Beginnings The job of the opening paragraph. Hooks or engages reader Makes promises voice—author’s pov toward subject point of view—first, second or third form—blog, story, argument Gives.
Download ReportTranscript Beginnings The job of the opening paragraph. Hooks or engages reader Makes promises voice—author’s pov toward subject point of view—first, second or third form—blog, story, argument Gives.
Beginnings The job of the opening paragraph. Hooks or engages reader Makes promises voice—author’s pov toward subject point of view—first, second or third form—blog, story, argument Gives the piece direction Raises narrative question Establishes subject and limits it. What problem is to be solved? Establishes tone Effective Openings Engage or hook reader Raise interesting questions Surprise the reader Make interesting statements Hint at conflict or central tension Specific rather than general Begins in the middle of things Effective Openings Anecdote Brief narrative—tells a story or gives example Description or specific detail relevant to story Describes person, place or thing Interesting fact or statistic Should be startling or fresh; be careful not to be trite Irony or humor Quote or brief dialogue Examples “Shame,” Dick Gregory I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that. “Salvation,” Langston Hughes I was saved from sin when I was going on thirteen. “Of My Friend Hector and My Achilles Heel,” Michael T. Kaufman This story is about prejudice and stupidity. My own. “Unforgettable Miss Bessie,” Carl T. Rowan She was only about five feet tall and probably never weighed more than 100 pounds, but Miss Bessie was a towering presence in the classroom. She was the only woman tough enough to make me read Beowulf and think for a few foolish days that I liked it. . . “The Wounds That Can’t Be Stitched,” Ruth Russell It was a mild December night. Christmas was only two weeks away. The evening sky was overcast, but the roads were dry. All was quiet in our small town as I drove to my grandmother’s house. Exercises Group workshop Write a fresh opening for each person’s essay. Work as a group. Writer # 1—describe your essay As a group, write an opening that grabs the reader Repeat for writers # 2 and 3 Solo Rewrite your opening paragraph. Writer # 1—read your opening aloud Group—discuss new opening Repeat for writers # 2 and 3