| Genealogy and family history are popular today. | | | | 3. Rising Action |
| Maybe it is because there are so many baby | | | | Now start telling the events of the story. The |
| boomers reaching middle age and realizing the | | | | action and suspense should build. |
| importance of preserving their heritage. | | | | 4. Climax |
| I have had the privilege of hearing many family | | | | What is the high point of the story? What is the |
| stories from my grandmother, mother, and uncle. | | | | main event of the story? Make sure you |
| In the past few years, I decided to write them | | | | elaborate on this. Use details to graphically |
| down and keep them in a binder. In the future, I | | | | describe this event. |
| may publish them in a book, not to be sold, but | | | | 5. Falling Action |
| just for my children and future grandchildren. | | | | The main event has happened. Now wind the |
| How can we make these stories interesting, and | | | | story down. |
| not just dry accounts of the events? One | | | | 6. Resolution |
| method I have tried to use is Freytag's Pyramid. | | | | How did it end? What lesson was learned? How |
| Many teachers use this to show students how to | | | | did your family member grow or change because |
| structure a short story. Pick one event and set it | | | | of this event? |
| up in this way: | | | | Now you have the basic structure for your family |
| 1. Exposition | | | | story. Take these notes you have jotted down |
| Set the scene. Tell who the characters are, | | | | and write them into a narrative. |
| where and when it takes place, and give a little | | | | If you want to, you can start collecting these |
| background information. | | | | stories and putting them in a three-ring binder. |
| 2. Inciting Incident | | | | You will be preserving your family heritage as a |
| What happened to begin the story? What event | | | | treasured heirloom. |
| begins the action? | | | | |