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At the onset you need to understand what a story is. One definition of story is just an account of events — real or imagined — that are connected and told to entertain, teach, or make you feel something.
The three ingredients every story needs
The ingredient is what it means. Characters — Who the story is about. Is it the conductor in the bus or the tea seller at the bus rank? Setting is where and when your story happens. Is it at school before assembly at 7 am?
The third ingredient is the plot. What happens: problem — events and ending. Example problem: bus is full. Problem —Events: Themba waits, worries, gets free tea. Ending: He fears less- anxious.
In sample examination board shows up two ways: Comprehension: You read someone else’; story and answer questions about it. Composition: You write your own story. Paper One calls it “Free composition” or “Narrative Essay”.
Free composition rules
A composition must have a beginning, middle, end. Show, do not just tell. Her hands shook = she was scared. 350-450 words for Form Three to Four. Stick to the topic they give you. Quick test: Is this a story?” I went to town It was hot. I brought bread. I came home.
Not really — no problem, no feelings, no ending that matters. This is a story: I went to town at midday. The heat was brutal. When I reached the bakery, the last loaf was taken by the person in front of me. My little brother would be so disappointed. Then the baker saw my face and pulled out a fresh loaf from the back. I almost cried.
Here are the main types of stories you will meet in school and the public examination. Think of them as different flavours — same basic ingredients, different taste. Main type of stories. You have the type, what it does, key features and example topic for Paper 1.
The narrative tells what happened, step by step. Key features are characters, plot, setting. Use I or he or she. Write a story ending “. . . and that was when I knew I would never lie again. Descriptive paints a picture with words. On this one you focus on senses: see, hear, smell, fell. Less action, more detail. Example topic: Describe the busiest market you have ever visited.
Expository explains or teaches something. Key features are facts, steps, “how/why”. No characters are needed here. Example of a topic could read as “Write a story showing how a village solved water shortages.” Fable teaches a moral lesson. Key feature is animals act like people. Ends with The moral is . . . Example of the topic: “The Tortoise and the Hare.”
Myths and legends explains beliefs or history. Key features are Gods, heroes, magic. Based on culture. Example of a topic: “The Legend of Nyaminyami.” In the public examination you will mainly use three types. Narrative is the most common. Tells a story with a problem and resolution.
Tips you can use here: Use dialogue + feelings “Bus yakazara!” the conductor shouted. Descriptive =Called Descriptive Composition. You are making the reader see it. Argumentative/ Persuasive =Called Argumentative Essay can be written as a story. Tip: Use a character who learns the lesson to prove your point
Quick way to choose in the examination
“Write a story about . . . Use narrative. “Describe . . . Use descriptive Do you agree. . . Use argumentative, but telling it through a story scores higher.
Test yourself: What type is this? The Bulawayo market at dawn smells of fresh tomatoes and diesel. Vendors unwrap their goods while the first kombis hoot impatiently. Answer: Descriptive — no plot yet, just painting the scene.
What is usually common in story openings?
A good story opening has one job: make the reader want to keep reading. At marking, examiners look for three things in your first paragraph. Miss these and lose marks before even the story starts.
Things common in strong story openings
The first common element is hook the reader as you write. This grabs attention in the first line. The weak version of such a story is: I woke up. The stronger version reads: The gunshot tore through my dream at 3am.
The next element is character and setting. You need to know who and where fast. For example, it could be the boy was at school. A stronger version could read: Themba gripped his torn blazer as the headmaster pointed at him in assembly. There is a problem hint which shows conflict is coming.
The weak version reads: It was a normal day. A stronger version could be: It was supposed to be a normal day, until the envelope arrived. Mood/weather sets the feeling quickly. Weak version: It was sunny. A stronger opening could read like: The heat struck to my skin like a bad promise.
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