1. Empowering Writers

2. Narrative Writing ENTERTAINING BEGINNING ELLABORATIVE DETAIL
Story Critical Character, Setting, Object
SUSPENSE
Anticipation leading to the main event
THE MAIN EVENT
Show action in slow motion, frame by freame,
stretch it out! Include description and main
character’s thoughts and feelings!
Action leading to SOLUTION
Of problem or
CONCLUSION of adventure
EXTENDED ENDING
Memory Decision,
Feeling,Wish

3. The Writing Diamond Defined
Entertaining Beginning
The beginning must “hook” the reader and make them feel compelled to read on. The author might use an interesting action, dialogue or exclamation, the main character’s thoughts, or feelings, raise story questions or even use a sound to grab the reader’s attention. Stories should begin as close to the main event as possible.

4. Description of Setting, Character or Object…
A descriptive segment (3-4 sentences long) which describes a story critical setting, character, or object will help draw the reader in and help the reader experience the fictional world through the five senses of the main character. If the setting is mundane or boring (an average kitchen, the school yard, etc.) the author may choose to describe an important character or object instead.

5. Build Suspense
Here the author moves toward the main event by building suspense or a sense of anticipation. This might involve raising worry, wonder, concern, or doubt, all of which build tension. This can be done through the use of “story questions”, “word referents”, or “the magic of three.”

6. THE MAIN EVENT
This is the most important part of the story – the climax, the event that the entire story has led up to – essentially, what the whole story is about. The main event section involves the problem/struggle sequence , or the adventure or interesting peak experience. This “scene” should be told in almost slow motion, expanded upon and stretched out through a balance of action, thought, description, and dialogue. This is the largest, most significant part of the story.

7. The Solution/Conclusion
This is the section that brings the main event to a close. The problem is solved or the adventure or experience comes to an end.

8. Extended Ending
The ending summarizes the main character’s thoughts, feelings, memories, hopes, wishes or decisions in regard to the main event. It might also include a defining action that SHOWS any of above. The extended ending should not be abrupt, rather it should have a feeling of satisfied closure.

9. Introduction to Beginnings

10. Hi there kids, my name is Bradley and I am here to tell you what makes me want to read a book, story, or essay.
Did you know that the beginning of a story, just like a first impression, is very important!
Imagine if the beginning of a story was BORING, would you want to keep reading it?

11. It is your job as the writer to create an opening that is not only entertaining, but also interesting enough to make the reader want to keep on reading.
Here are some examples of Story Beginnings
that we need to trash. These beginnings will go into
Our “BORING BEGINNINGS CEMETERY”
One sunny day…One rainy afternoon…
This story is about…
Hi, my name is…
I woke up, go dressed and had breakfast. Then I…

12. Let’s see, can you tell me what is wrong with these openings?
Here are some examples of Story Beginnings
that we need to trash. These beginnings will go into
Our “BORING BEGINNINGS CEMETERY”
One sunny day…One rainy afternoon…
This story is about…
Hi, my name is…
I woke up, got dressed and had breakfast. Then I…

13. What did you and your team come up with? What’s the problem with these?

14. What did you and your team come up with? What’s the problem with these?
None of the openings give a hint of what is to come
2. None raise compelling questions about the story
BORING
BORING
BORING

15. BORING BORING BORING So, what is the function of a story beginning?
A story beginning should introduce the reader to the
a. MAIN CHARACTER
b. The STORY SETTING
c. The PURPOSE for the story
BORING
BORING
MOST IMPORTANTLY
The beginning should capture the reader’s
interest and hook the reader into reading on!
BORING

16. THE STORY SHOULD BEGIN AS CLOSE TO THE MAIN EVENT AS POSSIBLE!!!
RIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG! “Oh no the bell is ringing,” I said to Heidi as we ran towards our classroom. First day of school and I am already late. This is the start of a wonderful day, I can’t even imagine what could go wrong next. I arrived breathless from running to get to my math class. This is shaping up to be what seems like the worst day ever, has that ever happened to you?

17. DIALOGUE
ACTION
THOUGHT/QUESTION
SOUND

18. ACTION An Action: What would you do? Instead of:
This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.
TRY THIS:
* I walked along the shady forest path on a magical
afternoon.

19. An Action….
Put the main character in the setting doing something interesting and relevant
RIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG! “Oh no the bell is ringing,” I said to Heidi as we ran towards our classroom. First day of school and I am already late. This is the start of a wonderful day, I can’t even imagine what could go wrong next. I arrived breathless from running to get to my math class. This is shaping up to be what seems like the worst day ever, has that ever happened to you?

20. DIALOGUE Dialogue: What would you say or exclaim? Instead of:
This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.
TRY THIS:
* “What a magical day for a walk in the woods!” I said.

21. DIALOGUE…
Have the main character say something that expresses a feeling, creates worry, or raises the reader’s interest or curiosity. It could be an EXCLAMATION!
RIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG! “Oh no the bell is ringing!” I said to Heidi as we ran towards our classroom. First day of school and I am already late. This is the start of a wonderful day, I can’t even imagine what could go wrong next. I arrived breathless from running to get to my math class. This is shaping up to be what seems like the worst day ever, has that ever happened to you?

