6Six Word StoryA SIX WORD WONDER COMMUNITY
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Six-word story resources

A practical, editor-curated library for writing, teaching, reading, publishing and understanding six-word stories, arranged by what you actually want to do.

THE FASTEST WAY TO LEARN

Read six. Rate six. Write six.

Six-word storytelling makes sense once you see what creates a reaction. Judge a handful of stories, notice what surprises you, then write one of your own.

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EDITOR’S RANKING

The six best starting points

If you are new to the form, use these in order. Each one has a distinct job.

  1. 1
    Best complete guide

    How to write a six-word story

    Structure, compression, revision and the difference between a miniature story and a six-word statement.

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  2. 2
    Best for learning by reading

    Strong six-word story examples

    Examples arranged by effect, with explanations of what each tiny story is doing.

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  3. 3
    Best for getting unstuck

    Prompts and writing exercises

    Practical prompts, templates and constraints that produce material worth revising.

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  4. 4
    Best quick reference

    Rules and word counting

    Clear answers on hyphens, contractions, punctuation, titles, numbers and exactly what counts as one word.

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  5. 5
    Best for teachers

    Six-word stories for schools

    Low-preparation activities, differentiated exercises, safety notes and a simple assessment rubric.

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  6. 6
    Best live practice

    Reader-ranked story collection

    Read, judge and compare hundreds of stories, including the top-ranked and most divisive entries.

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Writing and revision

Learn the form, generate material, then make every word earn its place.

How to write six-word storiesThe full craft guideStart hereSix-word story promptsPrompts, exercises and story shapesPracticeRules and word countingHyphens, contractions, punctuation and moreReferenceWhat is a six-word story?Definitions, history and common misconceptionsOverviewMasterClass writing guideA concise external introduction to draftingExternal

Reading and inspiration

Study what creates surprise, emotion and argument, then develop your own taste.

Explained story examplesExamples grouped by technique and effectAnalysisTop-ranked storiesThe stories readers currently rate highestLive rankingMost divisive storiesStories that split readers most sharplyLive rankingBrowse every collectionFunny, sad, scary, romantic and moreGenresSix-Word MemoirsThe landmark memoir communityExternalSix Word Stories archiveA large independent collectionExternalWIRED: Six by SixReader stories paired with illustrationsArchive

Teaching and workshops

Ready-to-use resources for classrooms, writing groups and creative workshops.

Six Word Story classroom guideActivities, levels, rubric and lesson flowOn this siteReadWriteThink lesson planWord choice, synonyms and revisionDetailed lessonEdutopia classroom guidePractical ways to use memoirs with studentsTeacher guideAIGA visual memoir projectWriting combined with visual semanticsDesignMoving Writers activityA mentor-text classroom variationActivityPeer voting and rankingsHow to discuss reader reaction and disagreementDiscussion

Submit, publish and compete

Places to share work publicly or submit it for editorial selection. Read the current terms before entering.

Submit to Six Word StoryFree community publishing with reader rankingsFreeSix Word Wonder ContestFree international contest; 2026 deadline September 30Free contestNarrative MagazinePays $50 if accepted; current submission fee is $15Literaryr/sixwordstoriesOpen posting and community discussionSocialHow rankings workUnderstand voting before publishing hereTransparency

Books and background

A short shelf for understanding how the modern six-word movement developed.

Not Quite What I Was PlanningThe anthology that popularized Six-Word MemoirsEssentialI Can’t Keep My Own SecretsSix-word memoirs by and for teensYoung writersIt All Changed in an InstantA second major anthology of six-word livesAnthologySix-Word Memoirs on Love & HeartbreakA themed collection of love and lossRelationshipsThe Six Word Wonder booksStories, poems, memoirs and jokes in six wordsSeriesSix Words Through the AgesLarry Smith on the movement’s history and reachHistory

Understand the wider form

See where six-word stories sit beside flash fiction, short stories, memoir, haiku, couplets, limericks and other poetic forms.

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Explore the wider community

Browse the ranked directory of websites, literary outlets, communities, books, classrooms and the annual Six Word Wonder Contest.

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Last editorial review: July 29, 2026. External fees, deadlines and terms can change. Check the linked destination before submitting work or using a resource with students.