Story Starters

Narrative Writing
 Think to yourself

What is the most

difficult part of writing
a story?
 Talk to your neighbor

What is the most

difficult part of writing
a story?
 Share with the Class

What is the most

difficult part of writing
a story?
Today's lesson will help you:
Figure out
how to start
Write your story Make your
with story more
purpose engaging
 Today we will:
• Learn about story starters and their purpose

• Learn about 4 engaging story starters

• Use multiple story starters to see what works

best for your narrative
What are story starters?

Story starters are strategies

to consider when writing a
story to make the
beginning more engaging
and purposeful
What are story starters?
Types of Starters

Story starters are strategies • Set-Up

• Talking
to consider when writing a
• Landscape
story to make the • Character
beginning more engaging
and purposeful
 Set-Up Starter
You are
here
The writer quickly
establishes the
circumstances and
stakes of the story in a
few opening lines
 Set-Up Starter Example
The writer quickly
establishes the None of this would have happened if it wasn't
circumstances or for David. He's the one who talked me into
stakes of the story in a
signing up for the track team. I would have
few opening lines
never guessed that decision would lead to my
biggest humiliation.
 Attempt a Set-Up Starter
Take 3 minutes and
try to start your story
None of this would have happened if it wasn't
with lines that
establishes the for David. He's the one who talked me into
circumstances or signing up for the track team. I would have
stakes. never guessed that decision would lead to my
biggest humiliation.
 Talking Starter
The writer uses a line of
dialogue with a purpose.
The dialogue should
reveal information that
enriches the story.
 Talking Starter Example
The writer uses a line of
dialogue with a purpose.
The dialogue should "I can't believe we didn't get a snow day," my
reveal information that sister murmured as she adjusted the hood of
enriches the story.
her corduroy coat to shield her curled hair
from the wind.
 Attempt a Talking Starter
Take 3 minutes and try
to start your story with
dialogue that reveals "I can't believe we didn't get a snow day," my
information that sister murmured as she adjusted the hood of
enriches the story.
her corduroy coat to shield her curled hair
from the wind.
 Landscape Starter

The writer opens the

story with a description
of the setting that will
be important to the
story.
 Landscape Starter Example
The writer opens the
I yawned as a woke up from my mid-afternoon
story with a description
of the setting that will be nap, warm from the Florida sun. The sound of
important to the story. the ocean's waves and a distant speaker quietly
playing pop music had lulled me to sleep. As I
stretched and considered putting on sunscreen, I
heard someone yell from the water.
 Attempt a Landscape Starter
Take 3 minutes and try
I yawned as a woke up from my mid-afternoon
to start your story with a
description of the setting nap, warm from the Florida sun. The sound of
that will be important to the ocean's waves and a distant speaker quietly
the story. playing pop music had lulled me to sleep. As I
stretched and considered putting on sunscreen, I
heard someone yell from the water.
 Character Starter

The writer opens the

story with a description
of a character that will
be important to the
story.
 Character Starter Example
The writer opens the
story with a description Edith walked into the classroom with her rolling
of a character that will bag. She took her seat in the back of the room
be important to the story. and quickly fished out her tablet to draw. This
wasn't art class, but Edith didn't care. Every
second was an opportunity for her to create
something unique and beautiful.
 Attempt a Character Starter
Take 3 minutes and try
to start your story with a Edith walked into the classroom with her rolling
description of a bag. She took her seat in the back of the room
character that will be and quickly fished out her tablet to draw. This
important to the story. wasn't art class, but Edith didn't care. Every
second was an opportunity for her to create
something unique and beautiful.
Read through your starter attempts

Which starter do
you like the
Which starter is the most? Which starter is
most effective in
the most
sharing
engaging?
information?
 Use these story starters to
create effective and engaging
opening lines to your narrative
writing