Snazzy Sentence Starters To Bring A Short Story To Life

Bring a descri ptive story to life with snazzy sentence starters!

To avoid boring sentences starting with it, they, he, she, there and the, try these for size...

A) Always aim for sentence variety using some of these phrases.

Adverbs Prepositions Random phrases Conjunctions

Momentarily, Before Without a second to lose, Until now Astonishingly, Ahead From nowhere, Afterwards Desperately, Above Somewhat alarmingly, Through Ominously, Beneath In a moment of panic, Unless Nervously, Beyond Within seconds, Yet Unusually, At the end Without warning, As Spitefully, Against Strangely enough, Then

Key idea: To introduce more emotive language, as well as pace.

B)

Start with a noun and adjective to avoid starting sentences like these: I could see/hear/smell etc.

Black smoke poured from... Terror consumed me... Icy air assaulted my ears...

Key idea: Put the subject at the start to hook the reader`s interest in seconds.

C)

Start sentences with past participle verbs (they end with ing):

Sobbing, I clutched... Hating every second, I... Beating the door, he...

Key idea: Add movement and emotion to a sentence.

D)

Start sentences with verbs:

Gripped by panic, I... Annoyed by the constant dripping sound, I...

Key idea: Also adds emotion and movement to a sentence.

E)

Personification can create atmosphere:

Mist strangled the innocent air... The candle flame danced seductively... Pink clouds hugged the twilight sky...

Key idea: To introduce originality and creativity to a story or descri ption.

F)

Metaphors and similes introduce poetic elements into a descri ption or narrative:

A torrent of bodies gushed from the school building. Home time!

The veil of smoke drifting menacingly over the city enshrouded each building like a...

Key idea: To create an unusual picture in the reader`s mind.

G) Alliteration allows you to draw attention to a sound, moment, character or scene.

A hooded figure flitted across the shadowy street...

Key idea: to sprinkle your writing with a sense of rhythm. Alliteration can allow you to emphasise a specific sound, sight or movement - often for dramatic effect.