BUSINESS 128 [M] [1]
[2] [3] [4] -
Classroom A -
Classroom B
Lesson 2: Forming the Foundation
There are two things we do not want to happen in our opening: 1. We
do NOT want to confuse the reader, and 2. We do NOT want the reader to
resent the writer. If our opening is weak or fuzzy or if the opening has
little to do with the rest of the story, we will unfortunately
accomplish both.
We don't want the reader to think we're playing games and are not
organized. This is a sure fire way to lose the reader. The writer must
start things off well so there will be a 'progression of conflict-laden
events that will lead to a conclusion." If our opening doesn't push the
reader on, then our story goes nowhere. The opening has to set the tone
for the rest of the book. Noble says, in Conflict, Action, Suspense,
" . . .if we're dealing with a mystery at sea, we wouldn't want to
begin with a rambling discourse about the romance of the sea and the
artful meshing of clouds and birds . . ."
Our foundation must include:
1. an event that will prove pivotal later
2. one or more characters who will figure prominently later on
3. a writing style that will set the tone for all that follows
Our foundation must be sturdy enough and substantial enough to support
our story. Noble asks us to consider this: "Would an opening that
develops gradual psychological tension be a proper building block under
a story that races from event to event? Probably not. The reader would
only get confused because of the change in tone. Would a short, snappy
opening be a better block? Probably."Our opening should have conflict. Whether through dialogue or narration,
it must have a touch of atmosphere. You want everything that happens in
your opening hook to be linked to later events.
Assignment 2: Read the opening pages of Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis
Carroll. Look for conflict, atmosphere. What is the event taking place?
Exercise: Write an opening hook (2 to 3 paragraphs should do it) using
one of the following:
- A woman at her mother's boring and heartbreaking funeral starts
thinking she should call off the wedding.
- A boy is about to go off to college. He places his guitar carefully
in the back seat. His mother is standing in the doorway crying and his
father is checking the noise coming from the engine.
- A woman comes home from work and is about to discover her boyfriend's
lover, or so she thinks.
- A man is standing on a railroad bridge looking down into the water
twenty feet below.
- A military officer asks a mystic if he should send his troops into
war.
Post your opening hook to the board.
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