’s farm. Charlotte passes, but leaves behind many friends for Wilbur.

WHEN YOU WRITE, BEGIN YOUR STORY OUTLINE WITH

Somebody…Wanted… But… So… Then…