I have to take a minute and brag on my 5th graders, especially since I won’t be able to next year. My students all wrote fiction stories and we’ve been revising in class. Lately, we’ve talked a lot about the importance of an engaging first line. I read them a bunch of first lines from books 5th graders like (or don’t) and we critiqued them together. Then we answered this question:
What do all good first lines have in common?
Their answer?
They pull the reader into the story by raising a question.
I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a pretty awesome answer. The kids took that bit of advice and rolled with it. They gave me permission to publish some on my blog.
So without further ado…..first lines from America’s next generation of writers:
Many times, stories have characters and characters have goals. Most of the time, characters will reach these goals no matter what stands in their way. But I am different. I didn’t reach my goal. I chose not to. And it all paid off.
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Vandalism. Robberies. I’ve witnessed them all. But nothing could have prepared me for this.
Let’s Talk: How would you answer that question? What makes a first good line?
Those are really fun and definitely engaging.
Have you read this post I found on first lines? http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-page-of-first-lines.html
I know that sounds like a SPAM question, but it's not. haha
The post is really neat because the blogger took a bunch of first lines and made a first page out of them. Kind of fun.
I love them!! YEAH for middle schoolers – or almost middle schoolers. Aren't they the BEST?
I'm thinking your 5th graders are smart because they have a smart teacher!! Have fun these last few weeks of the school year and I hope all is well!
Oh my goodness! LOL They're geniuses. Love those first lines. π
I think what makes a great first line is not only asking a question, but making it something someone would want to know the answer to.
Kids are so creative. Those are great first lines.
Wow, Katie! I LOVE this. How cool that these kids get to learn writing from a published author. I bet they'll be talking about you when they're 30. π
Katie – and Katie's class – these are amazing! I really hope you're all writing the rest of the stories. Katie, I totally get this. I love when my class blows me away with their clever ideas!
Guess Who – I know who you are! Your name starts with a C and ends with an aroline. Am I right?
I added yours in this morning when you handed me your story. I had to have it in there. It's SO good!
Hi Katie –
We writers better stay on our toes. There are a whole lot of talented kids chasing us.
Blessings,
Susan π
Katie, or should I say, Mrs. Ganshert. You finally made the post! And when did you read my first line? I don't remember giving it to you. But this is really cool to re-read everyone else's lines. See you tomorrow!
P.S. I'm working on my story right now.
I think your students have a better grasp on the concept of first lines than some adult writers. Good for them! They are a very impressive bunch. And they clearly have an excellent teacher!
Those are so awesome! Who can top that?
Oh wow!! They are good! I need to borrow one of your kids for my first line!
Wow, those are some amazing lines and amazing fifth graders! Just shows ya how capable kids are if we just take the time to train them up in things. How lucky they are to have you for a teacher, Katie!
I have to agree with your class. A good first line raises a question in the readers mind. "What does that mean? Where's this going? How are they going to get out of this?" It all must make me want to read further to find the answer.
Good job!
These are great! They certainly have the idea down that a book must start w/ some kind of intrigue or mystery.
First lines slip by me usually–they don't seem that important to me as a reader. But I do think they're important to agents and editors because of the quantity of books they read. A good hook will definitely stand out to them.
Fantastic! You have future novelists on your hands. Seriously, they were great!
Wow. I'm impressed! You must be a really good teacher to get those first lines out of your kiddos.
Great openings from your kids! We could all take a leaf out of their books.
Some great first lines! Fifth grade is about the time I started writing down the stories constantly running through my head, and my teacher had a lot to do with it. I've often wished I could thank him now but haven't been able to track him down.
These are great!
Those are fantastic opening lines! Your kiddos did a great job!
Wow! Awesome little authors you have there! How exciting to be nurturing young minds and molding the next generation.
Um, Katie, rather than delete my commen above, I'll clarify. My intention wasn't to equate your talent with that of a fifth-grader. Didn't realize it could be read that way until I'd hit send. I meant talent as a relative term. You knew that, I'm sure, but I had to say it. =)
Those are great first lines. Kudos to your talented students and their equally talented teacher.
I love this. I'm doing a writing workshop with my kids today and I think I might pull up your post. Hey, you're cyber teaching! I think the first line of a novel sets the tone for sure.
Posing a question in the reader's mind is definitely in my answer. They've done an awesome job. You must be sooooo proud of them!!
The more crunched for time I get the more picky I get. First lines have to grab me.
And what smart students…yes, I need to be asking a question.
I'm really ready to read Breanna and Ashy's books. π
~ Wendy
This really made me smile today. I love first lines, too. I might have to compile some of my own favorite first lines for a future blog post. I do spend a lot of time with my students trying to express the importance of that first line (and the title, too). Thanks for sharing from your newest followr.
-Miss GOP
They did a great job on opening lines. I'm sure the rest of their stories were wonderful. One day I want to rule Mars too, or just my own household aka zoo! π
Those are cute. Enjoy the end of your year!
I like first lines that capture the humor and tone of the main character and pull me into the story. It usually surprises me in some way.
As the mother of a fifth grader, let me just say…Awesome! (I'll have to read these lines to my son.) Your students did a fantastic job pinning down the engaging first line. Tell them this reader would definitely keep reading each one of their stories. Thanks for sharing. π
One of the things I do whenever I go to the library is open several random books and read (and jot down) first lines. Seeing what works, and what doesn't work (IMO, of course), is a good training tool for me.
Barb
Those are some awesome opening lines, coming from such young kids.
What they said is exactly what I think about first lines. π