How to create a setting

Every story has a setting. The setting of a story tells us where and when the story is taking place.

In this article you will find out:

• What a setting is
• How to create a story setting
• How to use adjectives, metaphors and similes to create a setting

This resource is suitable for creative writing for primary school learners.

Watch this video to learn how to create a story setting.

• The setting of a story tells us where and when a story is taking place.
• The setting can be anywhere but it will have a huge impact on the story.
• The setting can give the reader a clue to the type of story they’re going to read.

Try to use your words to paint a picture for your readers and create interesting settings for the characters. You can give lots of detail along with effective adjectives (describing words).

Imagine you are on a boat. How would you describe this setting?

• What sort of boat should the character be on? For example, it could be an old wreck and our story could be set in the past.
• Where is the boat?
• What does the boat look like?
• What does the water look like?

The barnacle covered leaky galleon drifted across the shark infested waters towards a rocky, desolate looking island.

• The season and weather can have a big impact on your setting.
• The more descriptive you can be for the reader the better.
• Remember, you are trying to grab their attention and interest.

Get some inspiration for writing about the weather and seasons here: Weather

You can describe something in an interesting or imaginative way by comparing things, using “like” and “as”. This is known as a simile.

Using a simile can help bring your setting to life for your reader. It can save you having to write a long list of adjectives!

The waves throw the ship around like a wild animal toying with its prey.

• You can make your writing more interesting and exciting by using metaphors.
• You can create powerful descriptions by comparing two different things which aren’t alike but have something in common.
• Metaphors are like similes but don't use like or as
• Metaphors are effective and can make particular parts of your writing stand out.

The storm whips the sea up into great walls of water.

Use all of your senses to describe your setting as this helps bring it to life for your reader.

What other senses can you use in your writing?

• What can you hear?Seagulls calling on the sea breeze?
• Maybe you can smell something?The salt crusted sails? And I can almost taste that rotten looking fish stew!

Good authors choose their setting with care and select a setting that is perfect for the story they want to tell.

Would this story be as exciting if it wasn’t on a pirate ship in the middle of the ocean? What would happen on a fancy cruise ship? That setting could work for an entirely different story.

• adjective – A word which describes something or someone. For example, you can use adjectives to describe your favourite film: 'It’s funny, colourful and interesting.'
• metaphor – A word or a phrase used to describe something as if it were something else. 'The crocodile’s teeth are shiny, white daggers' is an example of a metaphor where the crocodile’s teeth are compared to daggers.
• simile – A simile uses 'like' or 'as' to compare two different things. For example: 'During the storm, my dad was as brave as a lion.'

Use adjectives, metaphors and similes to write an interesting setting for a story set in one of the following places:

• a forest
• a castle
• at school
• in space

Here is a guide to help you with metaphors and similes: What are metaphors and similes?