How to Write Sizzling Story Starts

For classroom handouts (able to be photocopied) see our Teacher Manual. It includes the unique story graph and over 40 different classroom activities.

First impressions count. Research claims you make up your mind about someone in the first four minutes after you meet them. It's just the same with a story.

Unfortunately how many starts go like this?

I leapt out of bed that morning and hurried to get dressed because today Dad was taking us to the zoo. I was really excited because they have this big monkey enclosure there and I was mad about monkeys. I also needed to get some really good photos for my Science project.

So how can we get students to write like this?

'Here,' I told my sister, 'hold my rucksack. I'm just going to get a bit closer to the monkey's cage.'
A bit closer meant over the fence, past the sign that said 'No entry' and right up to the wire.
'You're monkey mad,' said my sister.
Well, maybe I was. But I was also desperate for an 'A' in my latest Science project. A picture of a cute monkey, smiling right at the camera, might make all the difference.

The answer: Start at the 'Moment of Change', right where the action begins. In the first example, the writer starts the story at the beginning of the day, yet the action really takes place at the zoo. So begin the story at the zoo - as the person walks right up to the monkey's cage, camera in hand, shining earrings swinging in the sun, just waiting to be grabbed by a quick sharp paw.

But how to explain why you are there? Easy - use the 'backfill' technique. Fill in the basics of 'who, what and why' as the rest of the action unfolds. This makes it much faster and far more interesting writing!

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