Starting and Ending a Story

Beginnings and Endings

• Beginnings and endings are crucial parts of any story.

• They should be connected to create a balanced narrative.

• Good authors make sure their stories start and end in a meaningful way.

Beginnings

• What If Question

"What if a brilliant boy was given command of real ships, thinking it was just a simulation?"

This question sets the stage for an intriguing plot and engages the reader's curiosity.

Write the opening paragraph for a story called 'Babysitting'. Make it interesting, so someone would want to read the rest of the story.

Notes for the beginning:
Dad goes out and leaves Bruce in charge of his baby sister.

Write the opening paragraph for this story called 'Babysitting'. Make it interesting, so someone would want to read the rest of the story.
Notes for the beginning: Dad goes out and leaves Bruce in charge of his baby sister.

What if your dad left you in charge of your baby sister, and she suddenly started floating towards the ceiling?

Bruce gaped as his 6-month-old sister Emily giggled and drifted upwards, her tiny hands reaching for the light fixture. Dad had just walked out, leaving 12-year-old Bruce "in charge" for the first time. Panicking, Bruce realized this babysitting gig was about to get very, very weird.

Write the opening paragraph for this story.
Title: 'Wondering about having another egg'

Plan for beginning: Parisa has an egg for breakfast

Write the opening paragraph for this story.
Title: 'Wondering about having another egg'

Plan for beginning: Parisa has an egg for breakfast

Parisa cracked the egg into the sizzling pan, watching as the white spread and the yolk settled in the center. As she waited for her breakfast to cook, a thought suddenly struck her: What if she had another egg? She glanced at the carton on the counter, considering the possibility. What if that second egg held the key to an extraordinary day? What if it contained a magical yolk that could grant wishes? Or what if it hatched into a tiny dragon, ready to be her new companion? Parisa's mind raced with possibilities as she stared at her lone egg in the pan, wondering if she should reach for another.

Wondering About Having Another Egg

Ending

• Surprise Ending

A surprise ending catches the reader off guard and ends the story in an unexpected way. It may be foreshadowed throughout the narrative, but it still manages to surprise the reader.

This type of ending often leaves readers wanting to reread the story to understand how all the pieces fit together.

A good story ending ties up the loose ends so you're not left wondering what happened. Use these notes to help you write an ending paragraph for this story.

Beginning Plan: Abed and Rebecca are exploring the attic in an old house.

Middle Plan: The door slams and locks behind them - there are trapped.

A good story ending ties up the loose ends so you're not left wondering what happened. Use these notes to help you write an ending paragraph for this story.

Beginning Plan: Abed and Rebecca are exploring the attic in an old house.

Middle Plan: The door slams and locks behind them - there are trapped.

As they frantically searched for a way out, Abed's hand brushed against a dusty bookshelf. Suddenly, a soft click echoed through the attic, and the door creaked open. But to their shock, standing in the doorway was... Abed himself, holding a set of old keys. ‘I’ve been waiting for you,’ he said with a strange smile. Rebecca gasped, realising that the real Abed was still standing right beside her.