Story Starters Page 3

First-paragraph Strategies

1.  Reveal that you have been asked to tell the story.  This suggests that you are competent and have the confidence of those who asked you. (Treasure Island)

2.  Confine your opening paragraph to the beauty and wonder of the natural world. (Obason)

3.  Fashion ill-defined fear.  (The Ishbane Conspiracy)

4.  Employ short, choppy sentences to indicate a sense of urgency, mystery or action.  (Artemis Fowl).

5.  Focus the first paragraph on something significant.  (Sphere)

6.  Do this exercise for yourself. 

• At the library choose ten books. 
• Read the first paragraph of each.
• Select five books for further consideration.
• Investigate the strategies used
• Design your own first-paragraph strategy in order to unhinge your teacher.