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.
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Transcript 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