22. THOUGHT/QUESTION Instead of:
THOUGHT/QUESTION: What are you thinking, wondering or worrying?
Instead of:
This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.
TRY THIS:
* Today seems sort of magical, I thought as I looked
out into the forest.

23. Show what the main character is thinking or worrying about.
A THOUGHT/QUESTION…
Show what the main character is thinking or worrying about.
RIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG! “Oh no the bell is ringing!” I said to Heidi as we ran towards our classroom. First day of school and I am already late. This is the start of a wonderful day, I can’t even imagine what could go wrong next. I arrived breathless from running to get to my math class. This is shaping up to be what seems like the worst day ever, has that ever happened to you?

24. SOUND This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.
SOUND: What would you hear?
This is a story about how I found a fairy in the woods.
TRY THIS:
* Zing! Woosh! I spun around and stared into the
forest. What had made that peculiar sound?

25. SOUND…
A story-relevant sound effect or a description of a sound is a great attention getting technique.
RIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG! “Oh no the bell is ringing!” I said to Heidi as we ran towards our classroom. First day of school and I am already late. This is the start of a wonderful day, I can’t even imagine what could go wrong next. I arrived breathless from running to get to my math class. This is shaping up to be what seems like the worst day ever, has that ever happened to you?

26. ACTION Dialogue Thought or Question Sound
Here is another example of Action at the beginning of your story:
Joey ran full steam ahead across the corral and jumped on the back of the wild stallion!
ACTION
Here is another example of Dialogue at the beginning of your story:
“I can’t wait to see the Grand Canyon!” I shouted.
Dialogue
Thought or Question
Here is another example of a thought or question at the beginning of your story:
I wondered if we’d make it out alive.
Sound
Here is another example of sound at the beginning of your story:
BOOM! Jack flinched as the thunder and lightning rolled in ocer the hills.

27. Thought or Question Sound Dialogue ACTION
Read the following beginnings and see if you can match them up with the type of beginning that they are.
Thought or Question
Sound
Dialogue
ACTION
From The Winter Worm Business:
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.
Think about what you know about story beginnings. Which of the techniques above sis the author use to grab your attention?
______________________

28. Thought or Question Sound Dialogue ACTION
Read the following beginnings and see if you can match them up with the type of beginning that they are.
Thought or Question
Sound
Dialogue
ACTION
From Arthur for the Very First TIme:
The wind began in the night. Arthur awake to hear the tree branches scraping against the window and the sound of sudden sheets of rain being pushed against the house.
Think about what you know about story beginnings. Which of the techniques above sis the author use to grab your attention?
______________________

29. Thought or Question Sound Dialogue ACTION
Read the following beginnings and see if you can match them up with the type of beginning that they are.
Thought or Question
Sound
Dialogue
ACTION
From The Whipping Boy:
As soon as the wheels rattled on cobbled streets, Jemmy felt an immense sense of relief.
Think about what you know about story beginnings. Which of the techniques above sis the author use to grab your attention?
______________________

30. Thought or Question Sound Dialogue ACTION
Read the following beginnings and see if you can match them up with the type of beginning that they are.
Thought or Question
Sound
Dialogue
ACTION
From The Thirteenth Floor, A Ghost Stroy:
“Anchor!” shouted Captain Stebbins through his speaking trumpet. “Drop anchor!”.
Think about what you know about story beginnings. Which of the techniques above sis the author use to grab your attention?
______________________

31. Thought or Question Sound Dialogue ACTION
Read the following beginnings and see if you can match them up with the type of beginning that they are.
Thought or Question
Sound
Dialogue
ACTION
From The Great Gilly Hopkins:
Dread lay on Gilly’s stomach like a dead fish on the beach.
Think about what you know about story beginnings. Which of the techniques above sis the author use to grab your attention?
______________________

32. Haunted House Beginning
Hi, my name is Kate. I will tell you about my adventure exploring a haunted house!
Is this an attention grabbing beginning?
We are going to revise this story beginning so that it is interesting and entertaining. We will use one of the four techniques listed below. We will NOT write the whole story, just the beginning.
Action: What would you do?
Dialogue or Exclamation: What would you say?
Thought or Question: What are you wondering or worrying about?
Sound: What would you hear?

33. Haunted House Beginning
Hi, my name is Kate. I will tell you about my adventure exploring a haunted house!
Here are some examples for this story:
Action: What would you do?
My hands trembled as I opened the creaky old door of the deserted house.
Dialogue or Exclamation: What would you say?
“Here goes nothing!” I said as I climbed through the window of the old haunted house.
Thought or Question: What are you wondering or worrying about?
I hope this place isn’t really haunted, I thought, as I tiptoed inside.
Sound: What would you hear?
Boo! Hiss! I shuddered at the strange noises coming from the basement of the abandoned house.

34. Haunted House Beginning
Hi, my name is Kate. I will tell you about my adventure exploring a haunted house!
Action: What would you do?

35. Haunted House Beginning
Hi, my name is Kate. I will tell you about my adventure exploring a haunted house!
Dialogue or Exclamation: What would you say?

36. Haunted House Beginning
Hi, my name is Kate. I will tell you about my adventure exploring a haunted house!
Sound: What would you hear?

37. Haunted House Beginning
Hi, my name is Kate. I will tell you about my adventure exploring a haunted house!
Thought or Question: What are you wondering or worrying about?