Instructify

BY KEVIN HODGSON

My StoryMaker is the perfect tool for younger students just learning about plot design and character development for short stories. Hosted by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, My StoryMaker walks students through the process of story creation using a variety of online tools.

My StoryMaker requires no login other than a first name. Kids choose a main character from a limited menu of possibilities, pick what they want that character to be doing (on a rescue mission? Finding love?) and then designate which secondary character is also involved in the story. These steps are laid out in a very basic, easy-to-use method. The story editor then launches and, in a nice touch, there is an audio tutorial matching up with the text tutorial on the next steps.

The book creator gives kids some freedom in choosing scenery and props without giving them so many choices as to make the task unwieldy. The story is developed over a series of pages, and there are options when it comes to the character in the scene, such as choosing an emotion or action.

A script box at the bottom of the page provides a space for writing. In addition, as students choose elements of the scene, they get written” into the script. So, if you decide your character is mad, the site writes that out for you (which you can edit out, if you don’t need that description). Dialogue boxes can also be inserted into the scene.

When the story is complete, the story gets archived at the site for a month (an archive code is given to the writer, allowing him or her to return to My StoryMaker to view or share the story) and users have the option of printing the story out.

In the Classroom

The interface of My StoryMaker makes it a good fit for younger elementary students. The easy instructions (plus audio helper) and pleasing interface is sure to engage emerging writers. Teachers could easily integrate the basic elements of plot into a lesson that features My Storymaker as the means for students to demonstrate knowledge about story construction.

My StoryMaker

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