Tell the story of a busy day in the past, with a clear beginning, middle and end and words like first, then and finally.
A short story tells the reader what happened, in order. It has a beginning (when and where, who was there), a middle (what happened, often a problem) and an end (how it finished and how you felt). Stories use the past simple, and time words like first, then, after that and finally help the reader to follow the events.
Model text
The longest Monday
Last Monday was the busiest day of my life. My alarm didn't ring, so I woke up at eight instead of seven.
First, I ran to the bus stop, but I missed the bus. Then I took a taxi to the office. When I arrived, my manager asked me to give a presentation at ten because my colleague was ill. After that, I had three meetings and no time for lunch.
Finally, at seven o'clock, I got home and ate a huge bowl of pasta. I was tired but happy, because the presentation went well.
Useful language
Part of the story
Useful language
Beginning: when
Last Monday ... / One day last summer ... / Yesterday morning ...
Order of events
First, ... / Then ... / After that, ... / Later, ...
At the same time
When I arrived, ... / While I was waiting, ...
Reason and result
... because the bus was late. / ... so I took a taxi.
Ending
Finally, ... / In the end, ... / At last, ...
Feelings
I was tired but happy. / I felt really relieved.
Exercise 1 of 2
Linking words in stories
Choose the best word or phrase.
Exercise 2 of 2
What happened?
Type the past simple form of the verb in brackets.
1.My phone (ring) at six in the morning.
2.I (forget) my keys at home.
3.We (catch) the last train.
4.My sister (help) me carry the boxes.
5.I (feel) very tired in the evening.
6.The meeting (begin) at nine.
7.I (not / have) time for breakfast.
Your turn
Writing task
Write a short story with the title 'A very busy day'. Say when it happened and what happened first. Describe a problem and what you did. Say how the day ended and how you felt.
0 words
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Sample answer
One Saturday last spring, my family moved to a new flat. We had only one day and a small van.
First, my brother and I carried thirty boxes down four floors because the lift was broken. Then my father drove the van across the city, but he got lost twice. While we were unloading the boxes, it started to rain, so we ran inside with everything.
In the end, at midnight, we sat on the floor of our new kitchen and ate sandwiches. I was exhausted, but I felt proud of my family.
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Source
Original lesson by Joy English.
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