We’ve covered various aspects of storytelling. Now let’s use this information to develop writing skills. The first step to writing a simple story is to choose a title. Once we have selected a title, then we need to write an opening sentence.
Table of Contents
- The Importance Of Choosing an Opening Sentence
- Opening Sentences that Capture Attention
- Opening Sentences that Work
- Exercises for Writing an Interesting Title
The Importance Of Choosing an Opening Sentence
When choosing a book to read, the first thing we probably look at is the cover and title. Then we open the book and read the first line (or two).
The opening sentence in a piece of writing should capture the reader’s attention.
In addition, the title is also important to the writer. Choosing a title makes us think. It forces us to narrow what we are going to say. It provides a focus.
Opening Sentences that Capture Attention
Ask your student to reflect back on a few of his favorite books. How did they begin?
Have him spend time selecting three favorite reads. Then write down the opening sentences for each book
For each opening sentence have him answer the questions:
- What did he like about the way the book opened?
- What did he think the book might be about based only on the beginning?
- What type of story did he assume he would be reading?
- What about the opening sentence pulled him in?
Opening Sentences that Work
Many writers get stuck when writing that opening line. In fact, sometimes the best way to start is simply write knowing in advance that opening line might need help!
That said, the best way to write that opening sentence is to study other writers. How did they start? In general, stories start in one of several ways:
Begin at the Beginning
Some stories have a chronological format beginning with early time and moving to more recent. Stories written in a biographical format often choose this type of opening line.
My father’s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Start with an Action
An action provides an exciting start that leads readers to want to know how it will be resolved.
The order to abandon ship was given at 5 P. M.
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage
Describe the Setting Where the Story is Taking Place
If a writer chooses to describe the setting in the opening sentence, he has to use very descriptive words. The setting, after all, should be interesting.
It was very early Christmas morning, and in the stillness of the dawn, with the soft snow falling on the housetops, a little child was born in the Bird household.
The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
Begin with a Conversation
The fun thing about using conversation in an opening sentence is that the reader usually has no idea what is going on. After all he just sort of landed in the middle of the story.
“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Describe a Character
What about the main character, supporting character is interesting?
Marley was dead, to begin with.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Exercises for Writing an Interesting Title
1. Ask your student to evaluate the three opening lines he selected from above. Which category do they fit into? Or do they fit into any category?
2. Using one of the three opening lines your student chose earlier, change the subject and verb of the sentence to create a new sentence. For example, if the sentence is:
The order to abandon ship was given at 5 P. M.
Change it to:
The countdown to abandon ship stopped at 5 P.M.
Not bad! The reader wants to know why? What stopped it?
Provide time for your student to play around with creating new opening lines, no matter how silly.
3. Here is a list of Caldecott winners:
- Chanticleer and the Fox.
- Time of Wonder.
- A Tree is Nice.
- Frog Went A-Courtin’.
- Madeline’s Rescue.
- The Biggest Bear.
- Finders Keepers.
- The Egg Tree.
- Song of the Swallows.
Choose one or two and write an opening line for the title.
4. Use storytelling prompts to write opening sentences (scroll down to Storytelling Ideas).
5. Use a story starter to create ideas for practicing writing opening sentences. This can be surprisingly challenging. Our starter:
Write a folktale about a powerful cantaloupe who rides comets.
Wow.
How about: Once upon a time, an incredibly large fruit was mistaken for an alien invasion when scientists inadvertently launched it through Halley’s tail.
Now you try….
Additional Resources
Learn to Write, Write!: A DIY Writer’s Companion
Ready to get started writing? Learn to Write: Write! is your guide to discovering and practicing the art of writing. Cover the basics, such as finding something to write and overcoming fears, to more advanced topics like revising your work and cultivating your voice and style. The book gets out of the way as great writers and their writing encourage you to apply their ideas to your own writing. Put pencil to paper and stretch your abilities as you learn by doing. Learn more.
14 Forms of Writing for the Older Student: The Short Story
More tips here.
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