Self Publishing Resources

How To Write A Short Story Outline—Get It Done In 4 Easy Steps

  • June 24, 2022

If you’ve got a short story idea but don’t know how to put it together in one literary piece, this article can help you get started. 

Below we’ll offer some essential tips on how to write a short story outline. 

We’ll also examine why an outline is so helpful for crafting stories that engage and hook readers. 

First, let’s develop a better understanding of a good short story outline and later on discuss the outlining process.

What is a story outline?

The best short stories begin with an outline. 

An excellent short story outline is a roadmap for the author to track character arcs and critical plot points . It can be a piece of paper, a word document, or an entire PowerPoint presentation. That’s up to you, and where you write the outline depends only on your preferences.

Authors can regularly check in with their story’s development with an outline. Without it, one risks following too many trajectories, ultimately rambling and failing to move the plot along effectively.

The outline is a map or bird’s eye view of the story’s main events, plot points, and structure . 

For example, a typical story involves five main elements:

  • Beginning ( exposition )
  • Rising action (introduction of an obstacle to the main character’s goals)
  • Climax (character faces that obstacle)
  • Falling action (the events of the story that happen post-climax)
  • Resolution, or denouement.

You must write a sentence or two from each part of that general structure in a basic outline .

Do I need an outline?

Some people write stories with no plan or outline.  Others have all the details planned out.

This technique is known as writing ‘by the seat of one’s pants,’ an approach used by some writers who prefer to create as they go and already have plenty of writing experience. 

However, if you’re not yet a master writer and are looking for more support in your writing process, an outline is a wise choice.

The benefits of writing an outline

Outlining a story offers many benefits. 

Writing with flow and coherence isn’t always easy. Often writers experience difficulty with the flow, known as writer’s block, and a bad case of writer’s block can set you back.

It may take days or even weeks for it to pass naturally. Outlines are a powerful tool that helps you overcome that dreaded writer’s block. 

When you have a structure in place, you can always refer back to that structure when you lose your way.

Some of the main benefits of a story outline include:

  • Checkpoints for the story
  • Flesh out the characters to make them richer, more three-dimensional
  • Track character arcs and character development
  • Develop plot points to heighten or enrich the story’s main conflict
  • Explore the setting and changes in setting
  • Gain an overview of how different elements (plot, characters, setting, theme) interact and move the story

New writers sometimes believe that a story must be written chronologically. They over-focus on the linear progression of the narrative and may feel like their process is unstructured if it doesn’t take place chronologically.

However, more experienced writers understand that the linear progression of the narrative is what one can work on throughout several drafts.

The outline is the prep work for the first draft.

It is important to envision a basic linear progression of events within the outline – the introduction (exposition), rising action, conflict, falling action, and resolution. 

Still, feel free to spend one day or one week on the characters, another session on the setting, another on themes and how they play out, and another on plot development.

How to write a short story outline

So, how do we get started with an outline? 

There is no universal step; your first step will depend on you as a writer, the parts of your story that excite you the most, and your preferences as to which areas of your story you want to flesh out first.

Instead of offering a step-by-step chronological guide for outlining a short story, let’s explore the different elements of your outline. It’s up to you which you’d like to deal with first.

The four main elements of your outline we’ll explore are:

  • Plot points

1. Identify the premise

The premise is the overall idea of your story. It’s the ‘why’ behind your writing. 

What story do you want to tell, and how do you want to tell it? 

To begin with, write statements about your story. What happens in it? Why is it interesting? 

After you’ve got some ideas on paper, try condensing your story’s premise into a single sentence. Can you sum up the entire story in one sentence?

Consider the following one-line premises for well-known stories.

  • Wizard of Oz  – A young girl enters a magical world through a tornado and must find the wizard to help her get back home.
  • To Kill a Mockingbird  – A young girl sees her father defend a black man against false accusations, racism, and prejudice in a court of law, with dangerous consequences for the family.
  • The Hunger Games  – A teenage girl volunteers to enter the Hunger Games – a fight for survival with only one winner – to help her district.

Your premise is something you can return to time and time again when you lose track of your thoughts. Returning to the premise helps you carry the story from beginning to end. 

how to write a short story outline

2. Know the setting

The setting is the world in which your story takes place. 

Most stories have multiple settings that complement or contrast each other to vivify the reading experience. 

Know where your story takes place. 

Do your characters live in apartment buildings or houses in the countryside? Does the story take place mainly outdoors or indoors? How and when do the settings change, and why?

Writing the setting of a story is known as ‘worldbuilding.’ As a writer, it’s your job to create the world in which the characters live. 

A well-built world makes it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the story and follow the narrative engagingly and excitedly.

3. Thresh out plot points

As mentioned earlier, the five main elements of short story writing are:

In the exposition, you introduce your main character(s). 

You can flesh out the characters in later drafts and throughout the story but to begin with, introduce the characters and their goals.

 It would be best if you decided on your protagonist’s main goal for your outline. What do they want? What motivates them to achieve their goals?

Rising action

The rising action introduces a problem or obstacle that stands in the way of the main character achieving their goal. Again this is to be fleshed out later in your drafts, but in your outline, you only need to identify the problem.

How does your main character deal with the obstacles they face? What is the solution to their problem? 

The solution is rarely easy – the challenge is what makes the story intriguing. 

Knowing how your character will deal with the problem helps you craft a narrative about how they do so.

Falling action

What happens after the central conflict? How does the character’s attempt at overcoming their obstacle influence the rest of the story?

The resolution is the ending of the story. You don’t need to tie up all the loose ends, but it should be a somewhat satisfying ending. 

Once again, the outline is not the time to flesh out the details. Have a general idea about how your story will end so you can focus the narrative on getting to that point.

Write a few lines or sub-premises for each structural element. These five elements help you frame the story so that you can break up each section. 

As you write, you can return to your outline to help you stay focused. Whether you’re writing long or short fiction, involve these five essential elements.

4. Work on character development

Outline some basic details about your main characters. During character development , the finer details are to be explored as you write and details may change slightly or significantly as you get to your second and third drafts and the story starts to come together.

Main character

Your protagonist’s persona is often the one that hooks the reader’s attention. 

Who is your main character, and what kind of life do they live? What are their beliefs and background? How do they see the world?

Character arcs

Some short stories follow one character, while others feature an entire cast of characters. 

In your outline, map out those characters’ arcs . 

How do they develop throughout the story? How do the events and changes within the story affect those characters? Take one character – do they begin as a hero or villain? Does their role change throughout the story? What causes that change?

A general idea of a character and character arc helps you stay focused. 

As a writer, it’s crucial to demonstrate consistency within the world of your story. A reader immersing themselves in your story may feel considered or disappointed if your character is inconsistent. 

Understandably, events and plot points in the story may change the character’s feelings and worldview, but those changes should be relevant to the story.

Protagonist vs. Antagonist

If there is both a protagonist and an antagonist in your story, use your outline to identify the premise of their relationship. 

Why are they enemies? How do one’s goals interfere with those of the other?

Understanding and outlining the relationship dynamic between your pro- and antagonist helps you follow that relationship arc throughout the writing process. 

A ready-made outline helps you stay on track and keeps the protagonist/antagonist relationship fresh and exciting.

How long is a short story?

Short stories vary in length but generally fall somewhere between 1,000 and 10,000 words. 

A story with fewer than 1,000 words is flash fiction , while stories over 10,000 are typically known as novellas or novelettes.

10,000 words can seem like a lot, but when you’ve got a good short story, 10,000 words can feel like not enough.

Short story writers face challenges in keeping the entire story short while offering the reader an immersive experience.

Seasoned short story writers understand that condensing a story into fewer than 10,000 words means leaving out some of the finer details of a character or the setting. 

Your job as a writer is to identify the most important details and plot points and leave the rest to the reader’s imagination.

Tips for writing a great short story

Writing an outline is just one tip for writing a great short story. There are many other tips to consider. 

For example, before you even begin your outline, how do you know what to write about in the first place? 

All great stories, from short stories to novels, begin with an inspiring idea. So, how do we get inspired?

Writing short stories

Read as much as possible

William Faulkner suggests that we:

“Read, read, read. Read everything — trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”

Reading classic short stories, novels, newspaper articles, magazines, or blogs is a great way to find inspiration for your next short story. 

Perhaps you imagine a scenario in which the characters of an existing story behave differently or live under different circumstances. 

Maybe you like an author’s tone of voice or use of humor and feel inspired to write in a similar style.

Be inspired by what you’ve read to stir your passion for writing a good story and come with fresh short story ideas.

Get feedback

If you’ve got an outline, a first draft, or even just an idea in your head, share it with others and get some constructive feedback. 

Speak to writers and non-writers alike and ask them how they feel about your story? Do they find it exciting? 

Does it make sense to them? Do they find it relevant? Do they have any helpful ideas?

Constructive feedback is vital to any creative person. It helps us see our work from different perspectives and lets us know if we’re on the right track.

Keep writing

Every writer faces a creative block at some point. 

Experiencing this block does not mean you’re a terrible writer; it just means you need more creative inspiration. 

One of the most effective ways to overcome writer’s block is simply writing from your consciousness stream.

If you’re writing an outline and stuck somewhere, such as how your main character changes from an emotional state to another, start writing whatever comes to mind. 

Ninety percent of what comes out may be irrelevant, but that relevant ten percent can get you over the line.

Your outline is far from your final draft. 

Throughout the writing process, you’re entirely free to chop and change bits of the story as you see fit. 

Perhaps a character’s arc takes a different turn, or a feature of the setting is changed. Change is something you should embrace as a creative. 

Alice Munro, the  2013 Nobel Prize for Literature  winner, explains that  ‘any story that’s going to be any good is usually going to change.’

As a writer, you may have several short story ideas floating around your mind at once. That’s great – it’s a sign that your creative juices are flowing. 

Still, it’s essential to cultivate a focus on a single story.

Outlining your story is important because it helps you stay focused on that short story idea, rather than allowing thoughts, plot points, and character ideas from other potential stories to get in the way.

Without an outline, you may call on whatever inspiration you find at the moment to help you overcome writer’s block and get your story finished. 

It’s essential to seek inspiration, but you don’t want to dilute your story with content and ideas from another. 

Use the outline to help you stay on track and give the one story idea the focus and attention it deserves.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign up to our newsletter!

Related articles

Motivational Quotes About Writing

120 Motivational Quotes About Writing To Inspire A New Writer Like You

How To Register A Kindle On Amazon

How To Register A Kindle On Amazon To Enjoy Your Ebooks In 4 Easy Ways

How To Market A Self-Published Book

How To Market A Self-Published Book And Be Profitable In 9 Easy Ways

Outline a Short Story in Seven Steps

A typewriter with the words Once Upon a Time sits on a table next to a small notebook, flowers, and a cup of coffee.

Image by Shutterstock

In 2015, I created a simple plot formula for short stories. Instead of trying to make it broad enough to work for any story, I focused on making it easy to use. Rather than creating a grand formula targeted at novelists, I designed it for short works. However, the formula’s most unique and essential feature was something I took for granted. While other formulas like the Hero’s Journey treat story events like independent entities, my formula directed writers to look at the big picture – their throughline – and create a cohesive plot around that.

While the formula didn’t have much impact on future articles, it made a big difference to many writers that used it. People who’d never been able to plot before reported that it was a breakthrough for them.

Fast-forward seven years, and it’s high time I gave the formula a second edition. I’ve added more tips, a few more options, and further reading. While the new version may seem a little more complicated than the last one, that’s because I’m offering more guidance to make sure your story is the best it can be. Even if you don’t get it perfect, I think you’ll get better results this way. But don’t worry, you can still read the original via PDF .

1. Choose an Urgent Problem

Invent a problem that needs to be addressed soon to prevent something bad from happening. How bad this consequence must be depends on the type of story you want to tell. A problem that could result in people dying will create an exciting story, whereas a problem that could hurt someone’s feelings will create a more personal tale. What’s important is that your readers understand this outcome is undesirable and that to prevent it, someone will need to get right on that.

Since you’re writing a short story, the problem should also be small in scope. That means it could be solved by a single person in a couple hours to a couple weeks. Narrow down who or what is affected until it’s specific enough to be tackled in a handful of scenes.

  • After getting dumped, Jamal will have a sad and lonely birthday tomorrow.
  • The ship’s warp drive is close to failing, and the crew needs it to get home.
  • A monster has come out from under the bed to eat someone.

Learn more about making compelling problems

  • Understanding Conflict & Tension
  • Five Common Reasons Tension Is Missing

2. Create a Character to Solve It

Next, you need a star of the show. Create a main character to solve the problem from the previous step. You want a character who has the biggest reason to care about the problem and who is well placed to solve it. Generally that means the character needs to be close to the problem.

  • If someone will be lonely on their birthday, it’s them.
  • If a home might be destroyed, it’s their home.
  • If someone might be eaten by a monster, it’s also them.
  • If a rebel base will be discovered, they’re a rebel.

Involving a loved one usually works too. Maybe it’s their father who could be eaten by a monster or a best friend who will be lonely on their birthday. If your story is about a superhero who needs to rescue civilians, consider including someone they care about among the civilians. This will give the story more emotional weight.

Then make sure your character has what they need to be a problem solver. While it’s not impossible to have a small child prevent the passage of a bad law in parliament, it will certainly take more creativity. On the other hand, a rebel spy who can feed false information to the oppressive government is well placed to keep other rebels from being discovered. You might give your character professional skills or official responsibility for averting disaster.

If you have trouble creating a person with a plausible chance of solving the problem in a few hours to a few weeks, your problem might be too big in scope.

  • Silvia doesn’t want her best friend, Jamal, to be lonely on his birthday tomorrow.
  • Riley, the ship’s mechanic, needs to keep the warp drive from failing.
  • Mia needs to keep the monster from under her bed from eating her dad.

Learn more about creating a main character

  • Twelve Traits for a Lovable Hero
  • Do Characters Need to Be Likable?
  • The Six Traits of Strong Characters

3. Give Your Character a Plan

Once your readers know who your main character is and understand the problem they face, it’s time to move the story forward. To do that, your character should come up with a plan to solve the problem. Let your readers know what it is.

The plan can be simple, but don’t let readers think it will be easy to pull off. That could mean:

  • Your character must race to complete the plan before the problem gets out of hand.
  • The plan comes with a risk of backfiring or poses some other danger.
  • Your character immediately runs into an obstacle described in step 4, below.

The plan doesn’t actually have to work in the end. What matters is that the main character has a good reason for believing it will work, and that pursuing it ultimately takes them in the right direction.

