Writing Sizzling Starts

Overview:

Students explore and practise creating different types of sizzling starts to hook readers into a story. Designed for middle and upper years students.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand and identify six types of sizzling starts in narrative writing.
• Develop the ability to write a compelling story opening using various techniques.
• Enhance writing skills through the use of different techniques to engage readers from the very beginning.

How the Activity Works:

The worksheet introduces students to six different types of sizzling starts: starting with action, dialogue, a question, curiosity, humour and onomatopoeia. Students write an example of each technique. For example, starting at the action could be: “The car screeched to a halt, just inches away from the edge of the cliff.” Dialogue could begin with: “'You can’t be serious!' she exclaimed, staring at the map”. This activity encourages students to think creatively about how different techniques can quickly grab the reader’s attention and get them excited to read more.