This document provides instructions for writing an anecdote. It explains that an anecdote should include: 1) arousing interest with an attention-grabbing opening, 2) setting the scene by establishing characters, location, time, etc., 3) describing the main point or event, 4) discussing the ending and reactions, and 5) connecting the story to the present. It then provides examples for each section and instructs readers to work in groups to collaboratively tell a Christmas anecdote by drawing cards that provide character, setting, or action details to include in the story.

1. HOW TO WRITE AN
ANECDOTE
Isabel Bastida, EOI CARTAGENA

2. A DESCRIPTION
• AROUSING INTEREST
•SETTING THE SCENE
•DESCRIBE THE MAIN POINT
•WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END AND REACTIONS
•CONNECTING THE STORY TO THE PRESENT

3. 1. AROUSING INTEREST
Something I’ll never forget
is when …
One of the weirdest things
that happened to me was
…
I had the funniest/ most
embarrassing experience
when …
You won’t believe what
happened to me on my last
holiday …
ETC.
One of the funniest Christmas ever was
when Phil Delphy suggested celebrating
Christmas as a family on 16th December.

4. 2. SETTING THE SCENE
Main character
Where
When
Who with
Others
They were just delighted at the thought of it.
All of a sudden, he had organized everything:
- Mitchell, Alex and Lily would pick up the
Christmas tree.
- Gloria and Luke would be in charge of the
Christmas Angel.
They had arranged to drop by his house at 6:00
to celebrate Christmas.

5. 3. THE MAIN POINT
What
Focus on the story
When Mitchell was ready to leave the garden
centre with the Christmas tree loosely tied
on the top of his car, a car passed by.
Obviously he panicked and hit the brakes.
Unluckily enough, the Christmas tree flew
off the top of the car and to their surprise a
silver car ran over the Christmas tree and
split it in two.
Gloria was driving the car.

6. 4. AT THE END AND REACTIONS
DEVELOPMENT OF
DRAMA
It was a nightmare/ so
embarrassing/ really funny.
I was petrified/ speechless.
Others.
What a scene! Mitchell and Alex where
speechless. They couldn’t believe their
eyes.
Anyway, they decided to collect the pieces
of the Christmas tree and tell everybody
about the incident.

7. 5. STORY TO THE PRESENT
CONCLUSION
When I think about it I still
feel embarrassed/ I feel
like laughing …
I’ll never forget it because
…
Others
I’ll never forget it, because despite arriving
home with fallen pieces of a Christmas tree,
they had the best Christmas ever.
Jay Pritchett had planned to surprise them
with artificial snow in their yard.

8. YOUR TURN
Tell an anecdote about Christmas following these instructions:
- Make up a Christmas story in groups.
-Take turns to pick up two cards to include in the story.You can
choose character, setting or action.
- You have 1’ to include the information from your card.
- Be imaginative.
-Your partner continues the story with two more cards and so on.