How might a writer want a reader to feel when reading the beginning of a Halloween story?

Halloween Story Starters
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Halloween Story Starters
How might a writer want a reader to feel when reading the beginning of a Halloween story?
scared;
anxious;
nervous;
excited;
intrigued to find out what happens next;
eager to read on!

Halloween Story Starters
Halloween Story Starters
When writing a Halloween story starter, we can use a number of different techniques to captivate the reader and make them want to read on. As our stories are Halloween-themed, we want to create a spooky and mysterious atmosphere.
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Halloween Story Starters
Setting Descriptions
Stories can open with a setting description; this helps the reader to vividly imagine that they are in the place where your story begins. We can use our senses to help when writing setting descriptions.
The forest was deadly silent. Knotted, tangled branches pointed like witches’ fingers towards the silver, full moon. On the forest floor, decaying, rotten leaves spread across the damp soil like a mouldy carpet.
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Halloween Story Starters
Setting Descriptions
Can you use your senses to create a setting description about this haunted house?
Think about what you can see, hear, smell, feel and perhaps taste.
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Halloween Story Starters
Character Descriptions
Stories can open with a character description. We can use interesting adjectives to describe a character effectively and make the reader intrigued to find out more about them.
A mysterious figure shuffled slowly along the path. Her frail body was hunched over and she muttered grumpily to herself as she edged closer towards the door. Her crooked hand extended with long, curling fingernails as she reached slowly for the brass door handle.
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Halloween Story Starters
Character Descriptions
How would you describe this character?
Try to use interesting adjectives to describe the character’s appearance.
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Halloween Story Starters
Action
Stories can open with action. Starting with action engages the reader immediately with the story.
Priya ran as quickly as her legs could move through the misty forest. She heard the heavy footsteps catching up to her but she didn’t dare stop to look at who was behind. All of a sudden, she caught her leg on an overgrown branch and tumbled head first into a pile of rotten leaves…
An ellipsis can be used to create suspense and tension.
Punctuation Top Tip
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Halloween Story Starters
Action
Continue the extract below by writing the next two sentences. How could you include action?
Above the fire, the cauldron hissed and crackled and sparks flew like fireworks into the sky.
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Halloween Story Starters
Dialogue
Stories can open with dialogue. Dialogue immediately introduces your reader to the characters involved in your story and allows the reader to get to know the characters more.
“Don’t move, David! There’s an enormous spider on your shoulder,” shrieked Kelly as she shivered in fear.
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Dialogue
Can you create a story starter that uses dialogue about this picture of a wolf?
Halloween Story Starters
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Halloween Story Starters
Rhetorical Questions
Stories can open with a rhetorical question. A rhetorical question is a question that is not answered straight away and it is often used to create dramatic effect. It leaves the reader wanting to find out more.
Where did the door lead to? When would Matt return?
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Halloween Story Starters
Rhetorical Questions
Can you create a rhetorical question about this pumpkin?
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Halloween Story Starters
End
Halloween Story Starters
To Recap:
a setting description;
a character description;
action;
dialogue;
a rhetorical question.
When writing a Halloween story starter, we can use a number of different techniques to engage the reader, such as opening with:
Remember to try to use effective vocabulary to create a mysterious and spooky atmosphere for your Halloween-themed stories.