  • Silvia plans to spend the day with Jamal so he won’t be lonely, but they haven’t spoken since they got in a fight a couple weeks ago.
  • Riley hopes to use a pack of nanites to reverse the damage to the warp drive. However, the nanites aren’t designed to operate while the drive is running, and at the rate the drive is being damaged, Riley doesn’t have time to shut it down safely first.
  • Mia decides to lure the monster into a trap she’s created from a bin, but to do that, she’ll have to be the bait.

Learn more about character agency and motivation

  • Character Agency: It’s What That Sexy Lamp Is Missing
  • The Why & How of Character Motivation

4. Narrate a Few Obstacles

In enacting their plan, your main character must get past a few obstacles. How many obstacles you put in depends on the length you want your story to be, but one to three is a good range. After they struggle with an obstacle, your main character needs to be closer to solving the problem, yet the problem must feel harder to solve than before.

How do you do that? Here are several options. You can use one of them several times or mix and match them.

They finish a difficult step, then get bad news

Step one of their plan is a real struggle, but they manage it. However, as soon as they do, something bad happens that makes the next step even harder.

  • Silvia calls Jamal to ask to come over for his birthday, but Jamal is still angry with her. After a short argument, Silvia finally gives Jamal a real apology. Jamal accepts her apology but says he’s already accepted a double shift at work. He’s decided that he’s not having a birthday this year.
  • Silvia shows up at Jamal’s workplace with birthday supplies. The public isn’t allowed in the back of the building where Jamal works, but Silvia talks her way in by offering to share the birthday cake with Jamal’s coworkers. Just as she brings in the birthday supplies and coworkers gather for cake, the boss shows up to find out what the commotion is.

Their plan doesn’t work, but they receive a clue

The plan is executed correctly – but it doesn’t actually work. However, this failure gives the main character critical information about the nature of the problem they can use to create a new plan. Think ahead and come up with the real solution to the problem, and then add a clue for each failure that will get your character closer to figuring it out.

The failed attempts must come at a cost that makes solving the problem more difficult. The main character might have wasted time or precious resources on the attempt, or perhaps the situation has become more dire, shortening the deadline.

  • Riley manages to keep the nanites from breaking as they put them in the drive. Not only do the nanites fail to fix the drive, but the damage is accelerating.
  • Riley configures the drive settings to be less hostile to the nanites, hoping it will allow the nanites to repair it. But the drive immediately gets worse.

Something goes wrong, forcing them to adapt

While executing the plan, something goes wrong, putting everything in jeopardy. The main character manages to adapt and avoid complete failure, but the change still means their task is harder than before.

  • Just when Mia is trying to get the monster’s attention, her father gets up to go to the bathroom, oblivious to the monster’s presence. Mia manages to keep the monster focused on her by waving a flashlight around, but now she has to keep everything quiet so her awake father doesn’t come to investigate and get eaten.
  • As the monster comes after Mia, it doesn’t crawl along the floor like she thought it would. Instead it crawls along the ceiling, avoiding the bin trap she’s laid out for it. Mia manages to move the trap to where it can catch the monster coming down from the ceiling, but now she has to hold the trap in position rather than run to safety.

When you’re done outlining, check each obstacle: Can you simply cut it in its entirety while leaving the rest of your story intact? If so, that means you’re not moving your main character closer to solving the problem. As a result of their struggle, they should gain critical information, find new friends or resources, or complete an essential step in their plan.

For instance, if I cut out Silvia and Jamal’s first conversation, Silvia would never learn that Jamal will be working on his birthday. I would have to fill in at least one sentence explaining that she knows he’s working. Then, I would have to revise a later scene to reflect that he’s still mad at her. Since I would have to make additional changes if I removed that obstacle, I know Silvia is getting closer to solving the problem.

If one of your obstacles doesn’t meet this requirement and you don’t mind a shorter story, you can simply cut that obstacle. On the other hand, if you want your story to be shorter but all of your obstacles are essential, simply make those events easy and brief. Then move right to the next obstacle. Mia’s dad never goes to the bathroom, so she gets the monster’s attention quickly – but then it crawls along the ceiling.

Learn more about filling in your story

  • Filling in Your Story’s Middle
  • How to Make Large Conflicts Exciting
  • Your Plot Is a Fractal

5. Bring Events to a Head

It’s time for your climax. Bring your main character to the cusp of solving the problem, but then make the situation as dire as it can get while still leaving the possibility that your main character can turn it around.

  • The boss demands to know why no one is working, and everyone points to the surprised and mortified Jamal. Silvia gets an angry look from Jamal and realizes that she may have both ruined Jamal’s birthday and lost his friendship.
  • The warp drive starts to falter, and the ship loses velocity.
  • The monster approaches the spot where Mia holds the trap, but it manages to swerve around the trap and goes for Mia instead. Mia sees its shadowy jaws open to envelop her.

Your main character will turn this around in step 6, so if you have trouble there, try backing up and making this moment a little less dire. However, it should still be more dire than at any previous point in the story. Failure must be imminent.

6. Create a Breakthrough Moment

Now it’s time for the climax of the climax: the story’s turning point. Your main character will have a breakthrough that allows them to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. However, how they achieve their victory is incredibly important. They can’t just get lucky; they have to earn their victory by proving themself.

Below are some ways that characters can prove themselves:

  • Cleverly putting together clues and having a realization
  • Showing bravery or great willpower in the face of fear or temptation
  • Making a difficult sacrifice
  • Demonstrating unusual kindness or goodwill

Whatever they do, it has to be exceptional enough to make an impression. Being nice to a friend is easy, whereas being nice to an enemy is hard. If they prove themself by refusing a temptation, that temptation must feel like something they desperately want.

Then this breakthrough needs to be the reason your main character is victorious. That may seem tough at first, but characters can prove themselves in many different ways. Whatever ending you have in mind, there’s something that fits.

  • Trusting that the boss can be understanding, Silvia spills her guts in front of everyone, telling them how much Jamal has done for her in the past, admitting that she made a mistake in springing the birthday on him at work, and humbly telling the boss she’s been a terrible friend, and Jamal shouldn’t be punished for it.
  • Riley thinks over what happened and realizes the nanites are causing the drive failure. Some of them got loose from their container, and when the drive is running they don’t do what they’re supposed to.
  • Mia dives into the trap herself, letting the monster come for her as long as it follows her in.

Learn more about turning points

  • Six Types of Turning Points for Climaxes
  • Turning Points: The Secret to Satisfying Conflicts
  • Understanding Character Karma

7. Tie Up Loose Ends

Now it’s time to show how the turning point leads directly to success; it must enable the main character to solve the problem and avert any oncoming catastrophes. However, your ending doesn’t have to be perfectly happy. You might have a bittersweet ending if irreparable damage has already occurred or your main character makes a sacrifice during the turning point.

After you show how your character’s breakthrough leads to victory, tie up the story and give your readers closure. In particular, if you introduced new problems to make your character’s plan more difficult, make sure those are addressed so readers don’t feel concerned about them anymore. Consider what note you’d like the story to end on, and put that down.

  • The boss is touched by Silvia’s heartfelt confession. Wishing Jamal a happy birthday, the boss lets everyone have a short break to eat cake. Jamal gives Silvia a hug and tells her she’s not a bad friend, just a little misguided sometimes. Silvia watches Jamal laugh and joke about the incident with his coworkers over cake.
  • Riley changes the drive configuration to be as hostile to the nanites as possible. It prevents the drive from taking more damage, giving Riley enough time to sputter the ship to a halt and shut down the drive. Then they use the now-behaving nanites to repair the drive. Afterward, Riley makes sure the nanites are all flushed out and puts them in a more secure container to prevent it from happening again.
  • The monster jumps in the trap after Mia, and the trap snaps shut behind them. They’re both squeezed in so tight that the monster can’t move its head around or get its jaws open to eat her. When the sun comes up a few hours later, the shadowy monster dissolves in the light. Mia wakes up to her confused dad, who asks why she was playing make believe in a trash bin while she was supposed to be sleeping.

Learn more about endings

  • Striking an End Note That Resonates
  • Establishing and Satisfying Plot Threads

Storytelling isn’t easy, so a good outline may not be easy to make either. Do your best, and don’t be afraid to tell me how well the revised formula is working for you.

P.S. Our bills are paid by our wonderful patrons. Could you chip in?

More in Short Stories

Q&a: how do i create novelty in short stories, q&a: how is a short story series different than a novel.

How Useful Are Kurt Vonnegut’s Eight Rules of Writing?

How Useful Are Kurt Vonnegut’s Eight Rules of Writing?

Episode 112: pros and cons of short stories.

Six Common Problems in Short Stories

Six Common Problems in Short Stories

Kathy Ferguson Professor of Political Theory in Star Trek.

Your patronage keeps this site running. Become a patron.

Recent Articles in Storytelling

Five Ways for Heroes to Defeat a Distant Villain 

Five Ways for Heroes to Defeat a Distant Villain 

Creating a Scene Plan to Make Your Draft a Success

Creating a Scene Plan to Make Your Draft a Success

How to Get Your Plot Arcs Working Together

How to Get Your Plot Arcs Working Together

Five New Completely Real Genres From Mythcreants

Five New Completely Real Genres From Mythcreants

Seven Ways to Deal With Unwanted Hooks

Seven Ways to Deal With Unwanted Hooks

Recent comments.

sample of short story outline

Love Mythcreants?

Be our patron.

Join our community for special perks.

Comments on Outline a Short Story in Seven Steps

If you add one more point, you actually get something akin to the eight sequences.

For short stories, I use the four quarters plus midpoint twist, but for something longer, the eight sequences are better.

This is super helpful, love the “previous article remastered” idea. Thanks!

This is ripe for a collected edition with Your Plot is a Fractal.

I also like when the character’s breakthrough moment is tailored to something they struggle with (or you set up something they struggle with to enhance the impact of the breakthrough moment later). For example, if Silvia and Jamal’s fight was about her failure to take responsibility, then her climactic public acceptance of responsibility has more impact.

Thank you Chris! This one’s going straight to the Favorites bar.

this is making me want to make more short books

I’ve been struggling with forming my story ideas into coherent plots and have abandoned many ideas that seemed promising at first. After reading this, I’ve resurrected one of those and it’s well on it’s way to becoming a story. Thanks!

I’ve been struggling for a while to make short stories, especially since the ones I read in school don’t feel like they match this structure. For example, a lot of Ray Bradbury’s work like there will come soft rains or the sound of thunder. I don’t feel like they match this structure, but that also just could be me not seeing it in the work. Also I feel like some short stories in general can tackle big problems in a short work. And they don’t resolve it, and I think that’s why it’s hard for me to imagine some short stories fitting into this structure.

This article only presents a formula you can use to make short stories, it doesn’t claim that all short stories must follow this formula. You don’t have to use it if you don’t like it.

I’m not saying I don’t like it. I’m just asking a question about the formula and how to make it work for short stories like Ray Bradbury’s/ other works. I didn’t know this article only worked for certain stories. I thought it was for general outlining.

Hi Cameron,

I haven’t read There Will Come Soft Rains or The Sound of Thunder, but I took a quick look at their plot summaries. First, both stories have downward arcs with an unhappy ending. I didn’t choose to cover that here because its less common, but I do have an article on that you can read: https://mythcreants.com/blog/how-to-create-an-unhappy-ending/

Both of those stories do have a problem, but it might be hard to see if you don’t know what to look for. A problem is a situation that creates a sense of uncertainty and concern. In The Sound of Thunder the problem is the high likelihood something will go wrong during the hunting expedition. The protagonist attempts to solve this first by fleeing, and when that goes wrong, getting back on the path, but he fails.

In There Will Come Soft Rains it’s that the house is alone and has no one to care for. Instead of this problem being solved, the house only falls apart further. The house doesn’t really have any agency in the outcome of the story, which is not what I would typically recommend because it gives the outcome a pointless feel. There are edge cases where it makes sense, but not usually.

Now, the plot structure of these stories may not be the reason you like them so much, but they do have structure in there.

Thank you for explaining it! I think Ray Bradbury is kinda a unique case considering his entire career is about pointing out the flaws in technology and the doom and gloom of humanities future (which explains some of his weird plot structures). But your explanation of the sound of thunder makes sense and like you said the structure was just a bit harder to see. Also thank you for linking me the article about writing unhappy endings. I’ll be sure to read it.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Email * (will not be made public)

sample of short story outline

How To Outline A Short Story – For Beginners

In this post, we share a template that will show you how to outline a short story , especially if you are a beginner.

If you’re looking for an outlining tool to help you write a short story, you will love this template. If you want to find out more about short stories read:  The Secret To Writing A Great Short Story

  • To celebrate  National Short Story Day  in the UK, we thought we would post this outlining tool for beginner writers. This day is chosen because 21 December is the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • Short Story Day Africa is celebrated on 21 June, the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere.

(If you want to learn how to write a short story, sign up for our online course .)

Writing Short Stories

Writing short stories is a great way to learn the craft of writing and to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are. You need fewer words , and there is less pressure than writing a long novel.

There are many short story competitions to enter. These are great for setting deadlines and for giving you a potential platform for your work. These short-terms goals can be good motivators for us.

There are fewer rules in writing short stories and you can write about one of your character’s backstories , or follow the fate of a supporting character after they’ve left your novel.

Top Tip: If you want to improve your story, buy this workbook:  How To Show And Not Tell In Short Stories . 

If you want to learn how to outline a short story, use this template.

How To Outline A Short Story

How To Outline A Short Story

Source for poster

If you love short stories, you will enjoy these posts:

  • The Top 10 Reasons To Write Short Stories
  • The Top 20 Literary Quotes About Short Stories
  • The Secret To Writing A Great Short Story
  • 3 Short Story Writers Who Inspire Me
  • 3 Ways To Get Your Short Story Started

sample of short story outline

  • Short Cuts , Short Stories , Writing Tips from Amanda Patterson

7 thoughts on “How To Outline A Short Story – For Beginners”

' src=

I am interested in writing a short story.

' src=

i have always dremt of writing

' src=

I am. a beginner have two page storiy need fix up want to learn how write. Short stories you know anyone fix up my stories how much it cost? Thank you Trudy

' src=

Excellent information on protagonists will work on mine tonight.

' src=

I dream to write fables from my experience.

' src=

please teach me how to make a short pharagraph outlin

Jenica, this may help you: https://writerswrite.co.za//how-to-write-a-one-page-synopsis-1

Comments are closed.

© Writers Write 2022

How to Write a Story Outline (FREE Template) - StudioBinder - Header

  • Scriptwriting

How to Write a Story Outline that Works [FREE Script Outline Template]

f you want to write a script, and finish it, story outlines are helpful. Why? Because once you have waded even knee-deep into the writing, it’s easy to lose sight of things. Even worse? Predators named fear and self-doubt will be stalking you.

Yet, there is a tool that can spare you this fate. The story outline – it is going to be your machete and your map.

Watch: Anatomy of a Screenplay — Ultimate Guide

Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this.

