KOALA ShortlistStory Hooks and Sizzling Starts

First Lines...do they meet the criteria?1. Make your readers wonder. Put a question in your readers’ minds. What do those first lines mean? What’s going to happen? Make them wonder, and you’ll keep them reading.

2. Begin at a pivotal moment. By starting at an important moment in the story, your reader is more likely to want to continue so he or she can discover what will happen next.

3. Create an interesting picture.Description is good when it encourages people to paint a picture in their minds. Often, simple is best so it’s the reader who imagines a scene, instead of simply being told by the author.

4. Introduce an intriguing character.The promise of reading more about a character you find intriguing will, no doubt, draw you into a story’s narrative. Most often, this is one of the main characters in the book.

5. Start with an unusual situation. Show us characters in unusual circumstances, and we’ll definitely be sticking around to see what it’s all about

Which criteria? Story Hooks Your ranking

1-9

Dad was flabbergasted when I told him the news.

My dog was licking the guy’s face like it was gelato.

This is my friend Terry. We live in a tree.

Andy looked around in disgust as the truck shifted gears and he was shoved against the backside of a cow.

They've got horses!’ gasped Kristin.

This is my mum. She looks normal, but she’s not.

It’s Friday afternoon. I’m sitting down the back of the class minding my own business.

The young boy crept through the dark city streets.

My town is exactly four hundred and twenty-two kilometres from the ocean.

Years 3 and 4 books – evaluate these first lines

Which criteria? Story Hooks Your ranking

1-9

Dad was flabbergasted when I told him the news.

My dog was licking the guy’s face like it was gelato.

‘You keep runnin’, you’ll only go to jail tired,’ Ben Silver muttered.

‘I think we should reset the mast about a metre further aft,’ Hal said.

They've got horses!’ gasped Kristin.

Mama tells everyone that I’m gifted and talented.

‘Oh Simon, you look so grown-up in your Australian blazer,’ Specky’s mum gushed as she wrapped her arm’s around him.

The young boy crept through the dark city streets.

My town is exactly four hundred and twenty-two kilometres from the ocean.

Years 5 and 6 books – evaluate these first lines using the criteria