Write a one-sentence story
Write a one-sentence story that uses vivid sensory words, includes a surprising twist, and then illustrate it with a small drawing.
Step-by-step guide to write a one-sentence sensory story with a surprising twist and illustrate it with a small drawing
I tried Nelson's 9 Steps for Story Writing (and it's brilliant)
Step 1
Gather your paper pencil eraser and colouring materials and place them on a flat surface.
Step 2
Find a cozy quiet spot where you can sit comfortably and focus.
Step 3
Write at least five vivid sensory words on your paper for sight sound smell taste or touch.
Step 4
Write one surprising twist as a short phrase on your paper.
Step 5
Write a single sentence that uses at least two of your sensory words and includes your twist.
Step 6
Read your sentence out loud slowly to hear how it sounds.
Step 7
Replace any weak or boring words with stronger sensory words on your paper.
Step 8
Check that your story is exactly one sentence and that it ends with correct punctuation.
Step 9
Draw a small illustration on the same page that shows the twist and the main scene.
Step 10
Colour your drawing using your colouring materials to make it bright and clear.
Step 11
Write a short title for your story and add your name on the page.
Step 12
Share your finished one-sentence story and drawing on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have paper, colouring materials, an eraser, or a flat surface?
Use printer or scrap paper or a page torn from a notebook for paper, crayons/markers/colored pencils or magazine cutouts glued down instead of traditional colouring materials, a clean scrap of paper or correction tape for an eraser, and a clipboard, hardcover book, or baking tray on your lap as a flat surface.
My child either can't think of vivid sensory words or ends up writing more than one sentence—how can we fix that?
To find sensory words, prompt with the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) and have them say the scene out loud to pull out strong words, and to force exactly one sentence, circle the main clause, delete extra clauses or join them with commas so the page ends with one sentence and correct punctuation.
How can I adapt the activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids reduce 'write at least five sensory words' to three simple words, let an adult scribe the one-sentence story and focus on a big clear drawing, while for older kids require more sensory words (six to eight), add a twist that must be written as a literary device (simile or metaphor), and challenge them to revise words to be stronger before coloring and sharing on DIY.org.
What are easy ways to extend or personalize the one-sentence story and drawing?
Make a tiny booklet by folding extra pages to add variations of the same sentence, record a short audio of the child reading the final sentence to upload with the drawing on DIY.org, or enhance the illustration with glued textures and layered coloring to emphasize the twist and main scene.
Watch videos on how to write a one-sentence sensory story with a surprising twist and illustrate it with a small drawing
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Writing a story with beginning, middle, end - tutorial for kids
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Facts about creative writing for kids
✏️ Even a tiny sketch can set the mood: a few bold lines and one bright color can communicate feelings faster than lots of text.
🔁 A great plot twist makes readers see earlier details in a new light — the surprise works best if clues were hiding in plain sight.
📝 Flash fiction can be tiny — a famous six-word story often attributed to Ernest Hemingway shows how much can be said in very few words.
🎨 Many picture books tell half (or more) of their story with illustrations; some picture books have no words at all.
👃 Smell is one of the strongest triggers for memory, so adding scent words makes scenes feel extra real.
How do you guide a child to write a one-sentence sensory story with a twist and illustrate it?
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