Mastering Narrative Openers in Writing
Craft compelling story openers to engage readers from the beginning. Learn how to captivate with character descriptions, settings, dialogue, action, intriguing questions, and impactful statements. Explore various techniques to set the tone and draw readers into your narrative world.
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Story Openers LO: To select and use appropriate openers in narrative writing.
Story Openers Story openers help to set the tone for the rest of our writing. A good opening makes the reader want to read on. A good opening tantalises the reader with an idea of who, where, when or what is happening (or is going to happen).
Story Openers Stories can open with a character description. Mr Stink stank. He also stunk . from Mr Stink by David Walliams
Story Openers Stories can open with a description of a setting. There was once a gaggle of mountains, tall and proud, each with a hat of snow. from Stone Goblins, by David Melling
Story Openers Stories can open with a description of both a character and a setting. A thousand miles ago, in a country east of the jungle and south of the mountains, there lived a Firework-Maker called Lalchand .. From The Firework-Maker s Daughter by Phillip Pullman
Story Openers Stories can open with dialogue. Molllly! Maria shouted to her sister. Would you please shut that window . from School for Stars: Second Term at L Etoile by Holly and Kelly Willoughby
Story Openers Stories can open with action. Jesse was always finding bones in the great bog-oak field where they dug the peat for the winter fires. from The Ghost of Grania O Malley by Michael Morpurgo
Story Openers Stories can open with a question. Good openers sometimes leave the reader with an unanswered question, which can only be answered by reading on. Ever had the feeling your life s been flushed down the toilet? From The Toilet of Doom by Michael Lawrence
Story Openers Stories can open with a statement. In fairy tales, witches always wear silly black hats and black cloaks, and they ride on broomsticks. from The Witches, by Roald Dahl
Story Openers Stories can open with a fronted adverbial. Ages ago, Alex, Allen and Alva arrived at Antibes From Alphabetical Africa by Walter Abish
Murder Mystery Story It s the start of the summer holiday, my character (Max) is spending time on the tropical island of Bermuda lounging in the sun. Until he is persuaded by a new friend (Taylor) to explore the nearby crystal caves.
Murder Mystery Story Pink sand stretched out like a twinkling blanket as far as the eye could see. To the left, was the entrance to the world famous ice caves, and in front of him Max savoured the beauty of the ocean. Turquoise water lapped gently at the mouth of the beach this was paradise! Bermuda was certainly a dream holiday destination for this little Londoner. Today was his second day enjoying the beach and getting to know the other holiday makers. Until Heya Maxie, fancyan adventure? yelled Taylor, a young, rich American who spent far too much time trying to impress the other kids their age with his bravado. Not to be outdone, Max had gone head to head with him holding their breaths underwater, attempting to catch crafty crabs and even looking for sharks to jump on (luckily there weren t any around at this resort)! He knew the use of Maxie was to goad him, but he wouldn t lose face in front of this wasteman . I m cool, what is it going to be? questioned Max already climbing out of his sun lounger. Cave swimming! came the reply as the tall boy surged ahead. At this Max slowed. Although his parents were giving him more freedoms at 13 years old, he had been told strictly that the caves were off limits. He slowed down a fraction, not wanting to disobey his parents, but also unwilling to lose face. Doubt crept into every crevice of his body. At the entrance Taylor turned around with a wolfish grin on his face Frightened? he jeered. This was all the encouragement Max needed as he strode past Taylor out of the bright sunshine and into the shadow of the ice cave.
Murder Mystery Story They explore the caves, marvelling at the ice, even though it begins to chill them
Murder Mystery Story As soon as he left the warm embrace of the sun, Max felt the hairs on his arm stand on end. Something about this place didn t feel right. Thin fingers of ice reached out towards him from the cave s fingers. The white stalactites surface reflected in the still, smooth turquoise lake beneath the bridge that they were standing in. It was eerily beautiful. So beautiful even Taylor had become silent while taking in their surrounding. Not a sound from the outside world could be heard inside this deep chasm. It felt as if they could be in outer space. Walking deeper into the bridge seemed to stretch on for forever. So how do we actually get into the lake? questioned Max. He thought that this could be his way out of this strange, because as beautiful as everything seemed he couldn t shake the sense of dread that perfumed the air around him. We can t just dive in, because there ll be no way out and I cant see where this bridge ends! Have no fear young un there s an opening ahead. Although I guess you might be feeling a bit chicken if you heard the story about The Capture of Christopher ! The what!? exclaimed Max now even more reluctant to venture further into the cave. This was not how he had envisioned spending his summer holidays. He felt trapped in a situation that quickly spiralling out of his control.
Murder Mystery Story YOUR TURN Ok children, now its over to you- use your plan to write the first two sections of your story, choosing from one of the following openings for maximum impact: a description of a character a description of both a setting a description of both a character and a setting dialogue action a question a statement a fronted adverbial
