Writing a Story

Follow these steps when you are ready to write a narrative, a story.

1. Brainstorm. Think about events in your childhood, in high school, at university. Write down all the ideas  that you can think of.

2. Select your favorite/most interesting ideas.

3. Build a timeline.

4. Write an outline. The outline will include an introduction to the events, the events in sequence (timeline), and a conclusion.

5. Write the first draft.

6. Edit.

7. Redraft. Rethink. Redraft.

Connectors and Punctuation

Connecting Words and How to Punctuate Them

Students often write in short sentences without connecting the sentences. This creates a disjointed and choppy effect, and frequently gets in the way of showing connections between ideas, as well as sentences. Occasionally students who write this way also fall into the habit of creating sentence fragments.

To create a better flow, four types of connecting words can be used: conjunctive adverbs, subordinating conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions, and transitions. The words which fall into these categories, however, may cause confusion for students because they don't know how to punctuate them properly.

By reviewing the lists of words below, keeping the lists handy, and following the guidelines for punctuation, students can improve their writing dramatically.

1. The first type of connecting words are conjunctive adverbs (to "conjunct" simply means to "join").  Conjunctive adverbs often fall in mid-sentence.  If you join two "independent clauses" (i.e., sentences) using one of these words, use a semicolon before it and a comma after it.  (You end a sentence with a period, right?  So if you join two sentences together with a comma, you're splicing them together.  That's called a comma splice and is a serious error.

Correct example:  I prefer to eat my dinner at the dining room table; instead, I usually eat in front of the television because I like to listen to the news. (The word "instead" is a conjunctive adverb.)

Incorrect:  I prefer to eat my dinner at the dining room table, instead, I usually eat in front of the television because I like to listen to the news. (This sentence contains a comma splice. The writer tries to join two separate sentences with a comma before "instead.")

When you see a conjunctive adverb in the middle of a sentence, a red flag should go up! Here's a list of conjunctive adverbs:

also

anyway

consequently

finally

furthermore

           

hence

however

incidentally

indeed

instead

           

likewise

meanwhile

moreover

nevertheless

next

           

nonetheless

otherwise

still

then

therefore

thus

2. Second, are subordinating conjunctions.  (To subordinate implies that something is of less importance than something else or that something depends on something else.)  If a subordinating conjunction falls in mid-sentence, there is usually no comma used.  If it starts a sentence, there is a comma after the introductory phrase (right before the subject and verb).

Correct example:  After eating dinner in front of the television all week, I decided to change locations. (The word "after" is a subordinating conjunction. Here it begins a sentence, leading to an introductory phrase. Notice that the comma falls right before the subject and verb.)

Compare:  I decided to change locations after eating dinner in front of the television all week.

(Notice that there is no comma before the "after" in the second example. Because it falls in mid-sentence, there is no introductory phrase which would require a comma.)

Here's a list of subordinating conjunctions: 

after

although

as

as [far/soon] as

as if

as though

because

before

even if

           

even though

how

if

inasmuch as

in case [that]

in order that

insofar as

in that

lest

           

no matter how

now that

once

provided [that]

since

so that

supposing [that]

than

that

           

though

till

unless

until

when, whenever

where, wherever

whether

while

why

3. Third, are coordinating conjunctions (of equal importance instead of lesser importance).  Put a comma before a coordinating conjunction only if it joins two independent clauses (i.e., if there is a subject and a verb on either side of the conjunction). If a subject or a verb is lacking on either side of the conjunction, there is no comma.

Correct example:  I used to eat dinner in front of the television every night, and I finally got tired of it.

Compare:  I used to eat dinner in front of the television every night and finally got tired of it.  (This sentence lacks a subject after the "and," so there is no comma.

