Story BeginningsStory BeginningsStory BeginningsStory Beginnings

How to write beginnings to How to write beginnings to capture your reader’s attention!capture your reader’s attention!

Let’s Review…

• You have learned about how to brainstorm new ideas for new pieces of writing.– How do we do it?– What is important to remember?

• You have learned about the features of narrative text. – How do you know that you are reading a

narrative piece of writing?

Story Beginnings

• The beginning of a story, just like when you first meet someone, are extremely important!

• If the beginning lags or sags, then the reader will put the story down.

• The author’s job is to create an opening that is entertaining and interesting enough to compel the readers to read on!

Boring Story Beginnings

• One sunny day… • One rainy afternoon… • One dark night…• This story is about…• Hi, my name is…• I woke up, got dressed and had

breakfast. Then I…

What’s the problem?

• None of these story beginnings draw the reader into the fictional story.

• None of them give a hint as to what is to come or make you wonder what will happen next.

• They are BORING!

Purpose of a Story Beginning

• A story beginning should introduce the reader to:– The main character– The story setting– The purpose for the story action

• And most importantly, a story beginning should capture the reader’s interest and hook the reader into reading on!

Where Do I Begin?• The place to begin a story is NOT at the very

beginning. • The story should begin as close to the main

event as possible!• For example:

– If you write a story that takes place at the beach, don’t begin the story at home when you woke up and got ready to go to the beach. Start your story AT THE BEACH.

– If you write a story that involves discovering a fairy while on a picnic at the woods, don’t begin two weeks earlier while you planning the picnic at the kitchen table. Start your story IN THE WOODS!

Where Do I Begin?• Here are the different types of

beginnings that really capture the reader’s attention:– AN ACTION – Put the main character in the

setting doing something interesting that relates to the story.

– DIALOGUE – Have the main character say something that expresses a feeling, creates worry, or raises the reader’s interest or curiosity. It could be an EXCLAMATION.

Where Do I Begin?

• Here are other types of beginnings that really capture the reader’s attention:– A THOUGHT OR QUESTION – Show what the

main character is thinking or worrying about.

– A SOUND – A story-relevant sound effect or a description of a sound is a great attention getting technique.

How Do I Write These Story Beginnings?

• AN ACTION– Ask yourself…What would you do?– Instead of writing:

• This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.

– Try this instead:• I walked along the shady forest path on a

magical afternoon.

Let’s Practice Action Beginnings

Action Beginnings Practice Page

How Do I Write These Story Beginnings?

• DIALOGUE– Ask yourself…What would you say or

exclaim?– Instead of writing:

• This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.

– Try this instead:• “What a magical day for a walk in the

woods!” I said.

Let’s PracticeBeginnings with Dialogue

Beginnings with Dialogue Practice Page

How Do I Write These Story Beginnings?

• A THOUGHT OR QUESTION– Ask yourself…What are you thinking,

wondering, or worrying about?– Instead of writing:

• This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.

– Try this instead:• Today seems sort of magical, I thought

as I looked out into the forest.

Beginnings with Thoughts and Feelings Practice Page

Let’s Practice Beginnings with Thoughts and Feelings

How Do I Write These Story Beginnings?

• A SOUND– Ask yourself…What would you hear?– Instead of writing:

• This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.

– Try this instead:• Zing! Woosh! I spun around and stared

into the forest. What had made that peculiar sound?

Onomatopoeia Beginnings Practice Page

Let’s Practice Beginnings with Onomatopoeia

More Tips for Writers

• Avoid sending your main character out into the story world with a number of friends. It can get confusing when there are too many characters.

• Your main character does not need to get out of bed, get dressed, or plan their day at the beginning of the story. We can already assume that they have done these things!

Let’s Find Some Examples!

• We are going to examine (look carefully at) different books that have interesting and captivating beginnings!

• You will decide which type of story beginning the author used to catch the reader’s interest.

• Here are the types of beginnings that really capture the reader’s attention:

• An action• Dialogue• A thought or question• A sound

Mentor Texts

Mentor Texts

Mentor Texts