Freebie: Story Script Outline Template

How to Write a Story Outline - Free Script Template - Exit intent Teaser v2

Download your FREE story script outline template. Just enter your email address and we'll instantly send it to you!

Story Outline that Works

1. why this story outline template.

That's a very good question. 

There have been countless volumes written on how to write a story. From Aristotle to Robert McKee.

So why is THIS the one that'll help YOU?

A couple reasons.

First reason: it's simple. Simple to understand, remember, and to use when creating a story.

That alone puts this method of writing a story outline in a league all its own. Joseph Campbell wrote the definitive 'boiling down' of all storytelling when he created the monomyth.

It was, among other things, an attempt to simplify writing a story outline.

This is even simpler. Of course, this also incorporates much of his philosophy and approach to creating a story.

This story outline boils down all that came before it into the simplest of bite-size chunks. One word chunks. Eight of them, to be exact. 

Those chunks come to us curtesy of Dan Harmon's story circle.

Dan Harmon's Story Circle

Which brings us to point number two:

IT ACTUALLY WORKS

I have proof!

Some of this script outline template I learned from reading McKee, Syd Field, and something called ' the sequence approach' .

And to a lesser extent... Save the Cat.

But a lot of those methods are complicated. While each is valuable in their own right, they aren’t conducive to a script step outline; something that can be a tool by your side

Before he wrote  Community  and  Rick and Morty , Harmon hosted a monthly festival of 5-minute shorts I participated in called Channel 101 . There we all learned how to create 5-minute stories, the story circle way.

That little festival launched many a career. From  The Lonely Island  to  Justin Roiland , to  Adult Swim's  new show  Hot Streets .

Behind so much of that is this script outline.

So you can trust me.

It's simple. It works.

writing a story outline

2. find out how to write a story.

To  truly  do this, you need this script outline.

Even if you already know how to write a story , this plot outline template and its guidelines will help you take your knowledge and mastery of plot outline to even deeper levels.

Already feel you know that?

Well this script outline template will still make your writing process 10 times easier to complete.

But even if we ignore that… You still need to master and understand this plot outline template.

you need this to make sure your writing connects.

What do I mean by that?

Well for starters, this story outline template applies to more than screenplays. As mentioned, it's pretty effective when writing for television as well.  Think of it almost as a story outline worksheet for you to use.

Yet the application goes beyond even that.

CREATE STORY CONFIDENCE

The ideas and structure that teach us how to write a story are actually universal . These have been the steps to storytelling since early cultures inked animals on cave walls while retelling the hunt.

If you don't believe that, take  Joseph Campbell's word for it .

The universality of this story outline structure will let readers know they are safe in your hands. Even without knowing it, the subtle cues of the script outline will tell them that this story will satisfy.

Trust me, executives and agents know immediately if a script or even script outline is following along the expected script outline beats. They won't move forward on any project that doesn’t.

Even if your ideas are amazing, they may not bring you on the strength of that alone. They’re not in the business of teaching people how to write a story outline.

They might not even get far enough to know if your ideas are good though.

The harsh reality is that they will stop reading as soon as they feel the steps of a script outline aren't there.

Is it fair? No. Probably not. But that's the way it is.

So before we break down each step of the plot/story outline, here is a look at the overview in "story circle" form. 

Related Posts

  • Dan Harmon's Story Circle →
  • Best Screenwriting Books →
  • Become a Working Screenwriter →

story outline

3. act one: set up.

Every story has a protagonist. The first step, or sequence, is about establishing the protagonist and their world.

When you wrote your log line , you had to come up with who your protagonist was. It's also smart to have a strong log line before you start filling out a plot outline template.

Typically your protagonist should want something , and that desire should run in contrast a with who or where they are .

This creates an 'irony'. Good stories need irony.

Whoever your character is, and whatever type of world he or she inhabits, is your sequence one.

The simple one-word name for the sequence: YOU. Who is the “you”?

Is it a farm boy on a desert planet? Is it a girl who lives in Kansas with a little dog? A New York cop visiting his estranged wife in LA for Christmas? A billionaire by day, crime-fighting vigilante by night?

You get the idea.

4. The creation of the story

"A story is about someone who wants something very badly and is having a hard time getting it." 

Ever hear that one? Well even if you haven't, it's a common expression when starting to figure out how to write a story outline.

Campbell referred to this area as the 'Herald'. Sometimes in a story, a herald comes with the first signs of the adventure the hero must undertake.

R2D2 was the herald that brought Luke his adventure. Luke needed to get off the planet and save the princess/destroy the death star.

It was a combination of what he wanted, even before he met R2D2, and what R2D2 brought with him (the message).

You will sometimes see this part of the script outline labeled "the point of attack".

It's where something  to the world of the character, and it creates an active and urgent need.

This is where the character develops their need. Without a need, there is no story. It's just status quo forever.

Not super exciting...

This is why when you think of a character like Batman, for example, you might think a good plot outline would center on Batman fighting crime.

However, what makes The Dark Knight so excellent is that the status quo is Batman fighting crime. As soon as the "need" section of sequence two kicks in, we find that Bruce Wayne kinda/sorta wants to retire. 

THE ACT ONE "NEED"

You can read a lot about how to address the "need".

“Make it primal" is something you'll hear. That is to say, the more relatable and basic your protagonists need is, the more dynamic the rest of your plot outline will be.

The general idea is that what your character wants, what they think they need to address something in their status quo, will send them on a journey.

This is where the script , and script outline start to take shape. 

In a lot of cases, a protagonist will have two needs. One is an external goal, and one is an internal desire.

John McClane has the external need of saving the Nakatomi Plaza from terrorists. But he has the internal need of repairing his marriage and fixing his family unit.

To manifest his goal of retirement, Bruce Wayne has the external need to clean up Gotham once and for all. The internal need is to be with Rachel.

At the end of sequence two in our story outline template, we must define the main tension. The need is in clear focus, and where the character has to go to achieve it becomes apparent.

Batman must extradite a criminal, for Harvey Dent to prosecute, to help finish off the crime syndicate of Gotham.

The need is clear, it brings us to act two and step…

  • Writing & Development Masterclass →
  • How to Write on Spec →
  • Secrets to Great Exposition →

how to write a story outline

5. act two: confrontation.

An urgent need demands an action. Your character has to "go" somewhere.

A story phrase often used is "the crossing of a threshold". Another term you'll come across is a “threshold guardian.”

Imagine a character has to cross a bridge, and a troll guards it. That is the threshold and its guardian.

Once your protagonist has their need firmly established, they have to go resolve it. That means leaving the world they know for a different world entirely.

This world is the upside down part of the circle. It's the dream state, the inverse of the safe world. The technicolor to the black and white that leads to "we're not in Kansas anymore".

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS IN THE SECOND ACT.

How to Write a Story Outline - Free Script Template - Star Wars Cantina

Luke has crossed the threshold into adventure

For Luke Skywalker, this is the part of the movie where he meets Han and Chewbacca. He gets into a bar fight. He starts learning how to use his lightsaber. He "goes" into space on his quest.

For Batman, this section of the journey is more of a "why things will become difficult." (another common phrase used to describe sequence 3). 

He "goes" to Hong Kong to extradite the criminal, Lao. He thinks it will be easy to hand the task of protecting Gotham over to DA Harvey Dent...

But the Joker has other ideas. He crashes the Dent fundraiser, starts killing, and threatens to kill until Batman is unmasked.

Different stories handle the section of the script outline differently, but the idea is that these are the first steps into the journey.

Batman was always a crime fighter, but now he's trying to fight a different kind of criminal, with new and higher personal stakes.

Tip: Try seeing your story outline template as a worksheet where you can fill in ideas about what section might be. You may find some new ideas come to you in that process.

  • Internal vs External Conflict →
  • Write Loglines to Impress Producers →
  • Logline Examples for TV →

a story outline that works

6. the road of trials.

For there to be a story, reaching the objective has to be hard. 

Upon crossing the threshold in sequence three and into act two, our protagonist will face a lot of crazy new challenges. It might take a little getting used to this new world.

By sequence four, it's time to focus again on what we came here for.

More exactly, to search for it. This section is the main characters first real attempt to accomplish their goal. In the Hero’s Journey this could be “the road of trials”.

Which means this is when you’ll pack your story outline template with tons of set pieces.

I think this section is best understood with examples.

In Star Wars it becomes the search for Princess Leia and a way off the Death Star.

Batman is searching for a way to stop the Joker. This is where Alfred will tell him "Some men just want to watch the world burn". 

How to Write a Story Outline - Free Script Template - The Joker Watching the World Burn

FIRST ASSAULT ON THE MAIN TENSION

Bruce decides that he must end Batman. He plans to come forward to end the Joker's killing spree. Ready to hand the city over to Harvey Dent's form of law enforcement. 

He comes to this conclusion with another memorable line of dialogue "I know what I have to become to defeat him".

(Bruce won't become that. For now...)

Side note: one reason certain moments of dialogue like these became so memorable is that they put a button on a point of the story outline template.

"I want to learn the ways of the force and become a Jedi like my father."

"We're not in Kansas anymore."

"We'll always have Paris."

These lines and countless others are defining plot moments. They are memorable because they accompanied or emphasized a major turn in the story.

People often make the mistake of thinking it was the phrasing, or the line of dialogue itself that made them feel something.

It wasn’t. It was the execution of the story outline.

The search section leads us to...

7. The midpoint

At the midpoint of the story outline template is at 6’o’clock on the story circle. Our character finds something here. It's not necessarily what they set out to find.

It may be a humbling lesson they learn as they failed in their first attempt to win their ultimate goal.

Sometimes referred to as "the belly of the whale". The adventure of act two has taken a toll. Now that we're halfway done, our character has been swallowed whole. Think about Luke and friends in the Death Star trash compactor.

He's got the Princess, but they're all about to get squished and die!

This is better seen as a turning point in the story outline.

One story has ended here, and a new one is about to begin. Luke's quest to find the princess is complete. A new quest, a secondary and larger quest, has begun.

This all takes hold in the next sequence:

8. The meeting with the Goddess

This sequence has an important job. It has to provide a jolt to carry us through the extra long second act.

We're halfway in, we've met and dealt with some of the main tension, embarking on the second half of the journey.

We need some help.

How to Write a Story Outline - Free Script Template - Princess Leia Star Wars

Aren’t you a little short for a story outline?

Writers often turn to a new character here for help. Campbell calls it the meeting with the goddess, and often in ancient myth a hero would actually meet a goddess here. 

Certainly when Han and Luke find Princess Leia, it is traditional “meeting with the goddess” timing, and she takes over the story for a bit.

That does not need to be the case. Let's take a different, more modern example of great storytelling. William Goldman's screenplay for Stephen King's  Misery .

At the midpoint, all hope seems lost for protagonist Paul Sheldon (James Caan). He has made an attempt to escape and failed. Now what?

Now we follow a character on the outside. Buster (Richard Farnsworth) who is looking into some of the unconnected dots of Paul Sheldon's disappearance.

Buster's quest proves fruitless. But it helps in a very important way. It gives the second act a much-needed booster.

In The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent subverts expectations and claims he is Batman. This sets up a trap for the Joker.

The rest of the sequence plays out mostly in action, as the Joker attempts to kill Harvey, and Batman ultimately catches him.

In an interrogation scene, the Joker pushes Batman near to his breaking point on his personal code and rules.

The sequence ends with the Joker revealing to Batman that both Rachel and Harvey are trapped, and he can save only one... 

9. Final Assault

Our hero found something in the midpoint, at the start of sequence 5. Now our hero takes that something, whatever it is.

A golden fleece, a sword. In classical mythology, it's something of this nature.

That's why Dan Harmon's story circle refers to this step as "take."

Do they actually have to take something they found? 

No. But it's good to know the basic concept behind the step so you can elaborate in your own way.

The “take” step is about going up against the main tension once and for all. For all the marbles, so to speak.

Next time you go see a tentpole action-adventure movie, take note of how there is often a major battle around the end of act two that is NOT the final battle.

This is often the 6th sequence. The crossing of the return threshold into act 3.

And it leads to what we call a 'false resolution'. It's false because the movie isn't over yet.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves.

TAKE OR "THE MAGIC FLIGHT"

In Star Wars you could say this is where Luke and Han 'take' the princess off the death star.

The end of the sequence (and act) we're building to is the self-sacrifice and loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

So going beyond the obvious and physical, what did Luke Skywalker really "take" from the death star experience?

What was the moment that started to define him in a new way?

Luke stares down death in this sequence. His "take away" is that he can survive. He's come out of the Death Star stronger, and ready to take on bigger challenges.

Batman also suffers a major loss. He chooses to save Rachel, but the Joker tricked him and he gets to what's left of Harvey. Rachel dies. 

The Joker starts creating chaos on Gotham with his threat that if a particular man isn't killed in one hour he'll blow up a random hospital.

The threat of the Joker's crime has become that he will turn all of Gotham into a criminal. Bruce Wayne decides to save Reese, but as Bruce, not Batman. The "take away" for Bruce? That he has to be Batman.

In either instance, these lessons propel the protagonist into their third act and step 7…

10. Act three: resolution

Once again, you don't need to take the name of the step too literally.

The character doesn't need to return anywhere physically, so long as they are returning to something. 

It could be a return to face down the primary antagonist. A return to their old job.

If act two was a journey into the 'upside down' state, then act three is the resurfacing in the normal world. Our character, having been through the adventure, has learned.

The "took" what they "found" on their journey. And now they are back.

In classical mythology, a hero would often leave their home to find something, and bring it back. Whatever they brought back would be a "boon" to their people.

There is even a step in Campbell's  Hero’s Journey  called "the ultimate boon".

Okay but let's talk about writing scripts again. What does this return step look like in the movies we've been discussing?

For Batman, it's a return to fighting crime but now with a new approach. He uses the 'tool' of his super surveillance without batting an eye. 

How to Write a Story Outline - Free Script Template - The Dark Knight Lucious Fox

Batman spying on everyone...

Atonement with the father.

The word atonement is literally at-one-ment. 

Atoning with the father, in mythological terms, is meeting your maker. 

Coming to terms with your mortality. 

Batman does catch the joker and seems to defeat him. 

And Joker gives one of those classic "we are not so different, you and I" speeches that villains often give heroes. 

The people of Gotham opt not to kill one another on their ferries. All seems concluded...

Hey so remember that idea of the "false resolution". Well, this is it.

We might think for a moment, that whatever showdown took place was final. The state of things at the end of act two drove our character to this final act that would set things straight.

Luke and Han defeated the tie fighters during their escape from the Death Star. Moments later we learn that Darth Vader "let them escape" and planted a tracking device on their ship. 

How to Write a Story Outline - Free Script Template - Darth Vader with General Hux

arkin and Vader let the heroes escape.

