The notes of Picture Story at ISSB may also be read along with the notes below to understand the story writing concepts at ISSB.
How Pointer Story Writing Differs from Picture Story
Basic concepts of story writing apply equally to pointer story as well as the picture story with following differences in implementation:-
- In picture story there are normally greater situational details in terms of appearance of the character and surroundings. The pointer story on the other hand, has just an opening sentence, leaving rest to the imagination of the writer.
- The pointer story provides relatively more options for the incidents after the sentence.
- In picture story, its easy to describe characters and hero at the outset. In the pointer story, however, since the flow of the story has already been set in the opening sentence, the characters may have to be defined in the later sentences.
Also read, Guidelines for Picture Story as these apply equally to writing of the pointer story as well.
- Remember, you are not giving a one-two liner answer to a question or fill in the blanks, you are writing a 'story'.
- Read the given sentence carefully and think of couple of options to take it forward.
- Try to think and relate it to a happening in your family member /friend, because that idea will help you in writing.
- Start from the last word of the given pointer story maintaining continuity between incomplete sentence and your written complete story.
- The given sentences provide a brief description of a dramatic accident (unfinished plot) around which a STORY is to be developed of your choice.
- Each situation involves a conflict about: health, family, social and friendship relations, opposite sex, religious and moral beliefs etc. NOTE: that you have to resolve the conflict.
- A story without a twist / turn or without a challenge (and overcoming it) doesn't create impact.
- Be involved and realistic. Most candidates just try to write theoretical things as if its a text book test. Its a personality test in which you have to express your know-how of life i.e. how problems emerge in life, the difficulties in resolve them and how best these can be resolved.
- Most candidate have incorrect fixed ideas (e.g. must stay positive etc). This is incorrect. Be natural, involved and original. Try to be smart to portray yourself as good, doesn't help. Are you not a good person? If yes, Be what you are.
- Instead of using such sentences as, "he worked hard and resolved the problem", narrate happenings and problems as these happen in real life and then resolve (showing you understand that what is meant by hard work).
- Manage your time wisely.
- Practice Pointer Story Writing before going for ISSB.
Pointer Sentence: Aslam and Naila, good university-friends, developed liking for each others ....…
Example Story: Aslam and Naila, good university-friends, developed liking for each others. Aslam got admission in foreign university for his last semester with likely-hood of job there. As days passed, they realized that it's hard for them to be away and probably they are in love with each other. Aslam informed his parents, who arranged marriage of both. Despite being married, Aslam had to go alone due to visa issue of Naila. After studies, Aslam got a very good job in that country while they were blessed with a daughter. Despite hardships of being away even after becoming parents, they decided to stay separately for another year, till the child grows a bit, Aslam gets settled in job and visa issue is resolved. Eventually every thing got resolved and they started their new life with energy, enthusiasm and love.
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ISSB Pointer Story Writing Samples
Some of the ISSB Pointer Story Writing Samples are given below.
- Their relations were very good but suddenly…
- Maira was all alone in her room at midnight that suddenly…
- Amna's life was full of joy and glamour till…
- They were good friends, however, the relation took a new turn when…
- Despite having got rid of police, he could not stand firm because…
- Ali was sitting with his female class fellow in the university cafe that ......…
- He was doing job during day and tuition in the evening yet was unable to bear the expenses of his family, so he ........
- On a dark stormy night, she was all alone in her home suddenly…...........
- He joined services to earn money but when he becomes ...................
- He was a very hard worker but failed to succeed in life …...............
- She was standing on a lonely road suddenly her….............
- He wanted to become a rich man but when he becomes a leader of men he…
- AMJAD feels his youth and he wants to provide of…
- He decides to join the Army for money but…...........
- Zahoor was a poor boy one day he…
- Their relation takes a new turn when…
- Friends were sitting in around suddenly…
- When he saw her in trouble than he…
- They were friends and were sitting together but suddenly…
- On seeing a lonely girl on the road, he…