📖 ReadingLevel 1Lesson 11
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Beginning, Middle, and End

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What you will learn

  • 1Identify the beginning of a story — where characters and setting are introduced
  • 2Identify the middle of a story — where the main problem or event happens
  • 3Identify the end of a story — where the problem is solved or the story wraps up
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Mini Lesson

Every story — no matter how short or long — is built in three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end. When you can find these three parts, you understand the whole shape of the story.

Beginning — "Set up"

  • Introduces the main character and the setting.
  • Shows us what life is like before the problem happens.
  • Usually answers: Who? Where? When?
  • Signal words: Once upon a time… / One day… / In the beginning…

Middle — "Problem or event"

  • Something happens — a problem, a challenge, an adventure.
  • The main character tries to deal with it.
  • This is usually the longest part — it is the exciting part!
  • Signal words: Then… / Next… / After that… / Suddenly…

End — "Solution or wrap-up"

  • The problem is solved, or the story comes to a close.
  • Shows us what life is like after everything happened.
  • Signal words: Finally… / In the end… / At last…

Words to know

Beginning

The set-up of a story — where the main character and setting are introduced

e.g. One day, Lily went to the park with her red kite.

Middle

The part where the main problem or event happens — usually the longest part

e.g. A gust of wind pulled the kite string from her hand.

End

The part where the problem is solved or the story wraps up

e.g. Finally, Lily climbed up and pulled the kite free.

Three panels showing the beginning, middle and end of a storyThree connected panels — the first shows a sunrise with a character starting out, the second shows the character facing a problem, the third shows a resolution. Arrows connect the panels in order.Beginning → Middle → EndBeginning!MiddleEndSet up → Problem → Solution
Three panels — set up, problem, solution — connected in order.
Story mountain with beginning, middle, and endA mountain-shaped arc. The left starting point is labeled Beginning, the peak in the middle is labeled Middle, and the right ending point is labeled End.The Story MountainBMEBeginningMiddleEndOne day…Then… Next…Finally…
Story mountain — start, peak, and close.
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Ask yourself: "What happened first? What was the big event? How did it end?"

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← Lesson 10: Main Characters and SettingLesson 12: What Happens Next? →