ABSTRACT
Children often write stories that are skeletal and episodic. One is reminded of the 100-word book report in the musical You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown—lots of words on the way to lots of “the ends.” To write stories, students need plots and plenty of them. It has been said that there are only four basic plots. Could these be exemplified by Cinderella, Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, and The Emperor’s New Clothes? From these and other familiar stories, even nursery rhymes, students and teacher can create plot designs or maps. When these designs are displayed, students choose a plot, create a setting and characters, and begin writing. The result will be more satisfying than Charlie’s 100 words and students’ episodic stories. From Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story did spring.
