Thread Academy

Beginning, Middle, End

Learn that every story has a beginning, a middle and an ending.

  • Define and explain Beginning, Middle, End in your own words
  • Use key terms such as problem accurately
  • Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
  • Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

This lesson focuses on Beginning, Middle, End: learn that every story has a beginning, a middle and an ending.

Definition: Beginning, Middle, End

Learn that every story has a beginning, a middle and an ending.

Key ideas

Stories follow a pattern

Most stories introduce a character and a setting, then something goes wrong in the middle, and the ending sorts it out. Spotting this beginning-middle-end pattern helps you remember stories and tell your own.

Listening is a skill

Good listeners sit still, look at the storyteller and keep the story in their heads. You can show you are listening by joining in with repeated phrases, such as roaring along with the giant. Listening well is the first step to understanding stories.

Key term — problem: The trouble the character faces in the middle of the story. The problem is what makes a story exciting.

Worked example: Beginning, Middle, End

What is the problem in the middle of the story?

The duckling wanders away and feels lost and lonely.

Answer: The duckling wanders away and feels lost and lonely.

Common mistakes
  • Only remembering the ending Practise saying one thing about the beginning and one thing about the middle before you reach the end.
  • Telling events out of order Use the words first, then and finally to keep the beginning, middle and end in the right order.

Practice

Which word helps you start telling the beginning of a story?
It means at the start.

First.

Where does the story begin?
Look at the first sentence.

At the pond.

How does the ending make the duckling feel?
Think about the hug.

Happy and safe, because it is home with its mother.

Who is the main character in The Lost Duckling?
Who is the story about?

The little duckling.

Quick check

Beginning, Middle, End — quick check

Which of these best defines "problem"?

The trouble the character faces in the middle of the story. The problem is what makes a story exciting.

Put these in order: the frog helps, the duckling wanders off, mother hugs the duckling.

The duckling wanders off, the frog helps, mother hugs the duckling.
Key takeaways
  • Beginning, Middle, End: learn that every story has a beginning, a middle and an ending.
  • Stories follow a pattern: Most stories introduce a character and a setting, then something goes wrong in the middle, and the ending sorts it out.
  • ending: How the story finishes.
  • Watch out for: only remembering the ending
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