At WRITERS AT WORK, we know that starting a composition can feel like the hardest part of writing a story. You stare at the blank page, and your mind goes blank too! Don’t worry — this guide will show you simple and powerful ways to begin your story with confidence. Whether you’re practising on your own, taking part in an English writing class for primary school, or joining a Primary School holiday composition writing programme, mastering your story’s opening is a skill you can definitely learn.
WRITERS AT WORK students know all too well the importance of planning ahead, especially with our STORYBANKING technique. Students must first consider the entirety of their plot by drawing upon story topics they’ve encountered in their lessons. Even before diving into writing, by adapting these stories into a starting framework, this method of preparation can help them decide the best introduction to jumpstart their desired narratives.
Why Does a Good Start Matter?
Your first few lines are super important because they:
- Grab your reader’s attention
- Set the mood and tone of your story
- Give hints about the main problem or theme
When you start strong, it becomes much easier (and more fun!) to continue writing your story.
5 Best Ways to Start Your Composition
There are many ways to start a story, but these five methods are tried-and-true favourites that we love teaching at WRITERS AT WORK!
1. Start with a Sound (Onomatopoeia)
Using a sound grabs your reader’s attention right away and brings the scene to life.
Example:
“Crash! The window shattered as the soccer ball flew through it.”
Why it works:
- Makes your story exciting from the first word
- Instantly pulls your reader into the action
- Creates a clear, vivid image in the reader’s mind
Quick tip:
Use sound words (like Bang!, Swoosh!, Thud!) carefully so your story still flows naturally.
2. Start with Action
Jump straight into the action to make your reader feel like they are right there with your characters.
Example:
“I sprinted across the muddy field, clutching the golden trophy tightly.”
Why it works:
- Builds excitement fast
- Makes readers curious about what’s happening
- Keeps the story lively
Quick tip:
Describe your actions with strong verbs like raced, grabbed, leaped to make your writing more powerful.
3. Start with Dialogue
Starting with someone speaking makes your story feel alive and real.
Example:
“‘Are you sure this is a good idea?’ I whispered to my best friend as we tiptoed into the empty classroom.”
Why it works:
- Shows what kind of characters you have
- Sets up the story’s conflict quickly
- Makes the reader want to know more
Quick tip:
Add actions or feelings around the dialogue to make it even more interesting.
4. Start with a Thought or Feeling
Beginning with what your character is thinking or feeling helps readers connect with your story.
Example:
“I had never felt so nervous before. My palms were sweaty, and my heart was pounding like a drum.”
Why it works:
- Builds emotion and interest
- Lets the reader step inside the character’s mind
- Sets up the story’s mood
Quick tip:
Use strong emotion words like thrilled, terrified, relieved, instead of simple ones like happy or sad.
5. Start with a Description
Paint a clear picture in your reader’s mind by describing where your story takes place.
Example:
“The carnival was a sea of twinkling lights, cheerful laughter, and the mouth-watering smell of popcorn.”
Why it works:
- Sets the scene clearly
- Creates the right mood for your story
- Helps readers visualise everything
Quick tip:
Use your five senses — sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch — to make your description more real!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some mistakes you should watch out for when starting your composition:
- Being too general: (“One day, something happened.”)
- Starting too slowly: Taking forever to reach the main event.
- Using overused phrases: (“It was a dark and stormy night.”)
- Including unrelated details: Going off-topic before your story even begins.
How You Can Practise Better Story Openings
Want to become a pro at starting your compositions? Try these simple exercises:
- Opening Challenge: Pick a starting method (sound, action, dialogue, feeling, description) and write a short opening paragraph every day.
- Story Starter Cards: Make cards with different starting ideas and pick one randomly to start a new story.
- Rewrite the Start: Take the opening of your favourite book and rewrite it using a different method!
STORYBANKING® with WRITERS AT WORK
By attending WRITERS AT WORK’s English tuition classes, students gain a stronger advantage in boosting their PSLE AL score, thanks to our signature STORYBANKING® method. Students never have to struggle with a blank page staring back at them during the pressures of an exam. Our STORYBANKING® approach helps students build greater confidence when faced with unexpected prompts, such as this year’s image of a festival tent. Students who have mastered STORYBANKING® can tap into their personal mind banks of creative phrases and stories that serve as a reliable framework for their narratives. At WRITERS AT WORK, we teach students to sharpen their observation skills and draw on real-life experiences, so that they can craft more vivid, meaningful stories. The more students engage with their surroundings, the more prepared and assured they will feel when approaching new writing topics.
More From WRITERS AT WORK
Attain Stellar Results with WRITERS AT WORK!
English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website, watch our YouTube videos and catch us LIVE on TikTok!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Do You Learn in English Writing Class?
Learning what the question wants is just as important as learning how to answer it. Next, students will learn how to use the Plot Curve to craft logical and coherent plots, and interesting, well-developed characters, all the while learning key phrases which broaden their vocabulary. Students will use ideas from all the lessons taught at W@W in the exam.
2. How Can I Improve My Child’s Creative Writing Skills?
One way to enhance a child’s creative writing skills is by reading model compositions. After all, children cannot write about what they do not know. By reading how good essays are written and attempting to imitate them, children will pick up sentence mechanics and vocabulary they can use in their own exams. Reading more will also give students ideas about the various contexts they can write an essay about as they will be able to broaden their horizon of experiences.
3. Why is It Important to Take Writing Classes?
Writing is the most challenging literacy skill to teach because it is a combination of many different skills and abilities. Students must be logical and creative when writing to create a coherent plot while remembering how to use the correct sentence mechanics. Furthermore, a wide range of vocabulary suited to the context must be used to create the correct imagery and tone.
4. What Age Do Kids Start Creative Writing?
Children typically begin creative writing in primary school. In Singapore, children are required to do Situational Writing and Composition for their PSLE exams in Primary 6. They may begin with simple prompts and first learn how to craft basic sentences, then progress to telling a story with a coherent plot which has a source of tension and then a resolution.
