When teaching my students how to write a personal narrative, I always teach them to start with writing a strong introduction, also known as an opening hook. This can be anything from starting in the middle of the action, to asking a question, to giving a surprising fact. The important thing is that it will make the reader want to keep reading to find out more! Here are some of my favorite hooks to use when introducing a personal narrative:
5 Of My Favorite Hooks for Writing a Strong Introduction
Jump right into the action!
Start with an exciting event that will make the reader want to read on. No one wants to read about your main character waking up and brushing their teeth. Start with something exciting, like your character being chased by a pack of wild dogs or winning the big game.
Use vivid descriptions.
When you’re setting the scene or introducing your characters, be sure to use lots of detail. What does the character look like? What are they wearing? What’s the temperature outside? The more specific you can be, the better. Use sensory language (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) to really bring the scene to life for your reader. You want them to feel like they are right there in the story with your character!
Ask a question.
Pose a question at the beginning of the story that will make the reader curious and want to find out the answer. Asking a question is a great way to get your readers thinking about what’s to come. Will the character be able to outrun the dogs? Will they win the game? By posing a question, you’ll keep your readers guessing and engaged.
Share an interesting fact.
Give a surprising fact related to your story that will make the reader want to keep reading to learn more. This could be something about your character or the setting. Whatever it is, make sure it is something that will pique their curiosity.
Use sound effects.
Just like dialogue, using a sound effect can be a great way to start your story. Sound effects are a great way to set the tone for your story and add an extra layer of excitement for your readers. Imagine hearing the sound of barking dogs as you’re reading about someone being chased! This could be something as simple as a door slamming shut or glass breaking. The important thing is that it draws the reader into your story and makes them want to know what happens next!
These are just a few of the ways that you can start your personal narrative with a bang! By using one of these opening hooks, you can pull your reader into your story and set the stage for an exciting adventure. So get creative and have fun – after all, that’s what writing is all about!
Practice Writing a Strong Introduction and Make it Fun!
After you read a story aloud with your class, modeling rewriting the introduction to the story! This can be a fun activity to get your whole class involved in. Use the five different types of hooks mentioned above to write the new introductions.
Here’s an example of rewriting an intro to Jack and the Beanstalk. Can you name each type of hook?
“Magic beans? What are magic beans?”
The thick, green beanstalk stretched as high as I could see. I looked up, shielding my eyes from the bright sun and watched the beanstalk wind its way into the clouds.
“MOOOOOO!”
Did you know cows never sold for less than 100 coins? When I came home with five magic beans, my mom was not happy with me.
You can get help teaching your students to write personal narratives with our Grades 2-5 Personal Narrative Writing Units!
