To get students started in story writing, teachers can divide them into groups and ask each group to create a story from a plot provided by one student, a character provided by another, and a setting provided by a third. In preparation for this activity, the teacher should instruct students in the development of the story elements of plot, characterization, setting and time period, providing relevant writing practice after the discussion of each element. When students have become proficient in preparing story elements, each student is asked to write a description of either a plot, character, or setting; they are then grouped into appropriate triads and are asked to combine their three diverse elements to create a story. Variations involve students in writing stories based on elements drawn randomly from previously prepared collections or on one element supplied to the class as a whole and two elements drawn individually from collections. After stories have been written, comparisons and contrasts may be made. Among the benefits of this technique are that divergent thinking and originality are rewarded, self-initiated activity is fostered, democratic processes are used, and provision is made for the acquisition of numerous language arts skills. (GT)