Story Pirates University: Comedic Story Structure

From Story Pirates University

Story Pirates University: Comedic Story Structure
3 min3rd4th5thReading & Writing (ELA)Theatre
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Summary

A short creative-writing lesson from Story Pirates University, the storytelling program run by the Story Pirates comedy troupe. This lesson shows how a comedic story is structured — a ridiculous plan set in motion and followed all the way through. A Story Pirates professor models the idea with kid-friendly humor, then hands it off for students to try in their own writing or acting.

Viewer safety

All ages

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Teaching resources

Discussion questions

Discussion

Story Pirates turns kids' story ideas into comedy and adventure.

  1. What made the example in this lesson funny or exciting?
  2. How could you use this technique in a story of your own?
  3. Whose story from your class would you most want to see performed, and why?

Quick work-a-long

Vocabulary: character, setting, plot, obstacle, surprise.

Try it: Watch the lesson, then use the technique to write — or act out — a short scene of your own. Share it with a partner and ask what they liked best.