What Makes Up A Story?

1. What Makes Up A Story?

2. OPERA • There is an OPERA in every story. • What is an opera? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFrub-L0FuQ

3. Orientation • The orientation sets out who are involved in the story, what happened, when it happened and where it happened.

4. Problem • The problem introduces a complication to the story.

5. Events • The events describe a series of events triggered by the problem and how the characters respond to it. • Can include a climax – a high point in the story.

6. Resolution • The resolution deals with how the problem is overcome or resolved.

7. Advice/Conclusion • End the story with a piece of advice, an evaluation or a personal comment.

8. The Full Story

9. Orientation “Once bitten twice shy” – have you ever had an experience like this? I have had an unforgettable incident which made me vow never to repeat the same mistake again. That day had started with a blast, but ended up in the heaps. It was a hot and humid afternoon when school ended. I was with my best buddies, Tom, John and Ali. We decided to go home by taking the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train. When we boarded the MRT, I exclaimed, “Do you want to see some professional yoyo skills?” They nodded their head vigorously, eyes widened with excitement.

10. Problem So, as proud as a peacock, I began showing off my “yoyo” skills. I was gloating with pride when my buddies were so enthralled that they started jumping up and down cheering enthusiastically for me. I felt like I was on stage performing magic. We were oblivious to the noise we made and were indignant upon spotting the hard, stony looks the commuters shot at us. Then, John fished out his soccer ball from his bag and began doing some cool tricks with it. It was as if we were in a competition, competing against each other.

11. Events Suddenly, without warning, John’s ball “flew” out of his hand and was flying at top speed towards a commuter. The commuter gasped in shock and terror. His eyes widened in fear. My heart raced wildly thinking of the grave consequence which will happen. John tried to smack the spinning ball but to no avail. Luckily the commuter did not panic and was quick enough to catch the ball. He gave us a piece of his mind and we apologized profusely. Seconds later, a tall, big and gruff man towered in front of us. We were chilled to the bones and scared stiff. He was the train officer on duty that day!

12. Resolution Like a thunder roaring in anguish, he reprimanded us in front of all the commuters. Our heads hung low and we were blushing with embarrassment. When we got out of the MRT, he reported the incident to our school principal. Our knees went soft and wild thoughts raced through our minds. Will I be expelled? Public caning? Oh no! I could not sleep that night and was worried. On the very next day, the principal called for us. With arms akimbo, the principal ranted at us for misbehaving and spoiling the school’s image. Then, he dropped the bombshell. We had to be given public caning.

13. Advice/Conclusion • After the caning, our bottoms were aching in severe pain. For a whole week, we could not sit without grimacing in pain. We vowed not to repeat the same mistake again. Every time I see someone playing football nowadays, I will always remember the embarrassing incident etched in my memory. Sometimes, I can even feel a stinging sensation in my bottom.