Elements of a Great First Line: Deep Dive Part VIII
Engages the Reader
Today we’re looking at first lines that
Engage the reader
The picture above isn’t entirely fitting because it shows a kid so enthralled with a book that they stay up late to read. But it isn’t too much of a stretch, I don’t think, to say that a book that engages a reader from the first line would keep that reader up late reading. (Ignoring the fact that picture books don’t take that long too read…) ANYWAY. Let’s talk about first lines that engage the reader. Here I’m talking about first lines that break that fourth wall, that invite the reader to be part of the story in some way. It might ask the reader a question, as with the first title in this list. Or offer an ode to the magnificence of the reader, as in the second title. Or it might declare an assumption about the reader, thereby inviting the reader to reflect on whether that assumption is true. Probably the ultimate book on this list that engages the reader is the final title, which invites the reader to take action that presumes to have an actual effect on the pages. Kids love to be part of the story, which is why repeating refrains are so popular. Once kids know them, they can recite them along with an adult reading the story aloud. But engaging the reader is different because it makes the reader feel special, like the author is writing just to them. This type of first line doesn’t work for every story, but maybe it’s worth experimenting to see if it would work for yours.
By Lana Button, art by Christine Battuz
First line: Hi! What’s your name?