Short Story Introductions

Short Story Introductions

Short story introductions need to be engaging, explanatory and elaborate. Without certain key features, your short story introduction may not fit this criteria.

What should be included in a standard short story introduction?

Linear story introductions need to include:

- The main characters.

- The setting/location.

- Any background information.

- And, the time.

On top of this, to create an interesting introduction, include a 'hook' sentence, that grabs the reader's attention, and urges them to continue reading.

An example of a short story introduction:

I’m not sure how long it was before I realized that the shuttle train never stopped, probably about the time it dawned on me that the people who had gotten on with me were gone. The train is supposed to run from Grand Central to Times Square, one stop, five minutes at the absolute most. But it had been… how long had it been? I don’t know, I was reading my book. I can space out pretty bad sometimes...

https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing prompts/contests/87/submissions/61285/

Another example of a short story introduction:

The light that fills the room feels cold and blue, tinted by the shades across the window. This window faces south, so the light trickles in slowly and at first I can ignore it, but eventually I must open my eyes to this underwater light and take a deep breath in. 

https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/contests/84/submissions/58256/

How can I make my short story introduction even better?

Incorporate simple, complex and compound sentences into your introducton, use complex vocab, and use highly desriptive words that are NOT cliché.

Poll

Do you like or dislike this short story introduction?

"As the sun dropped below the horizon, the safari guide confirmed the approaching cape buffaloes were herbivores, which calmed everyone in the group, except for Herb, of course."

• Like

• Dislike

Poll

Do you like or dislike this short story introduction?

"It was a dark and stormy night, the rain was pelting at the thin, glass windows, like it was pleading to be let in."

• Like

• Dislike