Developing Storyline
Creative Writing Techniques
Mrs. McLaughlin
Theme
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Directions: Choose a “theme” for your story. When you write a theme, you do not mention
characters.
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Example: Do not judge a book by its cover.
Example: The easy way is not always the best way.
Example: What goes around comes around.
Example: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Example: Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Example: Things aren’t always what they seem to be.
Example: Slow and steady wins the race.
Example: Don’t talk to strangers.
Example: If you play with fire, you may get burned.
Example: If the going gets tough, YOU get going!
Example: Mind over matter.
Example: Keep your chin-up and don’t let bad things get you down.
Example: Be careful for what you wish for.
Example: For every cloud, there is a silver lining.
Example: Rules are made for a reason.
Example: Stand up for what you believe in
Example: Better to be safe than sorry!
Example: The grass is not always greener on the other side.
Example: Think before you speak.
“The Wizard of Oz”: There is no place like home.
Your Theme:
Characters
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Directions: Write up to three main characters with a detailed description. Specifically
identify the protagonist and antagonist.
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Example: Dorothy: Dorothy is a naïve, young girl who who is trying to return home.
She is the protagonist because she is the one trying to accomplish the goal of
returning home and learns the lesson.
Example: The Wicked Witch: The antagonist is the Wicked Witch who is preventing
Dorothy from returning home by sending monkeys out to capture her.
Example: Other characters:
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Protagonist: Usually the hero of the story trying to accomplish a goal.
Antagonist: The person or animal trying to prevent the protagonist from achieving his/her
goal.
1. The Tin Man: He helps Dorothy to achieve her goal of returning home by assisting her to
see the Wizard. He also needs a heart.
2. The Lion: He helps Dorothy too and needs courage.
3. The Scarecrow: He also helps Dorothy to the Wizard and needs brains.
Your Protagonist:
Your Antagonist:
Other Important Characters:
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Problem
Directions: Identify the main problem of
your story.
 Example: A tornado struck Dorothy’s home
sending her into a new land. Now she
needs to get home, but a wicked witch is
trying to capture her.
 Your Problem:
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Solution
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Directions: Identify how the problem is solved.
 Example: Through the help of her three friends,
the lion, the scarecrow, and the tin man, Dorothy
melts the witch with water. The Good-Witch then
sends her home because Dorothy has learned
her lesson that “There is no place like home.”
She no longer takes her family and home for
granted and has learned to appreciate them.