Narrative beginnings

Over the last few weeks in Room 4 we have been learning to write narratives to entertain the reader.  Today we worked really hard on writing interesting beginnings that hook the reader and make them want to carry on reading.  We experimented by starting with:

• direct speech
• describing the setting
• describing a character
• describing an action
• the problem

Here are a sample of our exciting story beginnings at choosing a new pet...

Annie sprang from the couch and screamed in horror as her mum pulled up the driveway.  Annie's mum had just run over Annie's favourite fluffy, soft, adorable puppy, which was splattered on the ground like a pancake.  "Ahhhhh" Annie screamed.       - Lucy W

Smelly, cute pets everywhere.  "Oh no Mum, why are people crowding around that cage?"   - Lucie C

As Emma glanced around the pet shop she heard cats meowing, birds squawking, dogs barking and so much more.   - Emma

"Mum, Mum, Mum can I please get a fish?  They're totally in right now," begged Becky as they walked by the pet shop.
"OK, just til you can prove you can take care of one" replied Mum.    - Alex

Suddenly a rat bit open the water tank.  Water poured everywhere....  - Rylee

Big, bulky, bossy, smelly and 15.  William really wanted a pet skunk.  He loved them.  - Blake

Cassy and her mum were just running down the street.  Then Cassy suddenly stopped in front of a paddock with a chestnut pony and sign saying 'For Sale'.   - Kate

As Rubie cartwheeled to the pet shop all excited about getting a new pet, she saw a fire... - Rubie

Mr Kurt the pet shop owner hated pets.  No-one knows why.    - Jay

As a house is set on fire, Jake's dog Snuffles was stuck on the roof.  Firemen climbed up the building trying to get the dog but they were too late.    - George

Connie opened the door.  Dogs, cats, monkeys and mice got out of their cages.  Connie screamed.  - Paris

Jay loves pets.  He reads books about pets and watches programmes about pets.   - Hamish

Birds, dogs, mice, stinky smells in the animals litter.  Squeak, squeak the birds squeak.  Mice were scrambling like bubbling hot dogs.  Woof woof, dogs barked in the dark at night in the pet shop.
"This is so cute" people say.  "I love this, I love that."
"Hurry up Emily, choose" said her mum.   - Jessica

Cats meowing, bird's chirping, puppies barking! It's like a pet mania store!  So many to choose from for a little girl.  - Mac

Rggggygggg. The tyres stopped and screeched.  Blake raced to the pet shop.  Cats.  Where are the cats?  "Fluffy, there you are." - William

"Mr Jay, what's your quietest pet?  I'd like that one please Mr Jay."
"Sorry Blake, that one is not for sale kid.  Go home.  And don't come back!"  - Regen

7 year old Emma loved animals.  She really wanted a pet. 
"OK choose a pet" said Mum.
"This one.  So many pets to  choose from" replied Emma.   - Lucy S

All the shelves fell down.  Emily was screaming her lungs out as a rattle snake was surrounding her legs...   - Connie

Alex was a ten year old boy.  He was bossy and growly.   - Venessa

Rubie is now 12 and she is allowed to get a pet.  She has chosen to get a pet pony because she is short for her age but is old enough.  She always reads animal books.   - Abby

A gorilla hits his tummy.  The noise comes out.  Boom, boom, pow.   - Max

My pet pony got lost.  She escaped from her paddock and she never came back.  - Jenaya

As Mac walked into the vets, Mac saw a skunk.  "Get me out of here" he said.  - Kurt