Ashoka Group of Schools

Ashoka Marg
Academic Session – 2024-25

Instructions for short story writing-

Word Limit - Minimum 1000 words
Judging Criteria-
Originality
Characterization
Plot & theme
Setting & atmosphere
Mechanics (spelling, grammar, paragraphing, and punctuation)
Writing quality (quality of the author’s prose and deftness in handling
point-of-view)
Passion (Does this story engage your emotions?)
Few pointers for an effective short story writing-
1. Don’t start with the weather (It was a bright, sunny day… It was a dark
and stormy night… It was rather chilly with a brisk easterly etc)
2. A clearly defined mood or feeling- This can be a genre (humor, romance,
horror); an idea (adultery, childbirth, life lessons); or an emotion (loss,
grief, joy), or it can be a combination—as long as it is cohesive and the
point is clear.
3. Clear, descriptive language that sets up the concept of the story quickly
and without being superfluous.
4. A small cast of characters, including a main character and supporting
character(s) who must serve a vital role in the story.
5. A strong point of view. Know from the beginning what it is you want to
say with your short story. Ask yourself: what do you want people to feel or
think as they read your story? Make sure this point of view is clearly
reflected throughout the story
6. Narrow the focus as you write- As you write, try to stay focused on the
plot and characters. If a description or piece of dialogue seems to detract
from your plot and character development, you might set it aside to see if it
fits in another section.
7. Create an effective ending- Think about the characters and the changes
through which they've gone during the story. Try reading the scene before
the last as if you were the reader and decide how they might want the story
to end.