The story isn't over. Leia even says "it's not over yet."

The Joker has poisoned Harvey's mind and turned him into a killer. Just when Batman has defeated him he reveals this to Batman in a classic "we are not so different, you and I" type monologue .

This return to safety, or normalcy, but under the guise of a false resolution leads us to…

writing an outline

11. the twist.

The twist isn't always a record scratch "whoa he IS Tyler Durden" kind of twist. 

The twist reveals that the resolution was indeed false.

Batman did not defeat evil. He did not save Gotham. There is still one task left.

Luke must face down the Death Star against incredible odds. Obi-Wan is dead, Han Solo has decided to take his money and run.

The twist? Obi-wan is still speaking to Luke through the force.

For Batman and Gotham? That evil still lurks. The joker has turned Harvey mad, and he's been on a killing spree.

In every story there is still something very important and very difficult left to do. Something that will require

screenplay outline

12. the master of two worlds.

At step one all we had was a "you", in what we described as a status quo.

For our story to be complete, a change must occur. An important one.

For Luke, this change is putting away his 'targeting computer' and trusting the force. The technology that has come to represent evil (Vader, the Death Star) is rejected.

Luke relies on faith.

And his faith is rewarded. Not only does he make the shot, but Han bursts out of nowhere to help him in a desperate moment.

Luke was never alone. He had the force, and he had his friend.

How to Write a Story Outline - Free Script Template - Star Wars Medal Ceremony

Not all hero’s quests end this well.

How about a not so happy ending?

Batman rushes to see what Harvey is up to only to find the disfigured "two-face" now threatening to kill a defenseless boy. 

Harvey Dent, the man who Bruce hoped would render his Batman identity obsolete, is now a criminal. The very worst kind, at that.

The 'war for Gotham’s soul' seems lost. Gotham's "white knight" of Harvey Dent is corrupt at the hands of the Joker.

Even worse? To save the boy, Batman breaks his one sacred rule. He charges at Harvey knocking him down and killing him.

Can he save Gotham from what Harvey became?

He can. By taking the blame for Harvey's murders. Batman has changed  and become...

CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN

Why does that moment resonate? Why is it so powerful? 

Because Batman was truly forced to change. 

A good story must reflect true change in the protagonist. They must be pushed to the brink, and change is the only way to survive.

That's the potential power of plotting your ideas carefully along the steps all great stories follow.

Batman’s journey inverts elements of the Heroes Quest. It’s proof that following the formula doesn’t mean your story, or take, need be formulaic.

How to Write a Story Outline - Free Script Template - Joseph Campbell Hero's Journey

Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, counter clockwise on a circle. 

It all comes back to joseph campbell.

This is another take on the story circle concept. From the original source itself, Joseph Campbell. 

Many of the sections of Campbell’s monomyth apply to this final section, and don’t always have to go in the order above.

One phrase and section I find very useful when thinking about the story outline is ‘the master of two worlds’.

Because the journey has been, without a fail, a journey into another world. The character who returns ‘changed’ after the end of every section must be now a master of two worlds.

But the real meaning behind the ‘two worlds’? Usually it indicates that the character has confronted death, and come out somehow immortal.

We’re getting into some next level story philosophy stuff- but keep that in mind next time you watch a movie, or think about a good story.

  • Best Screenwriting Software →
  • Properly Format Your Screenplay →
  • Master Dramatic Writing →

Tips on Writing Better Dialogue

From "The Epic of Gilgamesh" to Star Wars to The Dark Knight , the steps and the story outline are the same. Of course there are no steadfast rules, but many times, outlines do help.

As you use the story outline, and break down other stories with it, you’ll begin to see that it applies to a lot more than movies and screenplays. Once you have your story outline down, check out our next post on writing better dialogue. 

Up Next: Tips On Writing Better Dialogue →

Write and produce your scripts all in one place..

Write and collaborate on your scripts FREE . Create script breakdowns, sides, schedules, storyboards, call sheets and more.

  • Pricing & Plans
  • Product Updates
  • Featured On
  • StudioBinder Partners
  • The Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets (with FREE Call Sheet Template)
  • How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet)
  • The Only Shot List Template You Need — with Free Download
  • Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template)
  • A Better Film Crew List Template Booking Sheet
  • Best Storyboard Softwares (with free Storyboard Templates)
  • Movie Magic Scheduling
  • Gorilla Software
  • Storyboard That

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.

  • Making It: From Pre-Production to Screen
  • What is Post-Production — The Final Steps in the Process
  • Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short — The Complete List
  • What Does Greenlit Mean in Movies — A Filmmaker’s Dream
  • What is a Novel – Definition, Types & Examples
  • What is Sympathy — Emotional Connection in Storytelling
  • 164 Facebook
  • 869 Pinterest

sample of short story outline

Ebooks, Publishing, and Everything in Between

  • Downloads & Pricing
  • Advertising

How to Write a Compelling Story Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide

  • on Mar 13, 2023
  • in Writing Tips
  • Last update: October 8th, 2023
  • at 12:48 pm

Every great story is like a journey, and every journey needs a map. That’s where a story outline comes in. Just as maps help travelers navigate unknown places, a story outline helps writers navigate the twists and turns of their stories. It’s the backbone of the narrative, providing a framework for the plot, characters, and themes.

Many writers agree that using outlines makes them more productive and gives them a better chance at finishing their projects. An outline can also help writers avoid common pitfalls like writer’s block and plot holes, ensuring that their story is cohesive.

So, to help you cohesive and successful story, we’ll examine in this article how to write a story outline and show you some examples by famous authors.

how to write a story outline

What Is a Story Outline?

A story outline is a structured plan that guides you as you write your manuscripts. It typically includes a summary of the major events of the plot, the main characters and their motivations, the setting, and any other main themes or ideas that the story explores. It can be as detailed or as brief as you need it to be, but it has to be clear enough to provide a framework for your novel.

A well-constructed outline can help you stay organized and focused while writing, avoid plot holes and inconsistencies, and ensure that your stories are cohesive and engaging.

Why Do Authors Need an Outline Before Writing a Novel?

While writing your novel, you’ll inevitably encounter various obstacles, and one of the ways to avoid them is to develop a comprehensive outline. Here’s how this outline can help you:

  • Saves Time and Helps in Avoiding Writer’s Block

One of the main causes of writer’s block is a lack of direction or uncertainty about where the story is going. When you have a well-structured outline, you have a roadmap that provides direction and helps you stay focused on the narrative. You’d then know what needs to happen next, which can help you overcome the blank page syndrome and keep the writing process flowing smoothly. 

  • Prevents Dead Ends

Have you ever started writing a certain plot twist only to discover thousands of words later that you’ve reached a cul-de-sac? You then start to revise your story or create new subplots to evade the brick wall you slammed into. 

By creating an outline first, you’ll be able to stay on track and avoid the pitfalls of dead-ends and inconsistencies. Moreover, having a clear understanding of the structure and flow of events allows you to quickly identify and resolve potential plot holes before they become major issues.

  • Encourages Creativity

Having an outline can allow you to fully explore the creative possibilities of your story. While some writers may view it as a rigid structure that limits their creativity, the outline can actually be a helpful tool as it provides a framework that allows you to experiment with different story elements and see how they fit together. 

It can also help you brainstorm new ideas for the story by identifying areas where more development is needed. Besides, having a clear idea of where the story is going can free up mental energy that might otherwise be spent worrying about the plot or structure. This can give you the confidence you need to explore new creative ideas and take risks in your writing.

benefits of writing a story outling

How to Write a Story Outline?

Plotting a novel can be a challenging task, but with a solid outline in place, it becomes much more manageable. And now that you know all the benefits of creating one, it’s time to grab your notebook (or keyboard) and follow these simple steps to master the skill of outlining. 

Step 1: Develop a Premise

Having a clear premise provides a foundation for the entire novel. The premise is the central idea or concept that the story revolves around, and it helps guide its direction. When the premise is clearly developed, it becomes easier to identify the main characters, their goals, and the conflicts they will face. This, in turn, makes it easier to create a plot that is consistent with the central idea.

A clear premise also helps in keeping the story focused and preventing it from becoming too convoluted or scattered. Without it, you might find it tempting to include too many subplots or unnecessary details, which can make your novel feel disjointed and confusing. 

To create a compelling premise, consider the following questions: 

  • What is the essence of the story that you want to convey to your readers?
  • What is the central question or conflict that will keep them engaged and turning the pages?
  • What are the emotions you want to evoke in them as they read the novel?

Step 2: Create Your Character Profiles

Next, start thinking about your main characters. Creating character profiles is a critical element in crafting a well-rounded story outline. By understanding the personalities, backgrounds, motivations, and goals of the characters, you’ll be able to better craft the plot and the conflict of the events.

For example, knowing the characters’ strengths and weaknesses can help in developing plot points that challenge them and force them to grow or change. A well-crafted backstory can also add depth and richness to the character, giving a more nuanced understanding of their behavior and choices as the plot unfolds. Additionally, knowing the characters’ motivations and goals can help you establish the stakes of the story and create a clear narrative direction.

Here are some steps to follow when developing character profiles:

  • Identify the main characters: Start by identifying the main characters in your novel. Typically, this includes the protagonist, antagonist, and any major supporting characters.
  • Develop their physical characteristics: Describe each character’s physical appearance, including their height, weight, hair color, eye color, and any other distinguishing features.
  • Outline their personality traits: Determine the personality traits of the character, including their strengths, weaknesses, quirks, and habits. This will help you come up with characters that are realistic and relatable.
  • Establish their backstory: Create a backstory for each character that describes their past experiences, including any significant events that have shaped their personality or worldview.
  • Determine their motivations and goals: Identify what each character wants and why. This can help you create a clear and compelling narrative arc .
  • Consider the relationships between that character: Reflect on the dynamics between each character and how their relationships evolve over the course of the story.

Step 3: Create Your Plot

The plot is the sequence of events that make up the story, and it provides the structure that the outline will follow. Once you have a general idea of what your novel is about and what your characters are like, you can start developing the plot by figuring out the major events and turning points that will occur in the story. This can include things like the exposition, the climax, the resolution , as well as any other key moments that you want to include in the story.

As you develop the plot, you will start to see how the story unfolds, and you can use this information to create a rough outline. This can help you see the big picture and fill in the details as you go. You’ll then be able to ensure that the events flow smoothly and that all of the pieces fit together in a way that makes sense.

Step 4: Determine the Setting

The setting is the when and where of the events in your novel. Deciding on the setting provides a clear and concrete background for the events and actions that take place. This, in turn, can help you in ensuring that the story is consistent and believable, and that the events make sense in the context of the setting.

Additionally, the setting influences the mood and tone of the novel, as well as the behavior and motivations of the characters. By establishing the setting early on in the outlining process, you can ensure that it’s fully integrated into the story and that it enhances the overall impact of the narrative.

Step 5: Build the Scenes

Now it’s time to bring all the above elements together and start building the main scenes. When done right, this will provide a clear structure for the plot. By identifying the major events and actions that move the story forward, you’ll be able to organize your ideas and ensure that it flows logically and cohesively. Furthermore, knowing the main scenes allows you to avoid unnecessary deviations or subplots that can distract from the main storyline.

Having a clear idea of the main scenes will also facilitate developing the characters; by considering how each character responds to the key events, you’ll be able to create more dynamic and believable characters with a clear motivation for their actions.

Step 6: Fine-Tune the Outline

The last step in perfecting your outline is ensuring that all the elements of your novel fit together and that the flow of your story goes smoothly. All you need to do now is identify any areas that are redundant or have major plot holes. And don’t forget to make sure that premise of your story is reflected in the outline in a logical and meaningful way.

writing a story outline

What Are Some Common Outline Formats?

While the steps we provided above will help you in writing a compelling outline, it is not the only way. In fact, there are many formats that writers use in crafting their outlines.  The best format for a particular author will depend on their individual writing style and the specific needs of their story. But to give you a general idea of the most common ones, let’s take a look at these four examples.

  • The Synopsis Outline

Usually used by authors to pitch agents, the synopsis outline gives a broad idea about the novel and how it progresses. However, many writers use it to outline their thoughts and ideas before they start the writing process. 

To make the best out of this outline format, start by creating a short document, usually a page or two, that provides a broad outline of the novel’s premise and structure. You can then include a description of the characters, conflict, and narrative arc. 

You can break down your synopsis into a few paragraphs: 

  • The first paragraph should introduce your two main characters (the protagonist “hero” and antagonist), how the story begins, and the setting of the story.  
  • The next few paragraphs include the plot twists faced by the hero. You may want to introduce other essential characters as well, such as sidekicks. 
  • In the final paragraph , you should explain how the major conflicts are settled, and give a glimpse of how the novel ends. 

Here’s a downloadable example of the synopsis outline .

  • The Snowflake Outline

If you prefer to focus on the big picture in your outline, then this method is ideal for you. Created by author and writing instructor Randy Ingermanson , this technique allows you to start with a basic summary and add elements from there. Just as you start drawing a snowflake with a single line, your story outline starts with a simple sentence. 

Here’s how it’s done: 

  • Start off with a sentence summing up the novel’s premise in 15 words or less.
  • Then expand it into a paragraph, adding the characters and the narrative arc. 
  • Proceed to create character summaries and gradually build the summaries into full character profiles. 
  • Create a list of the major scenes and organize them into a logical sequence. Then write a paragraph describing each scene.

You can now combine these parts into a document and expand upon it to write your story. To better understand this outline format, take a look at this one of J.K. Rowling’s novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

  • The Summary Outline

This format involves estimating the number of chapters and creating a beat-sheet document, listing the sequential plot events. Each chapter is then summarized with a distinct purpose, encompassing descriptions of characters, settings, and timings.

This method allows you to focus on the big picture of the story while giving you a clear idea of what should happen in each chapter. You’ll find it most useful if you prefer a flexible approach to writing and don’t want to be too rigidly tied to a specific structure or plot. 

You can also download this example of the summary outline of The Great Gatesby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

  • The Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey is based on the idea of a hero’s transformation through a journey. It isn’t a format per se–rather a story structure–but it is used by many writers to create an outline and guide the development of the plot. It is particularly useful for stories that revolve around a character’s personal transformation and growth, as it offers a framework for creating a compelling narrative arc that captures the hero’s journey from a state of naivety to one of experience and wisdom.

This journey typically consists of three main sections: departure , initiation , and return . The departure stage involves the hero leaving their ordinary world, which is followed by the initiation stage, where they face various trials and tribulations. The return stage sees the hero return to their ordinary world, transformed by their experiences and equipped with new abilities and insights.

Each of these stages contains a number of steps that describes the hero’s transformation into a wiser personality by overcoming certain obstacles. To understand more about these steps, take a look at this outline example .

