STORY

BEGINNINGS

H OW TO W R I T E B E G I N N I N G S TO C A P T U R E
Y O U R R E A D E R ’ S AT T E N T I O N !
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.
 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.
 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.
 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?
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
LET’S PRACTICE!
MENTOR TEXTS
MENTOR TEXTS
MENTOR TEXTS
 HOMEWORK:
TRANSFORM THESE BORING BEGINNINGS
INTO BOLD ONES!