4 Story Completion
Understanding the Format
In this section of the writing program you will write a variety of stories. But
you do not have to make up the entire story. Parts of it are provided. You fill in
the missing phrases that make sense in the sentence and that follow the story
line. Although the story conforms to a certain idea, you can be creative and give
the details that put your personal touch on the story.
This kind of exercise will give you the practice you need for the time when
you eventually write a complete story on your own.
Study the story in each exercise, and take note of the missing phrases. Cer-
tain words will give you a signal as to what kind of word or phrase you should
write. A conjunction, for example, tells you to add a word, phrase, or sentence.
Quotation marks tell you that someone is making a direct statement. Preposi-
tions require an object after them.
You should fill in appropriate phrases that conform to the plot of the story
and the grammar of the sentence. Be careful of tenses and spelling. Follow the
same directions for each story in this chapter. If you are not satisfied with your
version of the story, check the suggested completions in the Answer Key.
Completing Stories with Original Phrases
Exercise 4.1 Travel Plans.The story line: John and Mary can’t agree on where
they should take their vacation. They share their personal preferences and try
to persuade each other. They worry that they can’t afford a vacation, but John
has a surprise. He has saved some extra money.
John and Mary wanted to take a vacation. They had worked hardall year and. But where115