The opening is the first thing the marker reads, so it sets their expectations for the whole story. A strong first line makes them want to read on. A weak one ("One day I woke up and had breakfast") makes the story feel ordinary before it has begun.
The good news is that there are a handful of reliable ways to open a story, and children can learn them in advance. On the day, they just pick the one that suits the title or picture they are given.
Why it matters in the 11+
Many 11+ stories are written in 30 to 50 minutes, so there's no time to warm up slowly. An opening that drops the reader straight into the story saves time and shows confidence.
Openings are also a natural place to show off ambitious vocabulary, varied sentences and punctuation, which are things most writing markers notice.
How to do it, step by step
Start late
Begin as close to the exciting part as you can. Skip waking up, breakfast and the car journey. If the story is about a storm at sea, start on the boat.
Choose an opening type
Pick one of the six types below. Have a favourite or two ready, so you don't waste time deciding on the day.
Hook with something unanswered
The best openings leave a small question in the reader's mind: Who is shouting? Why is the door open? What is in the box?
Follow up quickly
Your second and third sentences should tell the reader where we are and who we're with, without a long explanation.
Keep it short
An opening paragraph of three to five sentences is usually enough. Then move on to the build-up.
Before and after examples
Each example starts with a plain sentence, then shows how the technique improves it.
Before
One day, I went to the park and I saw a dog run away.
After
The lead snapped out of my hand, and Biscuit was gone: a brown blur racing towards the lake.
Why it works: We start in the middle of the action, with a problem already happening.
Before
My brother told me not to go in the attic.
After
"Whatever you do," whispered Ollie, "don't open the green trunk."
Why it works: Speech brings in a character's voice straight away, and the warning makes us want to open the trunk.
Before
This is a story about when I found a strange key.
After
Have you ever found something you knew you were not supposed to keep?
Why it works: A question speaks directly to the reader and pulls them in. Use it once, not three times in a row.
Before
It was a normal Tuesday at school.
After
Every clock in Ashgrove Primary stopped at exactly 10:14, and nobody could say why.
Why it works: Something strange is stated calmly. The reader immediately wants an explanation.
Before
The forest was dark and scary.
After
Pine needles crunched under my trainers, and somewhere above the black branches an owl began to call.
Why it works: Sounds and textures build atmosphere in a single sentence.
Before
I want to tell you about my grandad.
After
My grandad had only ever told one lie, and it was the best thing that happened to our family.
Why it works: A surprising claim makes the reader curious about what comes next.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
Mistake: Starting with waking up, getting dressed or eating breakfast.
Fix: Start at the moment the story really begins.
Mistake: "Hello, my name is Ella and I am ten."
Fix: Introduce characters through what they're doing, not with a self-introduction.
Mistake: Writing a whole page of description before anything happens.
Fix: One strong paragraph of setting at most, then get the story moving.
Mistake: Using a question opening and then never answering it.
Fix: Make sure the story answers the question by the end.
Try it
About 10 minutesTake the title "The Locked Door" and write three different opening lines for it, each using a different type from this page.
- Write one action opening.
- Write one dialogue opening.
- Write one mystery or bold-statement opening.
- Read them aloud and pick the one that makes you most want to read on.
Finished? Read it aloud: if a sentence sounds flat, try it again. When you're ready to write a whole story, pick a title from the free story prompts.