Engaging Beginnings & Reflective Closings

This week we have been working to strengthen the openings and closings of our story.  We learned that a good author hooks the reader by pulling them in immediately.  We discussed various strategies for hooking readers and found that most books pull readers in using a sound effect (BAM, WHOOSH, etc.), a question (Have your eyes ever been bigger than your stomach?), an interesting fact (According to the Internet, there have been zero reported cases of death by onion overconsumption.  One day last fall, I nearly changed that statistic from 0 to 1.), strong feeling (There's nothing more revolting than vegetables.  They are slimy and disgusting in every way.  They take forever to chew and are impossible to swallow.), or interesting dialogue ("Mom, please answer the phone.  It's an emergency!").

In J.T.'s story, he utilizes an interesting fact to pull readers in right away.  His story is about a time his dad ruined his lunch; luckily mom swooped in to save the day!

His beginning:  2.3 million people buy ramen noodles each month.  With it being so popular, you would think that EVERYONE knows how to make it.  That is not true.  My dad doesn't know how, and once he ruined my lunch.  It all started in the kitchen...

Lynethe lures readers into her story, about her mom's secret soup recipe, with a sound effect.

Her beginning:  CHOP!  CHOP!  CHOP! My mom's knife sliced through the chicken meat she was cutting up to make soup...

We also learned that our closings need to be strong.  The best way to make sure you have a strong finish in a memoir is to include three elements:  a resolution of the problem/how the characters end up, a lesson learned, and what you were thinking and feeling about your experience.  We will still be working on closings for the remainder of the week, but below are some strong examples that really bulk up the story and leave the reader feeling satisfied.

In Sydney's story about making meatballs with her mom, she doesn't listen to her mom's advice and ends up with a vicious burn.

Her closing:  As my family sat down at the table and my mom was serving us, I cut a meatball in half and put it in my mouth.  I could feel the crumbs of the meatballs on the roof of my mouth.  The sweet explosion of flavors came over me as I gobbled up the tomato sauce.  As I chewed, I began to think about what went wrong.  (Resolution)
After a few months passed by, I learned that even if you think you do something right, you could still do something wrong.  It's important to put confidence aside sometimes and really listen to advice from others.  (Lesson Learned)
I found that you're not as perfect as you think you are.  Next time I make meatballs with my mom, I will be careful and wear an oven glove because there's nothing more painful than the oven searing your flesh and sizzling off your skin! (Feelings)

In Grace's story, the kids are fighting over a special family treat they prepare with their great grandmother.  The fight makes her feel like she "has the weight of 50 math books in her backpack."

Her closing:  We all shared.  There was no fighting.  We all got a piece.  The orange jell-o flopped on my spoon and when it went in my mouth, the sweetness filled my mouth with joy.  It was so delicious.  I could taste the sweet orange and sour lemon in my mouth.  My taste buds were so happy.  Every bite made me say, "Yum!" (Resolution)
We learned that we always need to share.  Even though it is so good and delicious, sharing is a good choice. (Lesson)
When we share it is more peaceful, and it makes my great grandma proud. (Feelings)