2.3 Writer's Workshop: Short Stories

The beginning of any story is very important. It will determine whether or not the reader will continue reading or if his or her eyes will gloss over with boredom and not turn another page! Pretty important, wouldn’t you say? 

Let's find out more about how to write a great beginning:

Let’s take a look at some good beginnings: 

  • The author might begin with a quote and follow it up with an action in the form of a command. This type of beginning immediately puts the main character into the setting. Here is just such a beginning from the novel, Red Sails to Capri by Ann Weil. 

“Angelo! Angelo! Look! A boat!” Angelo put down the net he was mending, pushed his red cap back off his forehead, and looked at Michelle. 

  • Another great beginning tells us a little about the plot of the story. Look at this beginning from Jumanjiby Chris van Allsberg. Are the children going to be able to please their mother? 

“Now remember,” Mother said, “your father and I are bringing some guests by after the opera, so please keep the house neat.” 

  • The author might begin with an action (noticing something) instead of a statement (He was ...). This makes the reader curious. Read this beginning from Stuart Little by E.B. White and see if you are left wondering why he was so small and if everyone was looking at him. 

When Mrs. Frederick C. Little’s second son was born, everybody noticed that he was not much bigger than a mouse. 

  • The author could begin with a questionto get the reader’s attention. You may want to read on to find out the answer to Paul Goble’s question in his book, Her Seven Brothers. 

Do you know what the birds and animals say? 

  • A story can begin with an action and a sound effect. We can almost see and hear the little boy dragging his teddy bear down the steps in A.A. Milne’s book, Winnie the Pooh. 

Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin.

Revision Part Three: Revise the beginning of your story using a "great beginning" strategy from this lesson page.