Beginning a Composition

Here are some alternative ways to begin a composition:

- SOUND EFFECTS

“Arrrrgh!” Jacy shrieked as the spider crawled up her leg. She regretted agreeing to go on the hike. In fact, she had regretted her decision the moment she stepped onto the trail.

- DIALOGUES

“Why did I ever agree to this hike?” Mona sighed. She looked around her. Everyone seemed bright and cheerful. No one seemed to mind their heavy knapsacks or the mosquitoes buzzing around.

- ACTIONS

Shifting her knapsack, Jamie kept her eyes on the trail. It was muddy and full of twists and turns. It looked treacherous, and dangerous. She did not think she could make it all the way to the end.

- DESCRIPTIONS (weather, characters, settings etc.)

Dark clouds drifted across the sky, carried by a gusty wind. Soon, they blocked out the Sun. Britney looked up, worried that an impending storm might turn the hard-packed trail into a river of mud.

- FLASHBACK

Christina’s lips were sore and dry. Licking them, she recalled how the first flames had started. That had been a narrow escape.

- BEGIN WITH THE PRESENT AND GO BACK TO THE PAST

Everytime I hear the song “Reach”, I am reminded of the time I made a fool of myself on stage…

- A STARTLING FACT

I nearly died one Sunday morning. I remember that it was a sweltering day. I had asked Zack and Cody to go swimming with me at the Singapore Swimming Club.

- CLIMAX

“I hate you Mr Crab!” Patrick screamed and dashed out of the classroom in tears. The whole class was silent as they watched Patrick stomp out.

- QUESTION

Have you ever done anything stupid in your life? I mean, something so stupid that it almost cost you your life?

- PERSONAL FEELINGS/ THOUGHTS

I know that no one will ever believe me, but it is true. I really saw an angel! She had wings like the angels I had seen in pictures and she carried a bunch of flowers. There was a light coming from her. She appeared out of nowhere and assisted me when I needed help.

- PROVERBS/ QUOTES/ HEADLINES

Matt cried as he felt the first hard blows from the principal’s cane. He regretted his earlier actions and finally understood that honesty is the best policy…

- DRAMATICALLY

“Bang!” the door slammed shut and Sheila was left all alone, with the bucket stuck to her foot, clutching the frightened white kitten.

- TRADITIONALLY

There was once a wrinkled old man who walked with a limp. Whenever he hobbled along, all the children would run to hide. All of them, except…