Download Kotobee Author

Tips for Creating a Story Outline

Crafting a story outline can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure where to begin. Fortunately, there are several tips and tricks that can help simplify the process. Here are some effective strategies for creating an outline:

  • Decide on a Story Structure Before Outlining

When you first start writing your outline, it will be very tempting to jot all your thoughts down in an unorderly fashion so as not to lose any of the ideas in mind. However, having a clear understanding of the story structure will make writing the outline much easier. 

This structure shows how the events are organized into a clear beginning, middle, and end. Knowing how your story unfolds will help you know where to place the scenes and events to produce a logical and coherent storyline. 

  • Use a Template  

Using a template to outline your novel can provide a structure and guide that you can follow, which can help organize your thoughts and ideas more effectively. A template can also ensure that important elements (such as character development, plot progression, and setting details) aren’t forgotten.

Additionally, a template can save time and energy, as you won’t have to create a new outline from scratch every time you begin a new project. And if you’re stuck on the format of your outline (or simply want a jumpstart), a template is all you need. You can use any of the examples we’ve provided in the previous section as a guide to create your own outline, or click here to find more templates that fit all types of stories, novels, and other written work.

  • Visualize the Story

There are many tools that authors use to visualize the outline of their stories. For example, you can use mind maps or sticky notes to plan how the story progresses. 

Using mind maps is a popular way to outline novels and stories. This method can be a fun and creative way to brainstorm ideas and organize your thoughts. It allows you to see the relationship between different ideas and scenes and can help you create a cohesive and engaging story.

Other writers prefer using sticky notes with several colors to visually outline their novels. Sticky notes of the same color are used to represent the main chapters and are placed side by side. Then, using different-colored ones, notes that represent scenes in each chapter are placed below the corresponding main chapter. This can help you clearly see the flow of events and identify any plot holes the novel might have.

  • Take Inspiration from Other Writers’ Outlines

Try getting a glimpse of the outlines of famous and successful authors. Seeing how they approached creating their own outlines can give you valuable insights and a fresh perspective on how to create your own. For example, take a look at J.K. Rowling’s outline for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, or Joseph Heller’s outline for Catch-22.

creating a story outline

All in all, outlining is an essential tool that facilitates the writing of any novel. It helps you tackle numerous obstacles associated with writing such as writer’s block, redundancy, and plot holes. It also facilitates your writing process and keeps you focused. Keep in mind that each writer uses a different approach to outline their work. So always experiment and try new methods; eventually, you’ll reach the outcome you desire.   

The Different Types of Editing Explained

Exploring the Different Types of Creative Writing

How to Write the Best Book Introduction (With Checklists & Examples)

' src=

Lynne Knudsen

Can this be used to create a documentary about a woman who founded an amazing village?

' src=

Absolutely! The principles of creating a story outline can be applied to various forms of storytelling, including documentaries. Start by outlining the key events, characters, and themes related to the woman who founded the amazing village. Then, organize these elements into a structured narrative that tells her story effectively.

Best of luck with your documentary project! 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Kotobee

Kotobee is the complete end-to-end ebook solution for you and your business. Export multiple formats. Deliver securely.

Create, publish, and sell ebooks with ease

Kotobee es la solución completa de ebooks de extremo a extremo para usted y su empresa.

Cree, publique y venda libros electrónicos con facilidad

sample of short story outline

Recent Posts

  • 12 of the Best Book Writing Software to Try in 2024 (Free and Paid)
  • 8 Quiz Maker Tools for Learning and Teaching in 2024
  • What is Conflict in a Story and How to Write One in 8 Steps
  • The Most Vibrant Literary Festivals Happening in 2024
  • Adaptive Learning: What It Is and How to Apply It
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Authority Self-Publishing

Your Step-By-Step Guide To Writing A Story Outline

Writing a whole novel can seem like such a daunting task. 

But it’s far easier to complete a novel if you break it down. 

Writing a book outline is a really helpful way to break your story down into more manageable parts and to give you a clear guide on where your story is going and what to write next.

Let’s look at how to write a story outline, and we’ll give you some story outline examples to help you get started.

What Is a Story Outline?

You’ll write faster., it’s easier to write., there’s less chance of the dreaded saggy middle., an outline keeps your story on track., you can clearly see your character arcs., save time on editing., 1) start with your premise., 2) identify major plot elements., 3) get to know your characters., 4) explore your settings., 5) think about your theme., 6) choose your outlining method., 7) create your outline., 8) troubleshoot your outline., 9) starting writing, 1) snowflake method, 2) save the cat method, 3) fichtean curve method, 4) reverse outlining, final thoughts.

A novel outline is like a roadmap for your book. Just as you wouldn’t set off on a long journey to an unfamiliar destination without a map, writing a book outline can help you get from setting off from your home to reaching your destination. 

Your novel outline is basically the skeleton of your story, including the structure, main plot points, and more, depending on how detailed you want to make it.

However, it’s not supposed to be a rigid, stifling, or limited document you’re not allowed to deviate from. 

It’s supposed to be a helpful, loose guide that still leaves room for your imagination.

Don’t worry if you don’t already know everything about your story. You can still create a good outline and fill in the gaps as you go.

It’s also possible that however good your outline is, your characters will turn up and throw it out the window. 

If that happens, go with it. It’s your characters that should drive the story. You can always tweak and adjust your outline as you get further into your story.

Things to ask yourself when you’re creating your outline:

  • Who are your main characters ?
  • Where are they when the story starts?
  • What is your story’s setting?
  • What is the inciting incident?
  • How will your characters change over the story?
  • What do your characters want?
  • What is stopping your characters from getting what they want? The villain? Something internal? A combination?
  • What are the stakes for your main characters?
  • What is your theme?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, or somewhere in between. An outline can still help you write your story.

Plotters may want to get really detailed and plot out each individual scene and pantsers can still write a helpful outline but leave more to be decided as they write.

An outline can be anything from a simple list of handwritten plot points on a page to a whole wall of sticky notes or index cards.

Some people prefer the visual format of a mind map, some would rather use writing software, like Scrivener, and yet others work best with a typed, ordered list of scenes.

Why It’s Important to Create an Outline for a Story

It’s not compulsory to create an outline for your book.

You don’t have to if doing so doesn’t work for you, but if you can make it work, there are a lot of advantages to writing a book outline before you start writing your story:

With so many books out every month, it can be hard to stand out. One of the best ways to get attention is to use rapid release for your stories.

But one thing that tends to slow people down when writing is that they don’t know what happens next, and they have to spend time thinking about it before they can crack on with the story.

Write a novel outline, on the other hand, and you can speed away with your story because you’ve already worked out the whole thing from start to finish.

You can then release your stories more rapidly and keep your readers happy.

Not only can you write quicker, but it’s also easier to write and to ensure you don’t miss anything that needs to be there if you already have an outline of at least the story’s main points.

Hands up if you’ve ever started writing a novel and then realized that either you have no idea what happens in the middle at all or that what you’ve got just isn’t enough to keep the story flowing to the end.

That’s the saggy middle, and it’s not something you want. Use your outline to plan your middle and avoid the dreaded sag.

With a well-planned outline, you have a clear path from start to finish, and it’s easier to stay on track when you’re writing and ensure you’re still heading to the big finish you planned.

In most stories, the main characters grow and change over the course of the story. You can use your outline to map these changes out and then write your story without losing any of those changes.No more writer’s block.

Kick writer’s block into touch with a clear outline that you can easily follow to see what to write next and what comes after that.

That doesn’t mean you have to write in order if you don’t want to, but it should mean that you aren’t left staring at a blank page with no idea what to do next.

A great outline can save you a lot of time on editing. You might find that once you’ve written your story, there isn’t as much to change to make sure your story flows well and that you don’t have to edit too much in terms of the story structure.

You might also save yourself some money here because there may be less for your developmental editor to do.

9 Ways to Write a Story Outline: Your Step-by-Step Guide

At the end of this post, we’ll share some story outline examples where you’ll discover there are as many ways to outline your story as there are writers.

But that’s a very good thing. It means that if you want to outline your stories, you can find a way that works for you.

It might take some trial and error on your part, but you will come up with a way of outlining that helps you plan your novel and keep track of all the parts of your plot.

Your premise is the basic idea for your story. What happens and who does it happen to? Remember those questions we gave you in our section, What is a Story Outline? This is where you need them.

Start asking yourself about your story, who your main characters are, and what happens to them.

Look at the inciting incident that sets your main characters off on the path of following the story through. What are the obstacles along the way?

Who is the villain, and what are they up to? How will they try to stop your main characters from achieving their goal?

What is your story about? What is your theme? What tropes will you need to include to fit the genre?

Take some time to answer these questions and think things through, then write yourself a paragraph that summarizes your novel.

We’ve already mentioned the inciting incident – the event that takes place that propels your characters into taking action and doesn’t give them any choice in the matter.

In this step, think about the main elements of your story.

  • What happens at the beginning when you introduce your main character? Where does your character start?
  • What is the mid-point or mirror moment?
  • What happens at the climax of the story?
  • How does your story end?

Once you have these major points nailed, you are a good way toward having your outline done, and you have the major points to hand your scenes on.

You can’t finish your outline without knowing your characters really well. Your story should be character-driven, and action and dialogue should come about because you know what your characters would do next and how they would react to each challenge or occurrence in your story.

Use character sheets if it helps, and write down their basic information, such as physical description, any marks, scars, tattoos, eye color, hair color, and more.

If you’re very visual, try to find a photograph of an actor that would play your character in the movie of the book. That can help solidify your character in your mind and let you see and hear them.

Look at your story skeleton from step two and think about how your characters will react to these major points. You may well start coming up with scenes and dialogue at this point, which is great! Jot those down too.

Know how your characters change and grow over the course of the story. Most characters do develop and change in novels. There are very few characters that stay the same.

Get to know your settings as well as you do your characters. You want to be able to describe things in detail for your readers and bring them into the story. 

In some cases, some settings may also contribute to the story and be either a part of the solution or a part of the problem. 

If you’re familiar with the story of Odysseus or Jason and the Argonauts, for example, you’ll well remember the journey across the sea when they faced Scylla (clashing rocks) and Charybdis (the whirlpool), in a very narrow strait of water.

Don’t just think about what your settings look like. Add more description and help place the reader firmly in the story by thinking about what your settings feel like, smell like, and sound like.

More Related Articles

Everything You Need To Know About Abridged Vs. Unabridged Books And Audiobooks

9 Best Thesauruses For Writers

15 Copywriting Books That Should Be In Every Writer’s Library

Some writers only discover the theme of their stories as they write. If that’s you, don’t worry. You can still write an outline and then add in the theme later once you’ve discovered what it is. Just leave this bit blank for now.

If you’d rather decide on your theme before you start to write, or even better, if you already know what it is, write it down here.

It’s good to keep the themes of your story in mind both as you write your outline and as you write your story. You can then ensure that your story fits with your theme and what you want to say.

We’ve shown you some story-outlining examples above, but those are just some of the ways you could outline your story.

You could choose a specific outlining method, such as the Snowflake Method, follow the three-act structure, or you could create an outlining method that’s all your own just because that’s what works best for you.

Start to bring everything together here from the above steps. Go back to step two and start to add other major plot points, scenes, notes, and more to your list of the major plot elements.

Keep expanding your outline and adding in more details, including your character arcs, beats, and anything else you find helpful until you’re at a point where you think you’re done, and you’re ready to start writing.

While plotters may want to get into all the details in their outline, pantsers are more likely to want quite a light outline that they can then use to guide them as they discover the story as they write.

Give it a day or two, and then read back over your outline. Make sure every plot point and scene leads naturally up to the major plot elements and that the story flows.

See if there are any gaps and fill them.

Add in any other notes, scene ideas, and bits of dialogue that come up as you do this.

You’ve done it. Your outline is complete, and it’s now time to put it to use and write.

Use your outline as much or as little as you want as you write. Don’t forget that your story follows naturally from who your characters are and what they would naturally do under given circumstances. 

If you find that your characters are going in a different direction or that you get better ideas as you write, then go with them. If things don’t work out, you can always look back at your original outline for help.

Story Outline Methods and Examples

Honestly, there really isn’t one best way to outline your novel. There’s only the best one that works for you. Here are just some story outline examples to show you how you could outline your story.

Try different ones to see which one you prefer, or try adapting the parts that work for you from different methods.

This method was invented by Randy Ingermanson. He was a software architect, and when it came to writing novels, he found himself using the same method he used to design software to write his novels.

He wrote this method up to share with other writers, and many writers find this a helpful way to outline.

You start by writing a single-sentence summary of your novel. This should be a compelling hook to draw your readers in. Get it right, and you can also use it in your marketing copy.

Next, you expand the sentence to a paragraph, which includes the start of the story, the major points, and the end of your story. You now have a short overview of your novel.

Next, add a one-page in-depth summary of each main character. Then go back to your paragraph summary and expand every sentence in that summary into another paragraph.

Keep expanding your novel outline until you have a full, highly-detailed outline and character sketches of your major characters.

You can read Randy’s full description of the Snowflake Method on his website .

Save the Cat was originally a method for writing screenplays by Blake Snyder, a Hollywood screenwriter. It is equally effective for writing novels.

It’s called Save the Cat because so many novels have that moment where the main character does something to make the reader feel for them and root for them, for example, like saving a cat from a tree.

With Save the Cat, you follow a beat sheet, which breaks down the three-act structure, and simply fill in a couple of sentences for each beat to describe what you’ll need to know or what happens in each beat.

This then gives you a good overview of your novel and what has to happen at each point.

You can read more and download beat sheet examples at the Save the Cat website .

This method is commonly used for thrillers where you want the reader to feel right in the middle of the action from the get-go.

The first two-thirds of a story plotted with this method are known as “Rising Action.” The next point in the story is the “Climax,” and then what follows is known as “Falling Action.” It’s easy to see how thrillers fit this method particularly well. 

Most thrillers start off at break-neck speed and take the reader through fast-paced action that’s all heading in the direction of the climax of the story.

Then, once the climax is reached, the story continues into falling action where explanations are given, the bad guys get their just desserts, and any romance is wrapped up nicely.

The pattern of the Fichtean curve tends to look like this:

Crisis 1, Crisis 2, Crisis 3, Climax, Falling Action.

Think about your story and see how you can plan all the action to fit this format.

This method is exactly what it sounds like. Start at the end and then work your way back to the beginning to see how you’ll get to that ending.

This method can be particularly helpful for murder mysteries and thrillers. You can work backward from “who dunnit” and why, working out the steps they took to commit the crime.

As you go, you can also fill in how the detective or hero/heroine of the story works it out. It’s then much easier to go through and add twists to the plot and plant clues and red herrings for your readers to follow.

When it comes to outlining, there are so many different ways to approach it. Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, an outline can make a big difference when writing your story.

