Creative Writing Story Starters

Creative writing lesson · Grades 6–12 · Slides, guide, worksheet · $3

Starting is the hardest part of writing a story for most kids. This lesson gives them four concrete ways to start: Set-Up, Talking, Landscape, and Character. It works for grades 6-12.

It opens with a think-pair-share on what's hardest about writing a story. Then each starter gets a definition, a model opening, and a 3-minute writing attempt. Students write all four openings for the same story.

At the end they reread their four attempts and decide which one shares the most information, which is the most engaging, and which they like best. That's the one they keep.

What's included

• Slide lesson (.pptx) with think-pair-share opener and 4 starter types
• A model opening for each starter
• Four timed 3-minute writing attempts
• Story starters guide with the purpose, example, and brainstorm steps for each type (editable Google Doc)
• Brainstorm worksheet with a box for each attempt and 3 reflection questions (editable Google Doc)

How teachers use it

• First day of a narrative or creative writing unit
• One class period
• Revisit when students are stuck on a draft's opening

Topics: intervention, rti, mtss, sped, slides, powerpoint, presentation, middle, school, high, grade, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12