Teach Story Elements with a Picture Book

Even if you aren’t a trained teacher, you can use picture books to teach creative writing.

Help! We Need a Title! by Herve Tullet provides a fun and funny springboard into the world of story writing.

You can use this picture book to teach story elements to early elementary students.

How to Use a Picture Book to Teach Story Elements

1. Read the book, Help! We Need a Title! by Herve Tullet to your student.

2. Discuss stories. What makes a story a story? What are the different parts? Based on this book, you can emphasize these six story parts:

• author
• title
• characters
• setting
• conflict*
• resolution*

As you have this discussion with your student, refer back to the book you read together. Who was the author? What was the title? Who are the characters? What is the setting? The conflict? The resolution?

If your student needs additional practice with story elements, choose another favorite picture book and read it together. Discuss the elements.

*Note: If your student isn’t ready for the words conflict or resolution, you can say “problem” and “solution to the problem” instead.

3. Complete the printable brainstorming activity. I created this page so that students can type directly on the page. You can also use a printed version, if desired.

4. If your student is inspired by the brainstorming activity, let him compose a story.

Printable Brainstorming Activity Page

The story elements activity page is simple to use. Guide your student through the part of a story. If necessary, review the parts from Help! We Need a Title!

1. Your student can add her own name on the author slot—giving her ownership and producing pride.
2. The other five boxes can be completed in any order. If your student gets stuck, help her generate ideas by asking her questions.

• Setting: Where will her story begin?
• Characters: Who is starring in this tale?
• Title: What will she name this adventure?
• Conflict: What problems will develop? What dilemmas will the characters overcome?
• Resolution: How will the problems be solved?

When your student is finished, she may or may not want to use her brainstorming page to write a story.

Maybe she will want to complete another brainstorming page. Give her options. She should believe she has choices–because she is the author.

Download the Story Elements Activity Page

Simply click the link below to grab your “Help! I’m Writing a Story!” printable to help you use a picture book to teach story elements.

>>> Download the Printable Story Elements Activity Page <<<

More Creative Writing Lessons

Are you looking for more engaging creative writing lessons for your student? Try my Creative Writing Lessons page.