It can help you keep track of everything that needs to happen and allow you to write faster. 

However, when choosing the best way to outline your story, don’t think you have to follow what anyone else does. Everyone is different, so outline in the way that makes the most sense to you.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Story Outline Examples

story outline example

It might be difficult to plot out your entire story. You've had some time to start establishing your universe, plot, and characters, as well as your moral grey area and primary issues, and now you're faced with the difficult challenge of piecing it all together into a cohesive story—and keeping a reader's attention. And this is where the story outline examples will help you by giving you an idea on how to properly concise your information into a cohesive story.

Time spent on a story outline gives you foresight into your book. Consider yourself a boulder, peering up at a high cliff. Simply leap onto the ledge and watch what happens. You could get to the top this way by planning it properly.

What is a story outline?

A story outline is a file that includes crucial planning information on the structure, storyline, characters, events, situations, and other aspects of your novel. It's the framework of your story.

An outline can range from a one-page formal document to a multi-page visual mind map that employs diagrams to depict the relationship between data and concepts. If you have enough room, put your phrases on index cards and tape them to the wall to make it simpler to see and manage the components. Each incident should be described in a simple, concise sentence.

How to write a good story outline?

Although no two outlines are the same, there are a variety of ways to get the book outline process started. From a summary to a detailed outline, or using Randy Ingermanson's snowflake method or the bookend method to approach the craft, there's something for everyone.

Aside from detailing characters and plot elements for tale structure, your outline should provide you with a basic feel of your novel's direction, as well as the main conflicts and tensions that will keep readers interested. While drafting your outline, keep the following questions in mind:

  • What is the story's major contract? By the end of the story, you must have fulfilled the commitments you have made to your audience.
  • What kind of time constraints are you putting on your protagonists?
  • What is at risk for the novel's main character? Is the primary protagonist's stress level increasing as the story progresses?

Example 1: Harry Potter

It is an adaptation of the book written by J.K. Rowling's blockbuster children's novels about Harry Potter, a young boy who discovers on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two great wizards and has his magical abilities. As an unwanted child, he is taken from his household to study at Hogwarts, an English wizarding boarding school. There, he meets a group of students who become his closest friends and help him figure out what happened to his parents.

Harry Potter Mind Map

Example 2: Shawshank Redemption

  • The entrance of a convict called Andy Dufresne, whose stint at Shawshank had an impact on everyone's life, is recounted by Red, the narrator. In 1947, Andy was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his wife, Linda, and her boyfriend. Despite all the evidence pointing to his being at the crime site on the night of the killings, Andy has only ever defended his actions, which Red finally accepts.
  • Andy has considerable problems adapting to prison life at first, especially because many of the other inmates regard him as snobbish. Despite the difficulties he experienced in prison, Andy never complained or lost faith in himself, and he continued to plot his escape.

Shawshank Mind Map

Example 3: White Chapel Vampire

  • Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes investigate rumors that a vampire is on the loose in London. The killings are thought to be the act of a vampire who has recently returned from a job in Guyana. They have a continuing dispute over the supernatural while they examine the deaths, with Watson having faith in vampires and Holmes staying suspicious until he can establish the killings were committed by a real person rather than an undead entity.
  • To truly understand the killer, Holmes disguises himself as a monk and explains that the vampire was Brother Abel, who was seeking vengeance on the monks. Mrs. Hudson offers Holmes his pipe on Baker Street that was brought up by the guy who saved Holmes from an accident, and the movie concludes at that scene. When Holmes asked Mrs. Hudson claimed that his name was Reginald Church.

White Chapel Vampire Mind Map

Example 4: Romeo & Juliet Act 2

Act 2 is primarily on the main character's emotional roller coaster. Because conflict is so important in this act, give your protagonists a variety of hurdles to conquer. Struggle does not always imply a physical conflict; it may also refer to a variety of hurdles that prevent the protagonist from accomplishing his or her objective or ambition.

In exchange for her love, Romeo admits himself and promises to give up his identity. Romeo seems nonchalant when Juliet warns him that if he is seen with her as a Montague, he will be slain. The two proclaim their love for one another and agree to marry after much contemplation. Romeo promises to send a messenger the next day to notify Juliet of his wedding arrangements. As the morning rises, the drama comes to a close, and Romeo exits to seek help from Friar Laurence.

Juliet makes a marriage proposal to Romeo. That afternoon, Friar Lawrence agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet. Tybalt writes Romeo a letter in which he expresses his desire for vengeance for the Montagues' collapse of the feast. Friar Lawrence wedded Romeo and Juliet in secrecy.

Romeo & Juliet Mind Map

[Free] Best 10 BCG Matrix Examples for Students

sample of short story outline

To-Do List Mind Map Template

sample of short story outline

The 9 Popular Types of Mind Map

sample of short story outline

7 Types of Organizational Charts (With Examples)

sample of short story outline

Gastritis Mind Map

sample of short story outline

Nursing Concept Map Examples

Dotxes

Short Story Outline Template – 7+ Worksheets for Word, PDF Format

Crafting a short story can be a daunting task. In many respects, it poses more challenges than writing a full-length novel. The inherent brevity of a short story demands concise, yet comprehensive character development, world-building, and plot creation, with each word carrying significant weight. This might seem intimidating, but there’s a helpful tool at your disposal: a short story outline. A well-structured short story outline template can streamline your storytelling process and guide your narrative with clear logic and precision.

So, how do you create an effective short story outline? Don’t worry about formatting – a robust template will naturally guide your narrative. Instead, focus on the crux of your short story: character development, setting, and plotline. These elements, when well-constructed, bring your characters to life and immerse your readers in the world you’ve created.

Here are some story outline templates to help you:

Table of Contents

Story Outline Template

A story outline template is a structured framework that helps writers map out the key elements of their narrative, from beginning to end. This tool aids in establishing characters, setting, plot points, and thematic elements, ensuring a coherent and captivating story progression. Whether you’re penning a short tale or a novel-length epic, this free template can guide your creative process.

sample of short story outline

Download Source: https://www.highfile.com/story-outline-template/

Short Story Script Outline Template

A Short Story Script Outline Template is a structured guide to help organize and plan the narrative of a short story script. This efficient tool streamlines plot, character, and setting development, enhancing your storytelling process. Make the most of this free template to elevate your script writing.

Short Story Outline Template

Download Source: https://www.highfile.com/script-outline-template/

Blank Short Story Outline Template PDF

Blank Short Story Outline Template PDF

You will soon find that a good Short Story Outline Worksheet is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. It is especially important with a Short Story to keep the story moving forward. By placing your elements into the template, you can insure that the characters, environments, and action all flow together without the possibility of the author getting sidetracked.

Short Story Outline Worksheet

Short Story Outline Worksheet

Short Story Outline PDF Format

Short Story Outline PDF Format

Short Story Outline Format

Short Story Outline Format

Personally, I find writing for children to be an exceptional challenge and I always use a Children’s Story Outline Template to help me out. It is critical when writing for children that you develop characters that younger readers can identify with. The template will help you place the characters within your world, while also helping to tell your story in a way that children can identify with.

Sample Short Story Outline PDF Format

Sample Short Story Outline PDF Format

Writing Short Story Review Outline

Writing Short Story Review Outline

How to Write Short Story Outline

How to Write Short Story Outline

Why Use an Outline?

An outline is not just an optional step in the writing process, it’s a tool that can greatly enhance your story’s structure and flow. Using an outline can help you:

  • Maintain consistency in your plot and characters
  • Ensure your story has a balanced pace
  • Identify and rectify plot holes early in the writing process
  • Keep your writing focused and on track
  • Enable more efficient revisions and edits after the first draft

Elements of a Short Story Outline

A robust outline for a short story generally consists of the following elements:

This is where and when your story takes place. As you think about your setting, consider:

  • The geographical location
  • The time period
  • The socio-cultural context
  • Significant environmental details

Characters are the heart of your story. When developing your characters, it’s essential to define:

  • Their physical appearance
  • Their personalities
  • Their motivations and goals
  • Their relationships with other characters

The plot is the sequence of events that make up your story. It typically includes:

  • The Introduction: Where you set the stage and introduce the characters and setting
  • The Rising Action: Where the main characters face challenges and conflicts start to build up
  • The Climax: The turning point of your story, often a major confrontation or revelation
  • The Falling Action: The aftermath of the climax, where tensions start to resolve
  • The Resolution: The conclusion of your story, where the characters’ problems are solved or changed

Crafting a Short Story Outline: A Step-by-Step Approach

Step 1: define your main idea.

Every great story starts with a strong, clear idea. It might be a scene, a character, a conflict, or an emotion. Write it down and make it the foundation of your outline.

Step 2: Develop Your Characters

Think about who will inhabit your story. Make sure your characters are well-rounded and have their own motivations and challenges. This will make them more relatable and engaging to your readers.

Step 3: Design Your Setting

Consider where your story will take place and how this environment will influence your characters and their actions. The setting should serve to enhance the plot and theme of your story.

Step 4: Construct Your Plot

Organize the sequence of events in your story, making sure to include the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Each of these stages should contribute to the overall narrative and help maintain the readers’ interest.

Step 5: Review and Refine Your Outline

Look over your outline and make any necessary changes. Ensure the plot makes sense, the characters’ motivations align with their actions, and the setting complements the story.

Remember, an outline is not set in stone. It is a dynamic tool that can be adjusted and refined as you delve into the actual writing of your short story.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of Outlining

Creating an effective outline can be an invaluable part of writing a short story. It can provide structure, direction, and a sense of coherence that is crucial to the storytelling process. Embrace the power of outlining, and you may find that the daunting task of writing a short story becomes a manageable and enjoyable endeavor.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Add comment

  • Agenda Templates
  • Agreement Templates
  • Certificates Templates
  • Envelopes Templates
  • Invoices Templates
  • Lists Templates
  • Letterhead Templates
  • Memos Templates
  • MOU Templates
  • Minutes Templates
  • Resumes Templates
  • Receipts Templates
  • Budgets Templates

Advertisements

  • Certificates
  • Marriage Certificates

Looking to publish? Meet your dream editor, designer and marketer on Reedsy.

Find the perfect editor for your next book

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them.

Blog • Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on Dec 06, 2023

How to Outline a Novel in 9 Easy Steps

This post is written by author and editor Kirsten Bakis . She’s an award-winning novelist with 25 years experience as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher.

Here’s the most important thing about novel outlines: If you write one, it will change before your last draft is done — probably a lot. This is because, whether you think of yourself as a plotter, pantser, or neither, your book is going to evolve as you write it. And that’s a good thing. 

There are things you can’t know until you’ve drafted your novel — and you’ll learn even more when you revise. To quote George Saunders, “An artist works outside the realm of strict logic.” A book has to change and grow as you move through the process of creation.

Most of all, as you create your outline, don’t worry about things like whether your ideas are “good enough” to write about. This will get you stuck before you start. Award-winning author Nicholson Baker’s novel The Mezzanine is literally about a man going out to buy shoelaces on his office lunch break. If that plot can work, yours can too. 

You’re going to find out a lot more about your ideas as you write. So don’t judge them, or yourself, at this stage. Many working writers I know actually prefer to outline after they have a draft, and it will be just as useful — or even more so.

So what’s a pre-drafting outline actually for? To get you started and give you a structure to hang your words on. In this post, I’ll share the key steps I've found most useful for outlining novels before writing the first draft.

How to outline a novel:

1. Choose your main character

2. give your main character a big problem, 3. find a catalyst that sparks action, 4. set obstacles on their path, 5. define their biggest ordeal, 6. figure out a resolution, 7. pinpoint the character’s arc, 8. connect the end to the start of the story, 9. put your outline together  .

💡 Writing nonfiction? Follow these 3 steps to outline a nonfiction book instead.

wy8XPuPiC74 Video Thumb

At the heart of almost every story is a main character who goes on a journey from Point A to Point B. This journey can be emotional, physical, or both. Your protagonist might travel to new lands; learn, change and grow as a person; or do all of those things.

For this first outline, choose one main character. Remember, this can always change later. You can even add multiple main characters, each with their own journey, after you’re done with this. But right now, start with one. 

📝 To Do : Write down your main character’s name. If you struggle to find one, take this character's name generator for a spin. If you have lots of characters in mind and don’t know which one should be the protagonist, don’t freak out! Just choose one for now and go through this ten-minute outlining exercise to see what you get.

For this pre-draft outline, you just need their name. But to further develop your characters and keep track of their unique traits, download and print the free character profile template below.

FREE RESOURCE

FREE RESOURCE

Reedsy’s Character Profile Template

A story is only as strong as its characters. Fill this out to develop yours.

You might already know a million problems your main character will face, or you might be coming up with all of this from scratch. Either way is fine! For this outline, choose one Big Problem. Or, if you prefer, choose a Big Goal. 

These are two sides of the same coin: Their Big Problem is that they need to reach their Big Goal — and there are obstacles in the way. (Of course there are obstacles, because that’s your story! More on that below.)

Take Daniel Woodrell’s novel Winter’s Bone . The protagonist, Ree, learns that if her dad doesn’t show up for his court date, her family will lose their home.  

Problem : Her family could lose the house. 

Goal : Save their home by getting her father to show up in court.

Ree and her siblings in Winter's Bone

Ideally, your problem should have stakes that are high for the main character. For example, Ree’s family is so poor that their house is basically all they have. If they lose it, they lose everything.

On the other hand, maybe your main character’s problem is smaller — maybe they can’t comfortably wear their shoes until they have new shoelaces. That can work, too. The most important thing is that it matters to the character .

📝 To Do : Write down your main character’s main problem. Don’t get hung up on whether you’ve chosen the best one. Choose one and go. You can change this later. You can even give them a random problem to get yourself started. 

In most stories, there is usually a catalyst (or inciting incident ) which sparks a series of actions. To find yours, answer this question: When does your character first realize they have this Big Problem (or Big Goal)? Does someone visit them and tell them they’re going to lose their house? Does their shoelace break? 

📝 To Do : Describe this moment in one sentence. You can try Pixar writer Emma Coats’s formula: “Once upon a time there was _____. Every day _____. One day_____.” Your catalyst is the “one day” event — the occurrence that launches the story.

What’s the first action your character takes to move forward after the Catalyst? In Winter’s Bone , the deputy tells Bree she needs to find her dad or lose her house in Chapter Three — that’s the catalyst. In Chapter Five, she sets out on the first leg of her journey, to visit the uncle who might know his whereabouts — that’s her first action.

Still of Ree in action in Winter's Bone

The Mezzanine is actually told slightly out of chronological order (a discussion for another post!) but we still see the same catalyst/action progression: At the start of Chapter Two, the narrator discovers his shoelace is broken; a few pages later he attempts to solve his problem by tying its two halves together.

