How to write a spooky story: tips for English language students

Sam Colley
placeholder
Reading time: 4 minutes

How to write a spooky story: tips and tricks for English language students

Halloween is the perfect time to let your imagination run wild and create a spooky story that will send shivers down your readers' spines. If you're a student learning English, or an ESL teacher hoping to inspire and enthuse your students, writing a Halloween-themed story can be a fun way to practice your English skills. In this blog, we'll guide you through the process of writing a spooky story step by step, from brainstorming ideas to polishing your final draft. Let's get started!

Tips for writing a spooky story
Reproducir
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ÃÛÌÒapp can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Step 1: Brainstorming ideas

Before you start writing, take some time to brainstorm ideas for your story. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

  1. Think about classic Halloween themes: Ghosts, haunted houses, witches, vampires and zombies are all great starting points.
  2. Consider the setting: Where will your story take place? A dark forest, an abandoned mansion, or a creepy graveyard can all provide a spooky atmosphere.
  3. Create a protagonist: Who is your main character? Are they a brave hero, a curious child, or someone who accidentally stumbles into a terrifying situation?
  4. Develop a plot: What is the main conflict or problem in your story? How will your protagonist try to solve it? What obstacles will they face?


Step 2: Building your vocabulary

To make your story truly spooky, you'll need to use descriptive language that creates a sense of fear and suspense. Here are some useful words and phrases to include:

  • Adjectives: eerie, haunted, shadowy, sinister, chilling, ghastly, macabre, terrifying
  • Verbs: creak, howl, whisper, shiver, lurk, haunt, vanish, scream
  • Nouns: ghost, phantom, specter, darkness, fog, grave, curse, nightmare


Step 3: Structuring your story

A well-structured story will keep your readers engaged from beginning to end. Here's a simple structure to follow:

  1. Introduction: Introduce your main character and setting. Give a hint of the spooky events to come.
  2. Rising action: Build suspense by describing strange or frightening events that happen to your protagonist.
  3. Climax: The most intense and scary part of your story. This is where your protagonist faces the main conflict or danger.
  4. Falling action: Show the aftermath of the climax. How does your protagonist react? What happens next.
  5. Conclusion: Wrap up your story. Did your protagonist escape the danger? Is there a twist to the ending?

Ìý

Step 4: Writing your first draft

Now that you have your ideas, vocabulary and structure, it's time to start writing. Don't worry about making it perfect on the first try. Just focus on getting your ideas down on paper. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Use descriptive language: Paint a vivid picture in your readers' minds by using sensory details –sight, sound, smell, touch, taste.
  • Show, don't tell: Instead of saying "It was scary," describe what makes it scary e.g., "The old house creaked and groaned as if it were alive and a cold breeze sent shivers down my spine".
  • Keep the suspense: Reveal information slowly to keep your readers on edge. Use cliffhangers at the end of paragraphs or chapters to maintain tension.


Step 5: Revising and editing

Once you've written your first draft, take a break and then come back to it with fresh eyes. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you revise and review:

  • Is the story clear and easy to follow?
  • Are the characters well-developed and believable?
  • Is the setting vividly described?
  • Does the plot build suspense and keep the reader engaged?
  • Are there any grammar or spelling mistakes?


Step 6: Sharing your story

After revising and editing your story, it's time to share it with others. You can read it aloud to friends or family, or even share it in your ESL class. Getting feedback from others can help you improve your writing and gain confidence.


Final thoughts

Writing a spooky story can be a thrilling and rewarding experience, especially for ESL students. By following these steps and using descriptive language, you can create a Halloween-themed story that will captivate your readers. So grab a pen, let your imagination run wild, and get ready to scare.
Happy Halloween and happy writing.
Ìý

If you'd like to see some more hints and tips on how to improve your English language writing, why not take a look at our blogs on 'Creative writing exercises for English language learners' and 'Mastering English with fun and effective exercises'.

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • A classroom with students sat at desks and one student stood at the front with the teacher

    Forward-looking reflective teaching

    Por Ehsan Gorji

    Ehsan Gorji is an Iranian teacher, teacher trainer and teacher educator. He also designs strategic plans, devises study syllabuses, runs quality-check observations, and develops materials and tests for different language institutes and schools in the country. Ehsan has been a GSE Thought Leader and Expert Rater since 2016.Ìý

    Reflective teaching, despite it sounding modern and sophisticated, has not yet become a common practice among English language teachers. However, the experientialÌýÌýproposed byÌýÌýoffers a practical approach for teachers. The cycle involves teaching a lesson, reflecting on "what we did" and "how we did them," and then using that reflection to improve future English classes. By using this approach, teachers can prepare for better teaching in the long term.

  • Children walking in a neighbourhood wearing costumes

    10 creepy cryptids you should know about

    Por

    Cryptids are creatures that are often unseen and mysterious. They are shrouded in legends and stories that have been passed down for generations, making them a fascination for humans for centuries. If you're looking to add a little more creativity to your story writing, learning about these elusive beings can be a great way to do so. In today's post, we'll take a closer look at some examples of cryptids, to get your imagination racing.

    What are cryptids?

    Cryptids are mythical creatures or beings whose existence cannot be proven by science. Some may claim to have seen them but there's usually no solid proof of the encounter. They exist in folklore, mythology and urban legends. Cryptids can be found in cultures all around the world, from the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland to the in Latin America.

    Here are ten cryptids you'll want to learn about this Halloween:

    Barghest

    The Barghest is a ghostly black dog cryptid that appears in the folklore of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is often associated with misfortune, and sightings of this ominous creature continue to be reported.

    Owlman

    The Owlman is a humanoid creature with owl-like features such as red eyes, wings and feathers. Sightings of this mysterious creature have been reported around the village of Mawnan Smith in Cornwall, adding an eerie twist to local legend.

    The Kraken

    The Kraken is a legendary sea monster of gigantic size and octopus-like appearance, said to dwell in the deep sea and feasting on ships that are unfortunate enough to come across it.Ìý

  • A girl in a costume running up the stairs to the front door of a house that is covered in Halloween decorations

    Eerie English idioms and phrases

    Por

    As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, it's not only the ghosts and ghouls that come out to play. Halloween may happen only once a year, but learning about spooky idioms and phrases can add an exciting twist to your language journey throughout the year. So, grab your torch and let's delve in.