This document discusses elements of creating an engaging opening and satisfying ending for creative writing. An engaging opening should hook the reader with atmosphere and hint at the narrative through subtle character details. A satisfying ending links back to the opening through repetition of themes and techniques, makes logical sense as the narrative leads to an event, and leaves the audience thinking by wanting to continue the story. The document provides techniques for crafting openings and endings such as using imagery, varied punctuation and sentences, and powerful descriptive language.

1. Creative Writing—Creating an Engaging Opening and a Convincing and
Satisfying Ending
From Marking Scheme: A*--Uses structure to produce deliberate effects, developing
the writing coherently and skilfully from a confident opening which engages the
reader to a very convincing and deliberate ending.
Elements of an Engaging Opening— Elements of a Satisfying Ending—Your
Your goal is to HOOK the reader and goal is make sure your ending LINKS
HINT to the elements of the narrative. back to the opening and leaves the
AUDIENCE THINKING.
Sets the atmosphere/mood Segment of narrative leads to an
event/episode/circumstance—makes
logical sense
Subtle hints of the narrative/characters— Links to the opening via the repetition of
don’t give everything away. themes, techniques, characterisation,
atmosphere.
‘Show not tell’ method of writing—don’t Leaves the reader wanting to continue
say ‘she was crying’, begin by saying the next ‘chapter’/segment of the text.
‘tears flooded down her cheek, echoing
the harrowing loss of last night’.
Vary sentence types and beginnings Subordinate and Embedded clauses
reinforce existing motifs
Powerful verbs, adverbs, adjectives— Powerful verbs, adverbs, adjectives—
used for effect and purpose used for effect and purpose
Subordinate and Embedded clauses Vary sentence types and beginnings
develop atmosphere/mood
Punctuation is used for effect and Punctuation is used for effect and
purpose, and with precision purpose, and with precision
Imagery and other rhetorical devices Imagery and other rhetorical devices
help convey an image in the reader’s help convey an image in the reader’s
mind mind
Cliff hanger—entice the reader ‘Show not tell’ method of writing—don’t
say ‘she was crying’, begin by saying
‘tears flooded down her cheek, echoing
the harrowing loss of last night’.