SHORT STORY INTRODUCTIONS FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENTS Plot Setting Characters

SHORT STORY INTRODUCTIONS

FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENTS • Plot • Setting • Characters • Theme • Point of View

INTRODUCTION EXAMPLE Once upon a time, there lived a little boy whose name was Bill. He lived in a town called Happy Town. The town was full of happy people. His family was also a happy one. Their home was warm, and happy. The school he went to was called Happy Days Primary School.

PROBLEMS • No Enthusiasm • Boring • “Once Upon a Time”…too cliche’

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD INTRODUCTION • Day to Day Issues that people wrestle with • Good Introduction Screams “READ MORE” • Must Convince Reader in first few sentences to continue

NEW BEGINNING Bill was a happy kid – a very happy kid indeed… • What was he so happy about? Makes you want to read more. • Leave reader hungering for and thirsting for more – don’t give all away at once

HOOK YOUR READERS • Bill was a happy kid – a very happy kid indeed… He had everything a kid his age would want – a wonderful, loving family; good friends; and he went to a happy little school called Happy Days Primary School. He lived in a happy town full of happy people. The neighborhood he lived in was happy and peaceful. But above all, his home was happy.

MOST POWERFUL WEAPON = FRIST SENTENCE • “She was everything that I dreamt of – everything. ” • “When he left, he left without saying goodbye – or at least not in the manner he should have. ” • “There were five girls crowded in the little room. ” • “Lewis hurled a stone into the Gomer Lake. ”

WHAT DO THEY ALL HAVE IN COMMON? • Arouse curiosity – Only way to answer questions is to read more!

ASSIGNMENT • Now you write an introduction to your Hero’s Journey!