List of coordinating conjunctions: 

and

so

           

yet

but

           

or

for

nor

4. Finally, there are transitional phrases, which usually begin a sentence and are followed by a comma:

after all

as a result

at any rate

at the same time

           

by the way

even so

for example (make sure there is a complete sentence)

in addition

           

in fact

in other words

in the second place

on the contrary

on the other hand

Use transitional phrases between paragraphs to create a logical flow in your writing. Use them within paragraphs, too. Avoid overusing a particular phrase.

Learning how to use these words will help you communicate clearly and with emphasis.  However, take care to punctuate them correctly because incorrect punctuation will frequently confuse your reader or even change the meaning of a sentence. Also, avoid archaic transitional phrases, such as "hitherto," "whereof," "whereby," and "whereas."

Descriptive Vocabulary

Here is a list of words you can use for descriptive vocabulary.

Common Descriptive Words

large, busy, clean, dirty, new, old, modern safe, unsafe, noisy, quiet, crowded, busy, interesting, spacious, hot, cold.

Interesting Descriptive Words

impulsive

dependable

well-adjusted

awkward

brilliant

hard-working

meticulous

generous

easygoing

ambitious

cheerful

hardworking

trustworthy

impatient

optimistic

sensitive

moody

sociable 

indecisive

reserved

lazy

attentive

adventurous

lonely

strong-minded

popular

determined

stubborn

confident

Sample Opinion Paragraph

Sample Paragraph                                                            Name, Number

Writing I                                                                        Date

                                                           

Saving Resources

         We should save resources by taking shorter baths, separating rubbish, and using eco-bags. I think if we take shorter baths, we will be able to save a lot of water. Water is so important for everyone, so we should conserve whenever we can. Some families reuse their bath water in the washing  machine. That’s a great idea. We can also help save the planet by separating our garbage. This is a good way to recycle materials. If we do this, we can keep our environment cleaner. We should recycle almost everything we use. We should challenge ourselves to do this. Finally, we should never accept extra packaging in the stores. We should always have our eco-bag ready. When the shop assistant starts to package everything in one or two or three ways, we can hole up our eco-bag and say, “This is enough. Thank you. “ I think Japan should ban plastic bags entirely. We must work very hard to live on this earth in an ecologically friendly way. It’s our responsibility.

Sample Dream City Paragraph

Sample Paragraph                                                            Name, Number

Writing I                                                                        Date

                                                           

My dream city

     London is my dream city. I would like to go there because it is historical, magnificent, and very diverse. Buckingham Palace, for example, is the official London residence of the British monarch. It is in the City of Westminster. The Palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. The Buckingham Palace Gardens are also there. The gardens are gorgeous and noble. There are other magnificent buildings in London, for example, The British Museum, Big Ben, and The Globe Theater. It would be very interesting to see these places and imagine the history through the buildings. London is also an extremely diverse city. It is now called a “non-majority” city. That means that no one culture dominates. Going to London is like traveling to many cities at the same time because of the multiplicity of cultures there. In conclusion, London is a world class city because of its history, amazing architecture, and diversity.

Sample Narrative Paragraph

A great day as a junior high school student

　           

     The most pleasant experience of my childhood was a school excursion when I was a junior high school student. Before we went on the excursion, I made a plan and set the order of the places my group members wanted to visit. We were full of expectations. On the first day we were in Kyoto. I visited Kiyomizu Temple. It was my first visit to this great and awesome Temple. I was really excited and astonished by the sights from the main Temple area. After that, I went to the confectionary store to make yatsuhashi. It was very tough work to make them well, but I did make them, and they were delicious. After this wonderful time, I soon realized that I had forgotten my purse at the store, and I had to go back there to get it. I was very upset at that time. In fact, I was frantic. However, I did get my purse back. I felt so relieved. The next day, we went to Hiroshima to see the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hall. It was sensational, miserable, and also profoundly interesting. After that we came back to Osaka and went to the biggest, tallest tower to eat a final dinner. At this wonderful dinner our teachers gave each of us a surprise present. I was so thrilled to receive it. On the final day, we went to USJ from early in the morning. I could ride many attractions, and I felt satisfied. I also bought so many souvenirs that I spent almost all my money. On the way back from Osaka, I was so tired that I slept the whole way, and when I came to, I was in Ishikawa. During this school excursion I had many precious experiences, and I will never forget those pleasant days throughout my life!!

