Story writing is an exciting part of the SPM English exam that allows you to be creative while following a good paragraphing style. Your story should capture the reader’s interest, follow a logical flow, and display good use of English. Here is how to approach it:
A good story is written in five paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: Introduction (The Beginning)
Set the scene: Describe the setting, characters, or situation.
Start with a hook: Use an exciting event, dialogue, or question to grab the reader’s attention.
Example: "As Amelia settled into her seat and looked at the exam paper, she felt a surge of both hope and worry."
Paragraphs 2-4: Development (The Middle)
Paragraph 2: Introduce the conflict or problem. What challenge or event changes the situation?
Example: "The first few questions seemed easy, but then she reached one that left her completely confused."
Paragraph 3: Build suspense. Show how the character deals with the problem.
Example: "Amelia’s heart raced as the clock ticked. She closed her eyes, trying to calm down and recall her lessons."
Paragraph 4: Move towards the climax or turning point.
Example: "Just as she felt like giving up, she remembered a tip her teacher gave about handling tough questions."
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Resolve the conflict: Show how the problem is solved or how the character learns a lesson.
Leave an impact: End with a surprising twist, a powerful message, or a reflection.
Example: "Amelia handed in her paper with a smile, realising that staying calm had made all the difference."
Content:
Ensure the story matches the topic or prompt given.
Include relevant ideas, interesting details, and creative elements.
Communicative Achievement:
Engage the reader by making the story interesting and easy to follow.
Use dialogue, emotions, or descriptions to make the story lively.
Organisation:
Follow the five-paragraph structure.
Use linking words like suddenly, meanwhile, after that, later, finally to connect ideas smoothly.
Language:
Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures.
Avoid major grammar errors to ensure the story is clear.
Use descriptive language to make the story vivid.
Example: "The room was silent except for the sound of pens scratching on paper."
Plan Before Writing: Spend 5-10 minutes planning your story. Outline the main events before you begin.
Show, Don’t Tell: Use actions and descriptions to show emotions or events instead of simply stating them.
Instead of: "Amelia was scared," write: "Amelia’s hands trembled as she flipped to the next page."
Use Dialogue: Add conversations to make the story more engaging.
Example: "‘I can’t do this,’ Amelia whispered to herself. ‘Yes, you can,’ she remembered her teacher saying."
Add a Twist: If possible, include an unexpected ending or event to make the story memorable.
Title: Facing Fear, Finding Strength
Introduction: Amelia felt nervous as she started her exam.
Conflict: She faced a challenging question that shakes her confidence.
Suspense: She struggled but recalled her teacher’s advice.
Climax: She calmed down and completed the paper with renewed focus.
Conclusion: She learned that staying calm and believing in herself was important.
Write a story based on the following opening sentence. Your story should have five paragraphs and be 200–250 words. Remember to include a clear introduction, development, and conclusion.
Opening Sentence:
"As Amelia settled into her seat and looked at the exam paper, she felt a surge of both hope and worry."
Paragraph 1: Introduction
As Amelia settled into her seat and looked at the exam paper, she felt a surge of both hope and worry. The room was silent except for the faint sound of pages turning and pens scratching on paper. She had spent weeks revising for this moment, yet doubt lingered in her mind. Her friends had told her she would do well, but the pressure was overwhelming. Taking a deep breath, she whispered to herself, "You’ve got this."
Paragraph 2: Conflict
The first few questions were straightforward, and Amelia’s confidence grew with every answer she wrote. However, as she turned to the next page, her heart sank. A question she hadn’t prepared for stared back at her, making her mind go blank. She glanced at the clock, feeling the seconds slip away like grains of sand. Panic bubbled inside her as she struggled to think of anything that might help her solve the problem.
Paragraph 3: Suspense
Amelia closed her eyes, trying to push away the fear that threatened to take over. She remembered her teacher’s advice: “Skip the hard questions and come back to them later.” With a shaky hand, she moved on to the next section, answering the easier questions first. As she wrote, her mind started piecing together clues for the difficult question. Slowly, fragments of an answer began to form, giving her a glimmer of hope.
Paragraph 4: Climax
With only ten minutes left, Amelia returned to the challenging question. Her heart raced, but she knew she had to try. Step by step, she applied everything she could remember from her lessons. Suddenly, the solution became clear, and her pen flew across the paper as she wrote the answer. She glanced at the clock—just two minutes to spare—and smiled in relief. Mia felt proud that she had pushed through and trusted herself.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
As Amelia handed in her paper, a sense of accomplishment washed over her. She knew she had given it her best, even when things got tough. Walking out of the exam hall, she realised she had learned something more important than facts: how to stay calm under pressure. Her teacher’s advice and her own perseverance had made all the difference. Smiling to herself, Amelia remembered this lesson in her life,
Five Sentences in Each Paragraph:
Each paragraph has exactly five sentences, adding depth and detail while maintaining a clear structure.
This ensures sufficient elaboration and supports the narrative without making it too short or rushed.
Content:
All elements of the story (introduction, conflict, suspense, climax, conclusion) are developed fully with enough explanation to engage the reader.
Communicative Achievement:
The story captures emotions (fear, relief, pride) and keeps the reader interested throughout.
Organisation:
The story is logically structured with smooth transitions between paragraphs.
Language:
The vocabulary is clear and appropriate for B2 level, with descriptive language to establish vivid imagery.