1. 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…

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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?

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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)?

10. A Problem Outlined by Main Character
“I disappeared on the night before my twelfth birthday, July 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?

11. 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.

12. 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.