A Complete Guide to Six-Word Stories (With 66 Funny & Heartfelt Examples)

Download an article plus the meaning and origin of the invention of Hemingway with six words

This article is the author writer Wikihow staff, Sophie Burkholder, Ba. Sophie Burkholder graduated from the University of Boston in 2020 with a double diploma from Spanish and modern education in a foreign language. For three years, Sophie worked as a teacher in the classroom and sought to stimulate the love of learning and self-deduction of her students. For the same purpose, but the new audience, she now writes for a content team in Wikihow. It passionately gives readers the necessary tools for any goal, big or small. This article states 8 references that can be found at the bottom of the page. This article is a proven fact, ensuring the accuracy of all the facts cited and confirming the powers of its sources. Find out more …

Six words stories are exactly what they sound: a complete and impressive narrative told in just six words (no more and less!). For example, it could be written: “Insecurity has led to Wikihow – the problem has been solved.” That’s our favorite, but we’re probably biased. Don’t worry, we will give many more examples of funny, emotional and famous six-word stories in the guide below and a simple list of steps to write one of your own. In addition, we interviewed the author and editor of the development of Lydia Stevens for the professional tips on improving your writing and vocabulary skills.

The story of 6 words speaks a complete narrative in exactly 6 words. The most famous example is “for sale: children’s shoes, never carried,” allegedly written by Ernest Hemingway. To write your own, come up with a plot (including a conflict and a resolution) that can be summed up in 6 words to convey a related theme or message.

1. 

   Decide which topic and mood you want your story to convey. Hemingway’s classic six -word story about sadness affects a melancholy tone. You can do something similar to the theme that is emotionally influential – like love, death, dreams or friendship. However, you can look for a light and even funny six -word story, as long as you can pack punchline in six words or less! You may already have an idea for a narrative of your story – if not, take some time to think about ideas or read some examples of the story to get inspiration.[8]

   • If you need more information, Stevens recommends that you look at any art or the world around you. Listen to music, go out in nature or explore a new neighborhood.
   • Stevens alone shares to do “puzzles with a fantastic topic, another form of art. There is a visual one that [she] It can get out of creating new stories and characters. ”

2. Write a rough draft with complete narrative port. What makes a six -word story a story is that it follows the same whole structure as a short story or novel. So, your story should establish a topic, present a conflict and end with a sense of resolution (even if that resolution is open to interpretation). You may feel that a six -word story does not need a big moment of conflict, but the more conflict you can include (or mean) in your story, the more you will attract attention, the Stevens comments. Make sure you include the subject, followed by a verb to give the story action and movement.[9]

   • When you first write down your narrative onion, don’t worry so much about the number of words-just write down your overall story (but try to keep it on 12-15 words or less).

3. Reduce your story to the most intectural and meaningful words. Now that you have a rough outline of the narrative arch of your story, it’s time to filter some words and condens it in exactly six words. With so few words, it is extremely important to choose strong words that have the purpose and meaning and that serve to drive your story.[10]

   • If you struggle with this aspect, go to the word and ask yourself:
     • What is the purpose of the word in the story?
     • What emotion or image are this word evoke? Is this emotion or image absolutely needed for my story?
     • Does this word have a similar purpose or meaning as another word in my story?
   • If you want to improve yourself with a strong choice of words in general, consider trying to improve vocabulary. “Reading is the number one way to improve your vocabulary,” Stevens claims. “Readers make the best writers.”
   • Stevens also recommends that it often advises with physical or internet weightsurus, as well as “attend a linguistic class … If you have the means. It is very cool to find out how words are assembled, how they are created, which are involved in official dictionaries.

4. Use contractions and interpunction to shorten the number of words. Adjusting the grammar and structure of your song can help you cheat on certain charging words that you don’t really need. Look for any possibilities in which a few words can be turned into contraction: for example, “must not be” → “should not”, “you could not have” → “you could not”, “she has” or “she is” → “she is.” Similarly, try to replace all the brides (eg “and” “but,” “or”) with interpunction markings, columns or EM cartoons ( -).[11]

5. Invite the reader to draw your own conclusions about your story. Although you can certainly evoke strong emotions in just six words, your reader will still be wonders about the exact details or the meaning of the story. Take advantage of this natural intrigue to attract your reader. Allow certain things to remain unspoken, as long as it can be reasonably concluded from the words involved in your final draft. Have your readers fill the blanks of a larger plot of the story.[12]

   • For example, Hemingway’s six words (“for sale: children’s shoes, never worn”) describe a pair of shoes purchased for the baby but have never been worn out, which implies that the child has passed away. However, the reader was left to think about how the child died, which bought the shoes, or if the baby died at all – maybe the shoes were only out of style!
6. 

   If desired, send your story to popular websites and publications. After completing the touch to your unique story, consider sending it to a site or forum dedicated to this type of writing. Publish your six -word story on Tumblr or Reddit or send it to a site or magazine like a narrative, a six -word memoir or wiring.[13]

   Expert advice

   Meleless Sargent

   Professional writer Meles Sargent is President Scripteriter Network, a non-profit organization that brings professionals for entertainment to teach the arts and business of writing scenario for TV, features and new media. The network serves its members by providing educational programming, approaching and options through alliances with professionals in the industry and improving the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry. Under Meles leadership, SWW won awards for numbers, including the Los Angeles Award from 2014 to 2021, and the award for innovation and excellence in 2020. Meleless sargent professional writer

   Continue writing to improve your skills. You can learn and improve your creative writing skills by challenging yourself with new projects and using your imagination. If you hear or see something that is interesting to you, try to write a story about what is different from the way you heard it or saw it.

Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education