Writing

Story

Narrative tenses, connectors, tension.

Narrative tenses · Connectors · Beginnings · Endings

B1 · Writing

Writing a Story at B1

At B1 level you may be asked to continue a story or write one based on a first line. Use past tenses and narrative connectors to build tension and interest.

Tenses to use

Past simple (events) · Past continuous (background) · Past perfect (earlier events)

Goal

Engage the reader — create a clear beginning, middle and end

Length

140–190 words

Narrative tenses — quick review

Past simple

Main events — what happened: She opened the door and froze.

Past continuous

Background: The rain was falling heavily.

Past perfect

Earlier events: She realised she had left her phone at home.

Story connectors

Beginning

One day, · It was a dark and stormy night, · Last summer,

Sequence

Then, / Next, / After that, / Suddenly, / All at once,

Time

Later, / Eventually, / Before long, / At that moment,

Ending

Finally, / In the end, / From that day on, / She never forgot...

Creating tension

She was walking home when she heard a strange noise behind her. She stopped and listened. Silence. Then, suddenly, the lights went out.

Short sentences = tension and pace. Longer sentences = description and background. Mix them for effect.

Summary

Opening

Set the scene — time, place, character

Middle

Problem or event — use past simple + connectors

End

Resolution or surprise ending — Finally / In the end

Key tenses

Past simple · Past continuous · Past perfect