Remember that your character’s first action won’t solve the Big Problem — otherwise the story would be over. It may be an attempt that will fail, or an action that will cause the next step to be revealed. 

📝 To Do : Write one sentence to describe this action. We often like characters who are trying their best to get what they want. Having a protagonist who is active and determined — even if they make mistakes! — is a good way to keep readers engaged.

GET ACCOUNTABILITY

GET ACCOUNTABILITY

Meet writing coaches on Reedsy

Industry insiders can help you hone your craft, finish your draft, and get published.

Golden Age Hollywood director Billy Wilder famously described plot as: “Get your character up a tree. Throw rocks at them. Get them down.”

In Winter’s Bone , Ree’s family will lose her house if her dad doesn’t make his court date — that’s the tree she’s up. But she hasn’t seen him for ages, and no one knows — or maybe, no one wants to say — where he is. And: The more people she asks, the more she gets told to leave it alone and not try to find him — or else. These are the rocks that get thrown at her — the obstacles she faces on her journey.

Ree’s father, played by John Hawkes in Winter's Bone

📝 To Do : Write down three to five “rocks” for your main character. Bonus: Make them go from bad, to worse, to even worse. Don’t worry if you don’t immediately know what these should be. Make some up! Writing is truly just making stuff up, then changing it when you revise. Might as well start now. 

This is a key plot point in almost every story. It’s the moment when things look dark and hopeless. Your narrator has a goal, and there’s at least one scene where it appears there is absolutely no way they can ever, ever reach it. In the 12 stages of The Hero’s Journey , this is the one called The Ordeal. In film, this stage is often referred to as the “All is Lost” moment.

Think back to the last book you read. Was there at least one point, somewhere in the second half, where the main character seemed about to give up? It could have been a life-or-death situation; or it could have been a scene where they just felt discouraged and like they weren’t going to solve their problem/reach their goal. 

If your character is up a tree having rocks thrown at them, this plot point is the biggest rock of all.

📝 To Do : In one sentence, what is the “all is lost” moment in your story. You know the drill by now! Don’t overthink this — just throw down one idea, any idea, even if it’s a terrible one. This will give you something to revise later. I cannot overstate the mystical, magical power of giving yourself something to revise, no matter what it is. 

FREE RESOURCE

Hero's Journey Template

Plot your character's journey with our step-by-step template.

How is your character going to get out of this situation? This is one of those questions you might not really answer until you’ve written your draft, but come up with something to start with. 

Here’s a trick: Make a quick list of your character’s wants vs needs . Often after “All is Lost,” is the moment the character realizes they truly won’t get what they want — but that they will get what they need instead. In The Wizard of Oz , this is the moment Dorothy realizes the Wizard won’t get her back home, after she’s worked so hard — but she’s had the power to do it all along with the ruby slippers, she just didn’t know it.

Bestselling author Caroline Leavitt discusses wants vs needs during a Reedsy Live . Leavitt uses the example of Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby thinking that if he can just have money and get into Gatsby’s world, he’ll find happiness. The “All is Lost” moment is when Gatsby is murdered. By the end, Nick realizes that world is actually empty — and he walks away. He’s found his solution, but it isn’t what he thought it was going to be at the start of the story.

Nick in The great gatsby, looking disillusioned

So when you think of how your character will get out of their darkest moment, ask them if there’s something they need to understand about themselves — understanding it might be their way out. 

📝 To Do : Write one to three sentences about how your character gets out of the “All is Lost Moment” and begins to solve their problem. This could be one of your hardest plot points to figure out ahead of time, so again, no pressuring yourself to make it perfect. You can even leave this blank if you need to for now.

The character’s arc refers to the transformation of the protagonist from the start to the end of the story. It highlights the evolution of the character as a result of the challenges and experiences they face. Identifying and outlining this arc is a crucial aspect of developing your story.

Here’s a simple, incredibly useful exercise from Rachael Herron’s Fast-Draft Your Memoir that also works for novels. 

📝 To Do : In your main character’s voice, fill in these blanks: 

I started out _______.

I ended up _______. 

Bonus: Do that three more times — quickly. This will give you more information about your character’s journey. Be specific. If they started out sad and they ended up happy, what made that difference? A new job, a new love, a new sense of self-acceptance?  

Tana French’s literary thriller In the Woods begins and ends with a description of the main character experiencing the same patch of woods — first in a seemingly perfect summer when he's a kid; then twenty years later, when he’s grown up. You could see these parallel first and last scenes as “bookends.”

The narrator's situation in the last scene is very different from the first, in every way, from his age, to the landscape’s appearance, to the weather, to his mood and actions. These physical changes reflect the journey he went on over the course of the book. 

Screengrab from Boyhood, same character as a kid and teenager laying together on the grass

You don’t have to set your first and last scenes in the same location, but this is a great thought exercise to show yourself how much the main character changes, and how. Or, instead of using a location, try an object — say, a doll that the narrator plays with as a child on page one, that we see on the shelf in their own kid’s room on the last page. 

📝 To Do : Make it visual. Look at your fill-in-the-blanks exercise and quickly describe two bookend scenes that would show your character’s transformation. You don’t have to use these exact images in your novel. This is to give you a visual A-to-B journey to track as you write. But you’ll find they’ll help you create a strong beginning and ending.

Congratulations: You just created nine key plot points for your novel! Take a minute to celebrate. 

The final step is to create your outline. I love to do this with sticky notes which can then be arranged (and rearranged) on a wall, table, or trifold board. You could also use index cards or just type your notes into a document. It’s key to keep your scene descriptions short, though — one reason why sticky notes or cards are helpful. 

📝 To Do : Get your pack of sticky notes, and quickly jot down one sentence to describe each of these key plot points:

  • Opening : You can use the first “bookend” you just created.
  • Catalyst : Put your Catalyst moment here.
  • Action : Put your character’s first action towards their Big Goal here. 
  • Rocks 1 through 3 : The scenes where your character encounters the obstacles or “rocks” you described above. This step should create three separate scenes.
  • The Big Rock : This is the all-is-lost scene you came up with above.
  • Resolution : The Solution you came up with above. 
  • Last scene : For this, use the closing bookend scene you created.

You now have a map of nine key scenes. Choose a spot that works for you — like a section of wall near where you write, a bulletin board, or a table — and arrange them in order. Behold your novel outline! You did it! 

💡 You can easily create these nine steps in Reedsy's writing app , where you can also write and format your manuscript. 

Screengrab of the Reedsy's writing app outlining feature

FREE OUTLINING APP

The Reedsy Book Editor

Use the Boards feature to plan, organize, or research anything.

You can add other scenes later if you choose, such as act breaks, depending on which story structure model you’d like to use — but you don’t need to. You can start your draft right now using these plot points as guideposts. 

The most important thing is to remember that when you start writing, your story will change. You may find your initial outline ideas don’t quite fit, and that’s okay — it’s a good thing. It means you’re on the unpredictable, creative journey of writing a novel. Remember what George Saunders said about working outside the realm of logic.

When you’re done with your draft, sit down with this template and do the exercises again, using what you’ve written, and you’ll be amazed at how your understanding of the plot points — and your story as a whole — has evolved and grown. Now go write that draft! 

Photo of author and editor Kirsten Bakis

3 responses

Bhakti Mahambre says:

12/06/2018 – 08:19

An informative article along with useful story development aids, I heartily thank Reedsy for their efforts to put this together! #mewriting

Robintvale says:

08/05/2019 – 12:28

Whew so much to read on here I'm at the Premise right now and didn't even have to look at the links to finish it. :D I must be getting somewhere then! (Trying to fix a mostly written book that has a few hick ups. [Merryn] must [steal the book of P. with the trapped god] to [bring it back to the elder adapts back home in Dentree.] or else [Her and everyone else will disappear as the crazed and corrupted god will restart the world.]

kwesi Baah says:

08/02/2020 – 04:30

Reedsy is and I think will be the best thing that has happened to my writing career . thank you so much in so many ways .........i Love Reedsy

Comments are currently closed.

Continue reading

Recommended posts from the Reedsy Blog

sample of short story outline

Narrative Structure: Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips

What's the difference between story structure and narrative structure? And how do you choose the right narrative structure for you novel?

sample of short story outline

What is the Proust Questionnaire? 22 Questions to Write Better Characters

Inspired by Marcel Proust, check out the questionnaire that will help your characters remember things past.

sample of short story outline

What is Pathos? Definition and Examples in Literature

Pathos is a literary device that uses language to evoke an emotional response, typically to connect readers with the characters in a story.

sample of short story outline

How to Start a Children’s Book: Coming Up with Your Big Idea

If you've ever dreamed of writing a children's book but aren't sure where to start, check out this post to learn more about how you can create the perfect story for kids.

sample of short story outline

How to Become a Travel Writer in 5 Steps: A Guide for Travel Bugs

If you want to get paid to share your adventures, learn how to become a travel writer with these five tips.

sample of short story outline

How to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template]

Portraying someone’s life on paper in a comprehensive and engaging way requires solid preparation. Here are 7 steps you can follow.

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

RBE | Boards (photo) | 2023-03

The ultimate app for outlining

Structure your story with the free Reedsy Book Editor.

Reedsy Marketplace UI

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

sample of short story outline

[Detailed] 6 Story Outline Examples You Should Never Miss

5 minutes read

You have already established the universe, plot, characters, and moral grey area of your story. However, you are having a challenge piecing everything together into a cohesive story that will keep your readers’ attention. That’s where a story outline comes in.

In this article, we define what a story outline is and provide 6 short story outline examples to give you a better understanding of this concept. Let’s get started.

story-outlines-cover

What Is a Story Outline

A story outline is also referred to as a road map. This is a file with crucial planning information on the storyline, structure, events, characters, situations, and other aspects of your novel, which makes the story outline the framework of your story.

Why Is an Outline Important in Story Writing

A good novel outline will give your story direction and a clear path to articulate your ideas. Instead of spending time wondering what will happen next, your outline specifies the most important events and how each scene builds to the next one. You will have a clear idea of how the scenes unfold so you can plan better:

  • Have a reference to keep your timeline straight.
  • A gentle reminder of where you want the story to go.
  • Reminds you to build your character arc.
  • Track how your characters are feeling and the emotional goal to achieve in each scene.
  • Save time in coming up with ideas.

6 Story Outline Examples

The importance of an outline in telling a story cannot be overlooked. It keeps your head high and helps you have a better plan. Here are some story outline examples to give you motivation in writing your own:

Story Outline Example - House of Cards

House of Card is the story of a ruthless and ambitious politician, Frank Underwood. He uses all means possible, including betraying his friends and breaking the law to become a top political leader.

story-outline-examples-house-of-cards

The story starts with Frank being the House Majority Whip. The then President Garret Walker promises Frank that he will become Secretary of State if he supports him in the upcoming election. Unfortunately, Walker does not honor his promise after being elected. This prompts Frank to plot his revenge by manipulating people to orchestrate President Walker’s downfall. Eventually, Frank becomes the Vice President of the United States. With these major achievements, he starts crafting how he can become the President.

His efforts pay off, and he comes the president. However, this comes at a cost and he is not fully satisfied with the accomplishments. He has already sacrificed his soul and relationships. His major challenge is keeping his power and making sure he is always ahead of his enemies.

Story Outline Example - Stranger Things

Stranger Things is the story of a group of friends who are investigating the disappearance, Will Byers. The search uncovers a dark government conspiracy that involves supernatural forces.

story-outline-example-stranger-things

Will Byers is a young boy who disappears from his home in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana.   His friends, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas begin to investigate his disappearance.   Their investigations led them to discover that Will was transported to another dimension called the Upside Down. As more information emerges, they team up with Will's mother, Joyce, and the town's police chief, Jim Hopper in hopes of finding Will sooner.

The investigation reveals more about the Upside Down and the creatures that inhabit it. They also discover that the government is involved in a secret project that studies the Upside Down. The story follows the thrilling race by the friends in hopes of finding Will before it's too late.

Eventually, the friends find Will in the Upside Down. They are successful in defeating the Demogorgon, the main antagonist of the Upside Down and bring Will back to the real world.  

Story Outline Example - The Avengers

The Avengers is the story of the earth’s mightiest heroes. They must learn to fight as a team if they are to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.

story-outline-example-the-avengers

Loki has mischievously stolen the Tesseract, a powerful artifact, and is invading Earth. To protect the earth, the Avengers assemble to stop him and learn that Loki is working for Thanos, who is a powerful alien warlord. Thanos is threatening Loki to invade earth with the promise he will be given control over the planet if he becomes successful.  

The Avengers has to come to fight Loki and Thanos forces who have now invaded New York City. They eventually succeed and realize that they need to work together if they are to protect Earth from future threats. To keep this commitment, the Avengers, form a team that will defend the earth. They vow to protect the planet from all kinds of threats.

Short Story Outline Example - The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea is a story of an old Cuban fisherman, Santiago. He has gone 84 days without catching a fish and his only friend, Manolin, a young boy continues to bring him food and help prepare the gear. On the eighty-fifth day, Santiago decides to set out alone in his skiff and break his unlucky streak.

story-outline-example-the-old-man-and-the-sea

Santiago sails far out into the Gulf Stream, where he hooks a giant marlin. The fish is much larger and stronger than him and it drags him for three days and nights. Although Santiago fights the marlin with all his might, he is slowly worn down.

After the long fight with the marlin, Santiago finally reels it in and lashes it to the side of his boat. At this point, he is exhausted and battered. However, he breathes a sigh of relief for being victorious. He starts the long journey home, towing the marlin behind him. Unfortunately, the blood in the water attracts sharks that begin to circle the boat. He fights them off for hours, but he is overwhelmed.

Santiago arrives back at the shore with only the skeleton of the marlin remaining. He feels so disappointed in the outcome, but he is proud of his accomplishment. Manolin and the other fishermen gather around amazed by the size of the marlin's skeleton. They admire Santiago for his courage and determination.

Short Story Outline Example - Moon and Sixpence

In the Moon and Sixpence, a young successful businessman abandons his wife and child to become a painter in Paris. The story takes us through his struggles as a younger painter in foreign land and how he found his course, but ended dying early.

story-outline-example-moon-and-sixpence

Charles Strickland used to live as a wealthy banker in London. Despite being a successful young man, he is highly disappointed in life. Charles desires a new life where he can pursue his secret passion in art. He decides to leave his family behind and moves to Paris where he enrolls in arts schools. However, transitioning to the new land proves more difficult than expected. Charles struggled to find a footing in his new-found passion, but remains steadfast,

Eventually, he finds a style works for him. He created multiple artworks and became a successful painter. Unfortunately, he is still a solitary and enigmatic figure who ends up dying young age. Nonetheless, his paintings are considered masterpieces.

