The opening of a short story is just like the fi rst move in a game of chess: just as that move will infl uence how the game goes, the opening will direct how the story will go. Unlike in novels, short story writers don’t have a lot of time to set the scene or hook their readers. Often the opening line and paragraph of a short story needs to tell the reader about setting, tone and characters quickly and skilfully.
You will read two short stories that have very eff ective and gripping openings: ‘All Summer in a Day’ and ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’.
GUIDE TO Opening a Short Story This mind map details some of the classic techniques for writing an opening to a short story. Focus on your character
and describe them. Show, don’t tell; for example: ‘He
walked with a limp and a scowl, glaring at anyone who crossed his path.’
Make a bold/unusual
statement to hook your reader; for example: ‘The sun had not risen in fi ve days.’
Writing an Opening
Skip to the fi rst point of confl ict
and tell your audience what the problem is straight away; for example: ‘Scurrying wildlife screamed in fear as the forest fi re engulfed their precious homes.’
Bring the setting to life with expressive nouns,
adjectives, verbs and adverbs; for example: ‘The sheer rock face towered silently above me and the valley below was now only a blur of greens, yellows and browns.’
Telling Tales: Short Stories 191 Arouse interest or tension by creating
a sense of mystery; for example: ‘What do you mean he’s not coming back? He has the only key.’
If you look up www.britannica.com/art/short-story, you will fi nd a great video giving advice for writing short stories.
Ernest Hemingway is a famous American author who wrote the shortest story ever told. It is only six words but it is a powerful story.
