Strong Beginnings for Student Stories

To avoid boring beginnings, I teach my third graders that there are three effective ways to start a story - introductory techniques that beg the reader to read more. Here are the three basic recipes for an inventive and impactful story starter:

• Dialogue - The writer begins with a character speaking about something exciting and relevant to the plot. For example, "Mom, can we please go to the beach today?" I begged with my puppy-dog eyes.
• Sound Effects - Drag readers right into the feelings and sounds of the action. As in: Splash! went the cool ocean water as I dashed into the coming waves."
• Action - Describe an unbelieveable or high-energy event that makes the reader want to see what happens next. Like this: I jumped out of the car and grabbed my boogie board, unable to wait any longer to get to the sand!

Through modeling and practice, my third graders have learned to power-up their writing so that it packs more punch from the opening lines. It's amazing how much more energized I am to read my students' stories after teaching this simple way to improve writing. Give it a try and see how it works for you!