Story Beginnings

How to write beginnings to

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 Practice
Beginnings 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.
 Let’s Practice Beginnings
with Thoughts and Feelings

Beginnings with Thoughts and

Feelings Practice Page
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?
Let’s Practice Beginnings
with Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia Beginnings Practice

Page
 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