Sample Instructions Paragraph

Excellent steps to staying healthy

     It is easy to stay healthy if you follow these steps. First of all, go to bed early. It will be the first time for me to take such a long flight, so I will be really tired. Also, I think I will suffer from jet lag, so it will be very important for me to go to bed early. Second, exercise moderately every day. Exercise is good for our bodies and minds, so it is very important as a daily habit. Third, eat a lot of vegetables at MFWI. I will eat food that I choose, so I have to choose healthy food. Fourth, think positively. I think I will be nervous, so thinking positively is a valuable way. Fifth, feel at home in our dormitory. Sixth, consult with friends about your worries. I think we will be tired and nervous at MFWI, so it is very important to relax. Seventh, keep early hours. Finally, eat breakfast. To eat breakfast, I will have to get up early, so keeping early hours will be very important. These steps are excellent ways for me, for all of us, to stay healthy at MFWI.

Sample Description Paragraph

Sample Paragraph

Writing I                                                            Name

                                                                        Number

                                                                        Date

My favorite place

     My room is my favorite place on earth because it is light, and it is a place of comfort and quiet. My bedroom is a place where I can rest. When I get home from school, I am tired, and I need a place to be quiet. My room is that retreat. Next, my room is also the best place to read. There are windows near my bed. It is light and sunny, and I enjoy reading in that atmosphere.  In my room I can also call my friends, watch TV and DVD’s. In this way I can communicate as well as rest. My bed is next to the dresser, so it is easy to talk there. The TV/DVD player is across from the bed. There are video games between the TV and the dresser, and on the video player.  so it is easy to watch TV and play DVD’s. In conclusion my room is a comfortable and welcoming place. It fills me with warm emotion.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes that many students make in their writing. I have also included some writing hints.

Common mistakes

And … use also or another connector. Do not start a sentence with And.

Then… Do not start a sentence with Then. Use… after that.. consequently,

next, in the end, the next thing…

Be careful of sentence fragments, e.g. Because she wants to study abroad.

She studies every day because she wants to study abroad.

.For example 

Join this to the rest of the sentence. It cannot be on its own.

and so on weakens a sentence. Be exact.

So Be careful starting sentences with So. It might be a fragment.

Now… and now Use other words, like currently… these days…

Anything/everything

Everything you do now will help you in the future.

You haven’t done anything about rewriting your paper.

There are many enjoyable places in Kanto area except Tokyo and Yokohama.

There are many enjoyable places in Kanto area in addition to Tokyo and Yokohama.

There are many foods...

There are many kinds of foods in Kobe

At there, no one is allowed to smoke

No one is allowed to smoke there.

There are a lot of nature.

There are many natural places in that area.

The nature is beautiful in Kyushu.

Ecotourism protects nature in many ways by helping people become aware of fragile ecosystems.

Set computer to double space

Use paragraph format

3 cm margins

Sample Paragraph Format

Paragraph Format

When you write a paragraph in English, you must use correct paragraph format. Follow this example.

                                                                                  Full Name/ Number

                                                                                  Date

                                                                                  Class

                                                          Title

     The first sentence of your paragraph must be indented five spaces. This sentence is also your topic sentence, a general statement about your paragraph Do not start each sentence on a new line. Each sentence begins where the sentence before it ended. The rest of the lines should start at the left margin. Margins on both sides of the page, left and right, should be three centimeters. Begin each sentence with a capital letter, and end each sentence with correct punctuation: a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point. Also, you should double-space your paragraph. This means writing on every other line. Center your title on the first line, add your name, write the date in the upper right-hand corner. Your last sentence should be an interesting conclusion to your paragraph.