20/10/14 Openings 1 TP: Good writers get the reader’s attention with their story opening Bell work: Read the extract below. Where is the setting for the story? Give reasons for your answers. The automatic doors opened swiftly as Jade strode in. She glanced quickly at the cluster of signs and pressed on down the wide polished corridor. Ahead of her a set of double doors flew open and a trolley, pushed by five concerned faces, passed rapidly by. The smell of antiseptic caught at the back of her throat. Pushing through the doors at the end of the corridor, she emerged into a brightly lit room. Rows of plastic seats groaned with injured people. Where was Manny? The call had been brief. All she knew was that Manny was here somewhere…

20/10/14 Openings 2 TP: Good writers get the reader’s attention with their story opening Bell work: Write down the five stages of the story mountain

Think/Pair/Share Think of a book or film that had an exciting opening and make some notes about it in your copy book. What made it exciting? Pair up with the person sitting across from you and share your ideas.

What should we call the 5 steps? Short Story Mountain Climax + Problem Falling Action Rising Action What should we call the 5 steps? Beginning / Exposition Resolution

Types of Openings A description of the setting A description of a character A line or lines of dialogue or a conversation A description of an action or a problem A main character speaking to the reader (first person narrative) often outlining a problem

Setting “The air was clogged with heat. Through open windows steamed the dusty sunlight of another city afternoon. An undercurrent of fretfulness ripples around the room.” ‘The Runaways’ – Ruth Thomas What information does the writer give us here about the story’s setting? Why do you think there is an ‘undercurrent of fretfulness’ in the room?

Character “Henry was horrid. Everyone said so, even his mother. Henry threw food, Henry snatched, Henry pushed and shoved and pinched. Even his teddy avoided him when possible.” ‘Horrid Henry’ – Francesca Simon Why do you think the writer gives us this information about Henry at the very beginning of the story?

Dialogue How does this opening make you want to read on? “Look at the cat,” said Prissy Pinkerton. “Why is he so fat?” ‘Blossom’s Revenge’ – Adele Geras

Action “I woke up when the bomb came through the roof. It came through at an angle, overflew my bed by inches, bounced over my mother’s bed, hit the mirror, dropped into the grate and exploded up the chimney.” ‘War Boy’ – Michael Foreman What is happening in this opening? Where do you think this story is set (time and place)?

A Problem Outlined by Main Character “I disappeared on the night before my twelfth birthday, July 28 1999. Only now can I at last tell the whole extraordinary story. The true story.” ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ – Michael Morpungo What questions are you left with after reading this opening?

Paired Work Read the examples of different story openings on the handout. Complete the table, identifying the type of opening and its purpose (what is the writer trying to achieve). Decide what kind of story (genre) you think will follow this opening. Be prepared to give reasons for your answers.

Plenary Write down as many types of story openings as you can remember, without looking at the handout. HINT: there are FIVE types of openings that we covered today.