Techniques to begin your story

An interesting beginning is as important as an interesting ending. An interesting beginning will catch the reader's attention and make him/her want to continue reading. A good ending will make him/her feel satisfied.

You can START your story by:

a) using your senses to set the scene and describe the weather, atmosphere, surroundings or people's actions to create mystery or suspense; e.g. I could hear the wind howling around me. It was quite dark that night and it felt strange to be out in the wilderness all alone.

b) using direct speech; e.g. "Always look on the bright side of life, kids", Mr Frisbain used to tell us.

c) asking a rhetorical question, i.e. a question that does not require an answer. e.g. Have you ever travelled by train on a warm summer night?

d) addressing the reader directly, e.g. I am sure you all know what a bargain is.

e) referring to your feelings or moods, e.g. / was exhausted because I had been painting walls all day.

Techniques to end your story

You can END your story by:

a) using direct speech, e.g. Thank you, sir,' the boy said to me.

b) referring to your feelings or moods, e.g. We were shivering but we were happy to have made it.

c) asking a rhetorical question. e.g. 'Why did I have to suffer so much?'

d) describing people's reactions to/feelings about the events developed in the main body. e.g. My brother had become the hero of the day and I was extremely proud.

Useful Vocabulary

Background:

The film/book tells the story of...

The film/story is set in ...

The book/novel was written by ...

The film is directed by...

It is a comedy/horror film/love story.

Main points of the plot:

The story concerns/is about/begins... The plot is (rather) boring/thrilling. The plot has an unexpected twist.

General Comments:

It is rather long/boring/confusing/slow.

The cast is excellent/awful/unconvincing.

The script is dull/exciting.

It is beautifully/poorly/badly written.

It has a tragic/dramatic end.

Recommendations:

Don't miss it. It is well worth seeing. I wouldn't recommend it because... I highly/thoroughly recommend it. It's bound to be a box-office hit. Wait until it comes out on video. It is a highly entertaining read. It's a bore to read.

To make suggestions:

A useful suggestion would be to... Another solution... ... could be solved by... Steps/Measures should be taken in order to solve/deal with... Another way to... is/would be to... The situation could be improved if /by...

It would be a good idea if/to... It would help if you/we...

To present results and consequences:

This would...

Then...

By doing this, you/we/etc would...

If... ..., the result would be...

The effect/consequence/result of ... would be... In this way,...

X

Nobody has ever yet learned how to write well by memorizing rules or trying consciously to write by them. Good writing comes only from good thinking, set down in simple and natural speech, and afterwards revised in accordance with good usage. The adequate vocabulary and the feeling for this good usage can be acquired only by wide and intelligent reading. And in no other way whatsoever.

Therefore, the only advice is : Use your eyes and ears. Think. Read, read and … stll read.

LIST OF SOURCES

1.Berle G. The do-it-yourself Business Book. J.Wiley and Sons. 1988.

2.Daly H.E., Cobb J.B. For the Common Good. Beacon Press. 1994.

3.Daniels J.D., Radebaugh L.H. International Business. Prentice Hall. 1993.

4.Klein G., Lambert J. The Business of Banking. Methuen and Co Ltd.1997.

5.Marshall D.H., McManus W.W. Accounting. Irwing McGraw Hill.1996

6.Salvatore D. International Economics Prentice Hall, 1995.

7.Sahlman W.A., Stevenson H.H. The Enterpreneural Venture. Harvard Business School, 1992.

8.Schoel W.F., Guiltiann J.P. Marketing. Allyn and Bacon.1996.

6.Tichy N.M., Devonna M.A. The transformational Leader. John Wiley and Sons. 1990.