Key features of Short Stories
Opening
Today we discussed what makes a good opening to a short story. The opening of the story is when characters and setting are introduced to the reader. Some things to include in a successful story opener are:
Today we discussed what makes a good opening to a short story. The opening of the story is when characters and setting are introduced to the reader. Some things to include in a successful story opener are:
- Dialogue, for example, a warning given by one character to another. "I wouldn't go in there if I were you."
- Asking the reader a question. For example: Do you believe in ghosts?
- Describing a character's strange behaviour. Example: The man walked in and tapped his nose 3 times as if to signal to someone, but there was no one else in the room that I could see.
- Using a dramatic exclamation ('Help!') or dramatic event. The fire consumed the house, and we could not help but wonder if those were screams we heard coming from inside.
- Introducing something intriguing. The shiny metal object glistened beneath the man's jacket. When he saw me looking, he yanked his coat shut, cloaking the object.
English homework due in 3/10/13
Fill in the table based on the text from 'The Haunters' By Thomas Taylor.
Story Build-Up