Talking (dialogue) between the characters is an interesting and sometimes intriguing way to begin your narrative. Hurry or you ll be late! called my mother from the bottom of the stairs. If only I had known what the day would bring, I would have stayed in bed.
Vivid description is writing which makes you feel as if you are standing right where the author has just described something. Vivid description appeals to the senses eyes, nose, ears, skin, etc. The sun was warm on my back as I raced toward the waiting school bus. The worn leather seat greeted me. Friendly voices hummed all around and with a jerk, the bus rumbled down the road.
An interesting fact can capture the reader s attention and hook them in to reading more of your narrative. Shocking facts can be particularly effective. Shock has been known to kill ten year olds. It can cause their brains to explode and their heart to stop dead still. These facts came to mind as I stood dumbfounded in front of my classmates.
Onomatopoeia (a sound effect) is a great way to start your narrative. Onomatopoeic words mimic the sound of the object or action to which they refer. Examples: The buzzing bee flew away. The sack fell into the river with a splash. He looked at the roaring sky. The rustling leaves kept me awake.
Asking a question is an interesting way to hook your reader. This type of starter should leave the reader wondering and should invite the reader to keep reading. Have you ever been late for school? I wouldn t recommend it. It s a particularly disastrous, catastrophic and humiliating way to start your first day of school. Especially when you forget your lunch and... your uniform!
Begin with the action. Starting with an Action Lead (exciting verbs), is a great way to engage your reader quickly. Use exciting verbs so that the reader feels like they are part of the action. I jumped out of bed, raced to the wardrobe and threw it open. It was time to face the creature in the wardrobe once and for all. With my heart thudding loudly, I reached into the darkness shaking uncontrollably.
A snapshot creates a picture in the reader s mind. It s a small moment shared at the start of the narrative, that can be extended later in the story. This is a great way to hook the reader and have them wanting to read on. My eyelids slowly opened and I wondered what the noise was. I gasped and lunged for my glasses in the dark.
A flashback takes the reader back to describe a past event. There must be clues to tell the reader that you have now gone back to the past. Gary stared out his kitchen window. Cold rain beat on the brown grass and bare trees. It took him back to that other rainy day thirty years ago, the day that had changed Gary s life forever.
Narrative Starters Dialogue Conversation Talking (dialogue) between the characters is an interesting and sometimes intriguing way to begin your narrative. Hurry or you ll be late! called my mother from the bottom of the stairs. If I had only known what the day would bring, I would have stayed in bed. Vivid Description Vivid description is writing which makes you feel as if you are standing right where the author has just described something. Vivid description appeals to the senses eyes, nose, ears, skin, etc. The sun was warm on my back as I raced toward the waiting school bus. The worn leather seat greeted me. Friendly voices hummed all around and with a jerk, the bus rumbled down the road. An Interesting Fact An interesting fact can capture the reader s attention and hook them in to reading more of your narrative. Shocking facts can be particularly effective. Shock has been known to kill ten year olds. It can cause their brains to explode and their heart to stop dead still. These facts came to mind as I stood dumfounded in front of my classmates. I wish I had stayed in bed! Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia (a sound effect) is a great way to start your narrative. Onomatopoeia is word that mimics the sound of the object or action it refers to. Examples: The buzzing bee flew away. The sack fell into the river with a splash. He looked at the roaring sky.
Narrative Starters Ask A Question Asking a question is an interesting way to hook your reader. This type of starter should leave the reader wondering and should invite the reader to keep reading. Have you ever been late for school? I wouldn t recommend it. It s a particularly disastrous, catastrophic and humiliating way to start your first day of school. Especially when you forget your lunch and... your uniform! Action Lead Starting with an Action Lead (exciting verbs), is a great way to engage your reader quickly. Use exciting verbs so that the reader feels like they are part of the action. I jumped out of bed, raced to the wardrobe and threw it open. It was time to face the creature in the wardrobe once and for all. With my heart thudding loudly, I reached into the darkness shaking uncontrollably. Snapshot A snapshot creates a picture in the reader s mind. It s a small moment shared at the start of the narrative, that can be extended on later in the story. This is a great way to hook the reader and have them wanting to read on. My eyelids slowly opened and I wondered why it was so bright. I gasped and lunged for my glasses in the dark. Flashback A flashback takes the reader back to describe a past event. There must be clues to tell the reader that you have now gone back to the past. Gary stared out his kitchen window. Cold rain beat on the brown grass and bare trees. It took him back to that other rainy day thirty years ago, the day that had changed Gary s life forever.