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3. INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
FUNCTION
A story beginning should introduce the reader to the
main character; the story setting, the purpose for the
story action. Most importantly, the beginning should
capture the reader’s interest and hook the reader
into reading on.
In other words, the story should begin as close to
the main event as possible.
For example, if the main event in a story takes place
at the beach, don’t begin the story at home waking
up-begin at the beach.

4. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
AN ACTION- Put the main character in the setting doing
something interesting and relevant.
(author ask himself) What would you do?
DIALOGUE-Have the main charater say something that
expresses a feeling, creates worry, or raises the reader’s
interest or curiosity. It could be an EXCLAMATION.
(author ask himself) What would you say or exclaim?
A THOUGHT/QUESTION- show what the main character is
thinking or worrying about.
(author ask himself) What would you be thinking, wondering, or
worrying?
A SOUND- A story-relevant sound effect or a description of a
sound is a great attention getting technique.
(author ask himself) What would you hear?

5. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
Instead of: This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.
AN ACTION- I walked along the shady forest path on a magical
afternoon.
(author ask himself) What would you do?
DIALOGUE-”What a magical day for a walk in the woods!” I said.
(author ask himself) What would you say or exclaim?
A THOUGHT/QUESTION- Today seems sort of magical, I thought
as I looked out into the forest.
(author ask himself) What would you be thinking, wondering, or
worrying?
A SOUND- Zing! Woosh! I spun around and stared into the forest.
What had made that peculiar sound?
(author ask himself) What would you hear?

6. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
Additional Tips for Beginning Writers:
1. Avoid sending your main character out into the story world with a number of friends.
2. It is not necessary to have your main character get up, get dressed, plan their day at the
beginning of the story.

7. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
1. Story beginning are designed to grab the reader’s attention and make the reader want to read
on. They introduce the main character, setting, and purpose for the story action.
2. Authors use the following techniques to begin stories in an entertaining way: ACTION,
DIALOGUE/EXCLAMATION, THOUGHTS/FEELINGS, SOUNDS
3. There are a number of questions an author can ask in order to help generate an entertaining
story beginning.

8. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
AN ACTION- Put the main character in the setting doing something
interesting and relevant.
Ask: What would you do?
Ex. Joey ram full steam ahead across the corral and jumped on the
back of the wild stallion!
DIALOGUE-Have the main charater say something that expresses a
feeling, creates worry, or raises the reader’s interest or curiosity. It
could be an EXCLAMATION.
Ask: What would you say or exclaim?
Ex. “I can’t wait to see the Grand Canyon!” I shouted.
A THOUGHT/QUESTION- show what the main character is thinking or
worrying about.
Ask: What would you be thinking, wondering, or worrying?
Ex. I wondered if we’d make it out alive.
A SOUND- A story-relevant sound effect or a description of a sound is a
great attention getting technique.
Ask: What would you hear?
Ex. BOOM! Jack flinched as the thunder and lighting rolled in
over the hills.

9. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
AN ACTION- Put the main character in the setting doing something
interesting and relevant.
Ask: What would you do?
Ex. Joey ram full steam ahead across the corral and jumped on the
back of the wild stallion!
Leroy dropped down on his hands and knees and scrambled around,
frantically trying to sift through the dirt that was piling up around the
hole.
ex. Haunted House
My hands trembled as I opened the creaky old door of the deserted
house.
ex. Camping
I swung my backpack over my shoulder and headed into the woods. It
would be a great day for a campout!
Notice that each example establishes the character, setting, and
theme (haunted house /exploring) of the story.

10. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
DIALOGUE-Have the main charater say something that expresses a
feeling, creates worry, or raises the reader’s interest or curiosity. It
could be an EXCLAMATION.
Ask: What would you say or exclaim?
Ex. “I can’t wait to see the Grand Canyon!” I shouted.
“Anchor!” shouted Captain Stebbins through his speaking trumpet.
“Drop anchor!”
ex. Haunted House
“Here goes nothing!” I said as I climbed through the window of the old
haunted house.
ex. Camping
“This is the perfect spot to set up the tent”! I said, I cleared the forest
floor and set to work.
Notice that each example establishes the character, setting, and
theme (haunted house /exploring) of the story.

11. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
A THOUGHT/QUESTION- show what the main character is thinking or
worrying about.
Ask: What would you be thinking, wondering, or worrying?
Ex. I wondered if we’d make it out alive.
Dread lay on Gilly’s stomach like a dead fish on the beach.
ex. Haunted House
I hope this place isn’t really haunted, I thought, as I tiptoed inside.
ex. Camping
I hope I can find a spot to set up the tent, I thought, as I trudged
deeper into the forest.
Notice that each example establishes the character, setting, and
theme (haunted house /exploring) of the story.

12. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
A SOUND- A story-relevant sound effect or a description of a sound is a
great attention getting technique.
Ask: What would you hear?
Ex. BOOM! Jack flinched as the thunder and lighting rolled in
over the hills.
ex. The wind began in the night. Arthur awoke to hear the tree
branches scrapping against the window and the sound of
sudden sheets of rain being pushed against the house.
ex. As soon as the wheels rattled on cobbled streets, Jemmy
felt an immense sense of relief.
ex. Haunted House
Boo! Hiss! I shuddered at the strange noises coming from the
basement of the abandoned house.
ex. Camping
HOOO! HOOO! An owl swooped down toward me, complaining
that I’d set up my tent in his part of the forest!
Notice that each example establishes the character, setting, and theme (haunted house /exploring) of the story.

13. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES INTRODUCTION TO BEGINNINGS
Remind children that the beginning should be entertaining and
interesting and that the story should begin as close to the main event
as possible.
As students work, offer assistance and encouragement, and read
terrific student efforts out loud. A good technique involves reading
the boring original and following it up with the revised version. It
makes a strong statement about the power of revision! Display the
finished “Before and After” versions where the children can read and
compare!