Sizzling Starts: Hook Your Reader!
Year 6 Narrative Writing Australian Curriculum v9 Learning to write engaging story beginnings
WALT & Success Criteria
WALT: Write engaging narrative introductions that hook the reader Success Criteria: • Identify the difference between boring and exciting story starts • Explain why hooking the reader is important • Use at least 3 different techniques to start a story • Write our own sizzling starts
Boring vs. Exciting: Can You Tell the Difference?
{"left":"BORING START: 'My name is Sam and I am going to tell you about my day at the beach. First, I woke up and had breakfast. Then my family and I got in the car and drove to the beach.'","right":"EXCITING START: 'SPLASH! The enormous wave crashed over my head, filling my mouth with salty water as I tumbled helplessly in the churning surf. Where was the lifeguard when you needed one?'"}
Why Do We Need Sizzling Starts?
Readers decide in the first few sentences if they want to continue A good hook makes your reader curious and excited It sets the mood and tone for your entire story Without a hook, readers might put your story down Great authors always start with a bang!
Sizzling Start #1: Jump Into Action!
Start right in the middle of something exciting happening No boring introductions - dive straight in! Example: 'The dragon's fiery breath singed my eyebrows as I leaped behind the crumbling castle wall.' Your turn: Think of an action scene for your story
Sizzling Start #2: Make Them Laugh!
Use humor to grab attention and make readers smile Funny situations or silly characters work great Example: 'I should have known it was going to be a weird day when my pet goldfish started giving me homework advice.' Humor makes readers want to know what happens next
Sizzling Start #3: Create Mystery & Curiosity
Give readers just enough information to make them curious Leave them with questions they need answered Example: 'The old music box had been silent for fifty years, so why was it suddenly playing that haunting melody at midnight?' Make readers think 'I NEED to know what happens!'
Sizzling Start #4: Ask a Question
Start with a question that makes readers think The question should relate to your story's main problem Example: 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like if gravity suddenly stopped working?' Questions make readers become part of the story
Sizzling Start #5: Start with Dialogue & #6: Use Sound Effects!
DIALOGUE: Jump straight into conversation 'You're not going to believe what I found in grandma's attic!' Maya whispered urgently. ONOMATOPOEIA: Use exciting sound words 'CRASH! BANG! THUD!' The mysterious sounds from upstairs made my heart race. Both techniques create immediate drama and excitement
Your Turn: Write Your Own Sizzling Start!
Choose ONE technique we learned today Write a 2-3 sentence sizzling start for your own story DIFFERENTIATION: • Beginner: Use the action or humor technique • Advanced: Combine 2 techniques in one start • Extension: Write 3 different starts for the same story Share your best sizzling start with a partner!