Story Word Bank Worksheet (High School)
Characters & People
• protagonist
• antagonist
• hero
• villain
• teacher
• student
• stranger
• family
(Add your own: _____________)
Settings & Places
• classroom
• city
• forest
• village
• battlefield
• home
• street
• island
(Add your own: _____________)
Time & Sequence Words
• suddenly
• meanwhile
• afterwards
• before
• during
• later
• eventually
• finally
(Add your own: _____________)
Action Verbs
• discover
• escape
• fight
• explore
• whisper
• shout
• create
• destroy
(Add your own: _____________)
Descriptive Adjectives
• mysterious
• powerful
• fragile
• dangerous
• brave
• lonely
• ancient
• modern
(Add your own: _____________)
Linking Words
• however
• therefore
• although
• because
• in addition
• on the other hand
• as a result,
• finally
(Add your own: _____________)
Exercise 1
Step 1: Choose a character.
Step 2: Place them in a setting.
Step 3: Add an action verb.
Step 4: Use adjectives to describe.
Step 5: Connect sentences with linking words.
Example: “The hero entered the ancient forest. He wanted
to discover the truth. However, the mysterious stranger
was waiting.”
STORY STARTER TEMPLATE
1. Introduction (Setting the Scene)
• One day, [character] was at [place].
• It was [time word], and everything seemed
[adjective].
(Example: One day, the hero was at school. It was morning,
and everything seemed normal.)
2. Rising Action (Building the Situation)
• Suddenly, [character] decided to [action verb].
• But then, [new character or event] appeared.
• This made [character] feel [adjective].
(Example: Suddenly, the hero decided to explore the forest.
But then, a stranger appeared. This made him feel
nervous.)
3. Conflict (The Problem)
• The problem was that [conflict description].
• [Character] tried to [action verb], but [obstacle].
(Example: The problem was that the stranger wanted to
fight. The hero tried to escape, but the forest was too
dark.)
4. Resolution (Solving the Problem)
• Finally, [character] managed to [solution action].
• As a result, [outcome].
(Example: Finally, the hero managed to find the exit. As a
result, he escaped safely.)
5. Conclusion (Wrap-Up)
• In the end, [character] learned that [lesson].
• It was a [adjective] day, but [final thought].
(Example: In the end, the hero learned that courage is
important. It was a scary day, but he survived.)
Exercise 2
• Pick words from the story word bank
worksheet (characters, places, actions, adjectives,
linking words).
• Then fill in each blank step by step.
• By the end, you’ll have a 5-part short story with a clear
beginning, middle, and end.
STEP-BY-STEP STORY STARTER WORKSHEET
1. Introduction (Setting the Scene)
One day, ____________________ (character) was at
____________________ (place). It was ____________________
(time word), and everything seemed ____________________
(adjective).
2. Rising Action (Building the Situation)
Suddenly, ____________________ (character) decided to
____________________ (action verb). But then,
____________________ (new character or event)
appeared. This made ____________________ (character) feel
____________________ (adjective).
3. Conflict (The Problem)
The problem was that ____________________ (conflict
description). ____________________ (character) tried to
____________________ (action verb), but ____________________
(obstacle).
4. Resolution (Solving the Problem)
Finally, ____________________ (character) managed to
____________________ (solution action). As a result,
____________________ (outcome).
5. Conclusion (Wrap-Up)
In the end, ____________________ (character) learned
that ____________________ (lesson). It was a
____________________ (adjective) day, but
____________________ (final thought).
STORY STARTER WORKSHEET WITH DIALOGUE
EXERCISE 3
1. Introduction (Setting the Scene)
One day, ____________________ (character) was at
____________________ (place).
It was ____________________ (time word), and everything
seemed ____________________ (adjective).
[Dialogue Prompt] “____________________,” said
____________________ (character).
2. Rising Action (Building the Situation)
Suddenly, ____________________ (character) decided to
____________________ (action verb).
But then, ____________________ (new character or event)
appeared.
This made ____________________ (character) feel
____________________ (adjective).
[Dialogue Prompt] “____________________,” whispered
____________________ (character).
3. Conflict (The Problem)
The problem was that ____________________ (conflict
description).
____________________ (character) tried to
____________________ (action verb), but ____________________
(obstacle).
[Dialogue Prompt] “____________________!” shouted
____________________ (character).
[Plot Twist Prompt] Just when it seemed
____________________, something unexpected happened:
____________________.
4. Resolution (Solving the Problem)
Finally, ____________________ (character) managed to
____________________ (solution action).
As a result, ____________________ (outcome).
[Dialogue Prompt] “____________________,” explained
____________________ (character).
[Plot Twist Prompt] But then, ____________________ (surprise
event) changed everything again.
5. Conclusion (Wrap-Up)
In the end, ____________________ (character) learned that
____________________ (lesson).
It was a ____________________ (adjective) day, but
____________________ (final thought).
[Dialogue Prompt] “____________________,” reflected
____________________ (character).
Tips
• Use dialogue to reveal emotions, motives, or secrets.
• Add plot twists to keep the story unpredictable (e.g., a
hidden identity, sudden betrayal, unexpected ally).
• Write at least one twist in the conflict or resolution
stage.
• Dialogue should sound natural and move the story
forward.
