How Writers Tell Stories

Dialogue, description, time words, and strong word choices, and what each one does for the reader.

Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.

What children learn in Level 53

Writers use tools to make stories come alive. Dialogue lets characters talk: “Can I try?” asked Mia.
Description paints a picture with details you can see, hear, feel, smell, or taste: The old barn smelled like hay and wet dogs.
Time-order words like first, after lunch, and finally help readers follow the events.
Strong words show exactly what happens. The cat crept toward the bird. Crept shows slow and quiet, much better than walked!
Show, don't tell. Instead of Leo was nervous, write: Leo chewed a pencil and tapped one foot. Readers figure it out!

Georgia's K-12 English Language Arts Standards:

3.T.T.1.a — Explain how narrative techniques are used to present ideas, design texts, and convey information about characters, setting, and plot. (I)
3.P.AC.1.b — Identify, apply, and analyze important, interesting, or effective uses of language, explaining or evaluating how specific word choices affect the target audience and support the text’s purpose. (I/C)