Give the story your twist!
Rewrite a favorite short story to change its ending, then create an illustrated alternate ending or comic strip to explore cause and effect.
About this activity
Rewrite a favorite short story to change its ending, then create an illustrated alternate ending or comic strip to explore cause and effect.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick a favorite short story and read its original ending.
- 2
Step 2
On a sheet of paper write the main events that happen in the original ending.
- 3
Step 3
Circle one decision or event in that list that you want to change.
- 4
Step 4
Decide what new choice or event you will make happen instead.
- 5
Step 5
Write a short outline of your alternate ending in three to six sentences focusing on causes and effects.
- 6
Step 6
Choose whether you will make a single illustrated page or a comic strip with panels.
- 7
Step 7
Lightly draw the layout of your page or comic panels using your pencil and ruler.
- 8
Step 8
Sketch each scene in the panels to show the new cause-and-effect events.
- 9
Step 9
Add simple dialogue or captions that explain why things happen in your new ending.
- 10
Step 10
Ink over your pencil lines with a black pen or fine-liner to make them bold.
- 11
Step 11
Color your drawings using your coloring materials.
- 12
Step 12
Write one sentence that compares the original ending and your new ending to show the difference.
- 13
Step 13
Add a title and sign your name on your finished piece.
- 14
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I run the 'Give the story your twist!' activity with my child?
To run 'Give the story your twist!', first read the chosen short story together and identify the original ending. Discuss motivations and cause-and-effect chains. Ask the child to brainstorm different endings and choose one to rewrite. Have them outline or storyboard the new ending as a comic strip, showing actions that lead to the new outcome. Then write the alternate text, draw panels or illustrations, and share the finished piece aloud or display it.
What materials do I need for the 'Give the story your twist!' activity?
You'll need the short story (book or printout), paper or blank comic-strip templates, pencils, erasers, colored pencils or markers, ruler, sticky notes for planning, index cards for sequencing, scissors and glue for collages, and optional tablets or simple drawing apps for digital comics. Also have a quiet workspace and a timer if you want short sessions. For younger kids, provide stickers and pre-drawn panel frames to simplify drawing.
What ages is the 'Give the story your twist!' activity suitable for?
This activity suits ages about 5–14 with adjustments: ages 5–7 enjoy guided rewrites and drawing with adult help and single-panel endings; 8–10 can write short alternate endings and create multi-panel comics to show cause and effect; 11–14 can develop more sophisticated plot twists, character motives, and detailed comic sequences. Adapt by simplifying prompts, offering templates, or encouraging typed drafts. Monitor difficulty and offer support with writing or drawing tools.
What are the benefits of doing the 'Give the story your twist!' activity?
This activity strengthens comprehension, sequencing, and cause-and-effect reasoning by asking children to change outcomes and justify why events lead to new endings. It builds creative writing skills, narrative structure awareness, and visual storytelling when they make comics or illustrations. It also boosts empathy by exploring characters’ choices and fosters confidence through authoring their own stories. Sharing finished work develops communication skills and pride.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of a black pen or fine-liner if we don't have one?
If you don't have a black pen or fine-liner for inking in Step 11, use a thin-tipped permanent marker or carefully retrace your lines with a darker, well-sharpened pencil and test on scrap paper before inking over your pencil lines.
My panels look crowded or my drawings look messy—how do I fix that?
Redo the light layout from Step 6 using your pencil and ruler to resize panels, simplify each sketch in Step 9 to focus on the new cause-and-effect events, and only ink (Step 11) once you're satisfied so lines stay clean.
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For younger kids, shorten Steps 3–5 to pick one event and write a one-sentence alternate ending with a single illustrated page and large panels, while older kids can expand Step 4 into a longer outline, add more panels in Step 6, and include detailed dialogue in Step 9.
How can we make the finished project more special or advanced?
Create a two-page spread showing the original ending's main events from Step 2 on one page and your alternate panels from Steps 6–9 on the other, experiment with mixed-media coloring materials, and then share both pages on DIY.org.