Novel Outline Example - The Necklace

story-outline-example-the-necklace

  • Mathilde Loisel, a middle-class woman, dreams of a luxurious lifestyle.
  • She is invited to a fancy party, but she has nothing to wear.
  • Her husband, Georges, gives her his savings to buy a new dress.
  • Mathilde also borrows a diamond necklace from her rich friend, Madame Forestier.
  • Mathilde has a wonderful time at the party, but she loses the necklace.
  • She and Georges frantically search for it, but they cannot find it.
  • Mathilde decides to replace the necklace with a new one, which costs them a fortune.
  • Mathilde and Georges work hard to pay off their debt.
  • They move to a shabby apartment and live a frugal life.
  • Mathilde becomes bitter and resentful.
  • One day, Mathilde meets Madame Forestier again.
  • Madame Forestier reveals that the necklace that Mathilde lost was fake.
  • Mathilde is shocked and ashamed.
  • Mathilde realizes the error of her ways.
  • She and Georges finally pay off their debt and return to their former lifestyle.
  • Mathilde is now grateful for what she has.
  • Mathilde and Georges live a happy and contented life.
  • Mathilde has learned the importance of appreciating what she has and not being materialistic.

How to Write High-quality Story Outlines

Every outline is unique, and depends on the story you want to give. You may write a summary and have a more detailed outline. You may also try the bookend method or Rand Ingermanson’s method to approach the craft. Whichever the approach, your outline should provide a basic feel of the story’s direction.

General Tips

Here are a few tips that will help you craft an effective story outline:

  • Map out the key scenes.
  • Add high-level details for each scene.
  • Get the sequence of events right.
  • Add an imagery or video.
  • Ask for feedback or ideas to improve the storyline.
  • Finalize your draft.

Use Boardmix

One of the easiest ways to craft a good outline for your story is to use Boardmix . The AI Assistant and mind mapping feature will make your story outline writing a simple task. Simply go to the AI Assistant on Boardmix , then click Generate mind map . After that, you'll get a complete outline of any stories. You can also create the outline starting from scratch, adding all the important elements using the provided tools on the left sidebar. Go ahead and create your own masterpiece!

boardmix

Join Boardmix to collaborate with your team.

A Full Guide to Gap Analysis Examples, Defination and Tools

A Full Guide to Gap Analysis Examples, Defination and Tools

Detailed Guide to Genogram Examples of Different Types

Detailed Guide to Genogram Examples of Different Types

McKinsey 7S Model Examples [6 Famous Companies]

McKinsey 7S Model Examples [6 Famous Companies]

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

Outline for Short Story

Introduction to outline for short story.

Outlining is timesaving and allows you to have a few sort of an avenue map—it gives you the freedom to unleash your artistic genius in preference to pen down an interesting tale itself. You must have written some poetry or story sometime but that would be without outlining it. Outlining helps you to write in a better way.

As you already know the importance of story writing. It helps children to gain the ability to organise their thoughts and utilise written language to convey their ideas in a variety of ways by creating and writing a story.

Now the question arises why outline is needed for writing a story? The answer is your outline provides you a rough idea of the direction of your story as well as the main conflicts and tensions that will make it interesting for readers, in addition to outlining characters and plot elements for story structure.

Thus, you will get to know all the processes included in outlining one by one in this article. Let’s begin!

Pick an Urgent Problem

Design an issue that should be addressed soon to keep something terrible from occurring. How awful this outcome should have relied upon the kind of story you need to tell. An issue that could bring about individuals passing on will make an intriguing story, while an issue that could put somebody in a horrible mood will make a more private story. What's significant is that your perusers comprehend this result is unfortunate and that to forestall it, somebody should get right on that.

Outline For The Short Story

Outline For The Short Story

Since you're composing a brief tale, the issue ought to likewise be little in scope. That implies it very well may be tackled by solitary individuals for several hours for two or three weeks. Slender down who or what is impacted until being handled in a modest bunch of scenes is sufficiently explicit.

Make a Character to Solve It

Then, you really want a superstar. Make a primary person to tackle the issue from the last step. You need a person who has the most compelling motivation to think often about the issue and who is very much positioned to settle it. For the most part that implies the person should be near the issue.

Assuming somebody will be desolate on their birthday, it's them.

In the event that a home may be obliterated, it's their home.

On the off chance that somebody may be eaten by a beast, it's likewise them.

On the off chance that a dissident base will be found, they're a revolutionary.

Including a friend or family member typically works as well. Perhaps their dad could be eaten by a beast or a closest companion who will be desolate on their birthday. On the off chance that your story is about a superhuman who needs to protect regular citizens, consider including somebody they care about among the regular citizens. This will give the story more profound weight.

How To Write An Outline

How To Write An Outline

Then, at that point, ensure your personality has what it should be an issue solver. While it's not difficult to have a little youngster forestall the entry of a terrible regulation in parliament, it will surely take greater imagination.

Then again, a revolutionary covert operative who can take care of bogus data for the harsh government is very much positioned to hold different radicals back from being found. You could give your personality proficient abilities or official obligation regarding deflecting debacle.

In the event that you experience difficulty making an individual with a conceivable possibility of taking care of the issue in a couple of hours to half a month, your concern may be too enormous in scope.

Give Your Character a Plan

When your pursuers know who your primary person is and comprehend the issue they face, now is the right time to push the story ahead. That's what to do, your personality ought to concoct an arrangement to tackle the issue. Tell your perusers it.

The arrangement can be straightforward, yet don't allow perusers to figure it will be not difficult to pull off. That could mean:

Your personality should compete to finish the arrangement before the issue goes crazy.

The arrangement accompanies a gamble of misfiring or represents another risk.

Your personality promptly runs into an obstruction depicted in sync 4, underneath.

The arrangement doesn't really need to work eventually. What makes a difference is that the principal character has a valid justification for accepting it will work, and that seeking after it eventually steers them in the correct heading.

Portray a Few Obstacles

In establishing their arrangement, your principal character should move beyond a couple of hindrances. The number of impediments you put in relies upon the length you believe that your story should be, yet one to three is a decent reach. After the battle with an impediment, your primary person should be nearer to taking care of the issue, yet the issue should feel harder to address than previously.

Carry Events to a Head

It's the ideal opportunity for your peak. Carry your primary person to the cusp of tackling the issue, however at that point make what is happening as critical as it can get while yet leaving the likelihood that your fundamental person can turn it around.

In this article outline for a short story is discussed with a few important points like important characteristics for writing a story. Use the power of imagination to build a good plot. Keenly assembling hints and having an acknowledgment. Showing fortitude or extraordinary resolution even with dread or allurement in the context of story. Making a troublesome penance (the act of punishment or punishing oneself) in it. Exhibiting uncommon benevolence or generosity.

FAQs on Outline for Short Story

1. Do You Need to Outline a Short Story?

Framing empowers you to effectively compose a brief tale. Brief tale composing is more restricted in scope than novel composition, however, it actually includes a large number of the components you'd see in an extraordinary book: a convincing fundamental person with an unmistakable perspective, a person bends, a couple of plot focuses to moor the story and a wonderful consummation. A blueprint guarantees you have these pieces set up from the get-go in the creative cycle.

2. Is this scene fundamental?

Watch out for scenes that are excess. Is your primary person attempting to get exactly the same thing similarly again and again? Perusers anticipate that characters should develop and learn with every scene. They ought to be seeking after their cravings by attempting things that are new and unique. Assuming you have two scenes that vibe practically the same, cut one.

IMAGES

  1. Short Story Outline Template

    sample of short story outline

  2. 46 Best Story Outline Templates (Novel, Book & Plot) ᐅ TemplateLab

    sample of short story outline

  3. 3+ Short Story Outline Templates

    sample of short story outline

  4. Short Story Outline Template

    sample of short story outline

  5. 46 Best Story Outline Templates (Novel, Book & Plot) ᐅ TemplateLab

    sample of short story outline

  6. 46 Best Story Outline Templates (Novel, Book & Plot) ᐅ TemplateLab

    sample of short story outline

VIDEO

  1. Art of Conducting

  2. Sample Short/Reel

  3. Sample Short Video edit

  4. sample short videon

  5. Sample short video 5

  6. Storytelling Class

COMMENTS

  1. How to Outline a Short Story [Template Included]

    1. A Situation and Conflict: the state of affairs—the beginning of the story—that either changes for the better or takes a very bad turn (usually, it's the latter). As the story progresses, it has to have a conflict.

  2. How to Outline a Short Story in 4 Steps

    1. A problem: What is the key conflict that will drive your narrative? Whatever you choose must be compelling enough to anchor your entire plot structure. If your main conflict can't hold your reader's attention through the short story, you need to either expand the conflict or shorten the story. 2.

  3. How to Write a Story Outline Step-by-Step

    To write a short story or novel outline with a themes-based approach, you want to consider how the events of the story advance its ideas and themes. This approach works best if you have an idea of what you want your story to explore, though some writers need to figure it out as they write. Consider how the events of the story advance its ideas ...

  4. How to Write a Short Story Outline

    Step 1. Summarize your short story. Whether you have a small, seemingly uneventful short story idea or fully developed character arc, you'll want to first begin by summarizing your short story. This can be by just talking about what you want to happen in your short story or to actually discuss the narrative from start to finish.

  5. 24 FREE Story Outline Templates and Examples (Novel, Book, Plot)

    Step 1: Write a Premise The premise of your story is a short summary - 1 to 3 sentences long - explaining what will happen in the story. It should identify the location, characters, and conflict. Additionally, it should mention what makes your story worth reading. Step 2: Introduce the Characters

  6. How to Write a Story Outline (Steps & Examples)

    A story outline can be as long or as short as you need it to be. You might want to have basically a summarized draft ready before you write, or you might only want the biggest plot points outlined. ... Story outline examples. There are about as many story outline templates as there are writers, but here are a few examples to get you started ...

  7. 46 Best Story Outline Templates (Novel, Book & Plot)

    The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Hobbit, and even The Catcher in the Rye are some of the best examples. Overcoming the enemy ... Following are the steps to help you create a short story outline template: Choose the protagonist of your story This, of course, is the story's main character on which all of the interesting stuff in the story ...

  8. How To Write A Short Story Outline—Get It Done In 4 Easy Steps

    June 24, 2022 If you've got a short story idea but don't know how to put it together in one literary piece, this article can help you get started. Below we'll offer some essential tips on how to write a short story outline. We'll also examine why an outline is so helpful for crafting stories that engage and hook readers.

  9. Outline a Short Story in Seven Steps

    Chris Winkle Image by Shutterstock In 2015, I created a simple plot formula for short stories. Instead of trying to make it broad enough to work for any story, I focused on making it easy to use. Rather than creating a grand formula targeted at novelists, I designed it for short works.

  10. How To Outline A Short Story

    by Amanda Patterson Top Tip: If you want to improve your story, buy this workbook: How To Show And Not Tell In Short Stories . Short Cuts, Posted on: 21st December 2014 Use this short story template from Writers Write, your one-stop writing resource, to help you outline and write your story.

  11. How to Write a Story Outline that Works [FREE Script Outline Template]

    I f you want to write a script, and finish it, story outlines are helpful. Why? Because once you have waded even knee-deep into the writing, it's easy to lose sight of things. Even worse? Predators named fear and self-doubt will be stalking you. Yet, there is a tool that can spare you this fate.

  12. How to Write a Compelling Story Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Then expand it into a paragraph, adding the characters and the narrative arc. Proceed to create character summaries and gradually build the summaries into full character profiles. Create a list of the major scenes and organize them into a logical sequence. Then write a paragraph describing each scene.

  13. How to Write a Short Story: Your Ultimate Step-by Step Guide

    1 - You learn the skill of showing. Short story writers have a challenge that requires some patience to overcome, but it's worth it. When you only have a few pages to hook readers, paint a clear picture of the main character, and tell a story, you end up mastering the skill of showing instead of telling.

  14. How To Outline a Story in 2023 (Step-by-Step Guide)

    1) Start with your premise. 2) Identify major plot elements. 3) Get to know your characters. 4) Explore your settings. 5) Think about your theme. 6) Choose your outlining method. 7) Create your outline. 8) Troubleshoot your outline. 9) Starting writing! Story Outline Methods and Examples 1) Snowflake Method 2) Save the Cat Method

  15. PDF SHORT STORY A CONDENSED

    SHORT STORY OUTLINING TEMPLATE Create the Premise A premise is basically the idea from which your story springs. Make sure that your premise is well defined and more than the basic idea. Describe Setting In this part, describe the environment within which your story takes place. Place/Location, weather, time, atmosphere/aura/mood. Come up with

  16. How to Write a Short Story: Tips, Definitions, and Examples

    The best storytellers can sum up their story in one or two sentences. Think of your story through this angle and write a short summary before you start writing. Step 3. Outline your story. Although a short story outline will obviously be simpler than that of a novel, don't underestimate the power of writing an outline.

  17. Free Story Outline Examples (Novel, Book & Plot)

    Example 1: Harry Potter It is an adaptation of the book written by J.K. Rowling's blockbuster children's novels about Harry Potter, a young boy who discovers on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two great wizards and has his magical abilities.

  18. Short Story Outline Template

    Short Story Outline Template - 7+ Worksheets for Word, PDF Format Crafting a short story can be a daunting task. In many respects, it poses more challenges than writing a full-length novel.

  19. How to Outline a Novel in 9 Easy Steps

    At the heart of almost every story is a main character who goes on a journey from Point A to Point B. This journey can be emotional, physical, or both. Your protagonist might travel to new lands; learn, change and grow as a person; or do all of those things. For this first outline, choose one main character. Remember, this can always change later.

  20. How To Write A Plot Outline For A Novel (With Examples)

    7 Steps To Writing A Plot Outline For Your Novel: Understand the purpose of your outline. Start with a barebones outline. Add a midpoint. Have a firm sense of purpose. Integrate your characters. Complete your outline.

  21. [Detailed] 6 Story Outline Examples You Should Never Miss

    In this article, we define what a story outline is and provide 6 short story outline examples to give you a better understanding of this concept. Let's get started. What Is a Story Outline. A story outline is also referred to as a road map. This is a file with crucial planning information on the storyline, structure, events, characters ...

  22. Outline a Short Story for Kids

    Summary. In this article outline for a short story is discussed with a few important points like important characteristics for writing a story. Use the power of imagination to build a good plot. Keenly assembling hints and having an acknowledgment. Showing fortitude or extraordinary resolution even with dread or allurement in the context of story.

  23. Story Writing for Class 8 CBSE Format, Topics Exercises, and Examples

    1. Characters A short story has few characters. 2. Setting Time frame and place constitute setting of short stories. 3. Plot As simple and as interesting as possible. 4. Conflict It is the struggle between two sides of the theme of the story. Conflict can be between characters, emotions, beliefs or thoughts. It gives life to short stories. 5.