funny creative writing sentence starters

50 Creative One-sentence Writing Prompts That Will Make You Want To Write

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Need a few great first lines to get the ball rolling on your next story? Each of these one-sentence writing prompts gives you an opening sentence that hooks readers from the beginning. Have fun with these creative ideas as you craft your next short story or novel.

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Why Use Story Starters in Your Creative Writing Process?

You need a spark of inspiration.

Sometimes, coming up with short story ideas feels overwhelming. Maybe you have an assignment due and you don’t know where to start or perhaps you’re looking to write a little at the end of a long day but you’re creative juices have dried up. Perhaps you have a standard case of writer’s block.

Creative writing prompts with sentence starters or first lines help you overcome these challenges. Without forcing you into a certain direction, they give your story an interesting starting point. They are the kindle you use to start the fire, but tending it is up to you. Fifty people could take the exact same writing prompt and run with it in different directions, and we’d end up with fifty completely different short stories.

As you read through the list of one-line writing prompts below, don’t overthink it. Pick the one that stands out to you the most, the one that creates a dozen questions in your mind instantly.

For example, if you read the first one-sentence writing prompt below, The message inside the fortune cookie, which contained only four words, has become my fate, you immediately wonder things like who ate the cookie? where did they get it? who was it intended for? what were the four words? how did they become his/her fate?

If a first line turns you into an interrogator, you know you’ve found an idea worth exploring.

You Want to Try Something Different

Writers often get stuck in ruts. We find a formula that works for us and we repeat it. This can be great for meeting deadlines or selling stories, but it can also be limiting and boring. An occasional venture outside our comfort zones expands us as writers, exposes us to styles and storylines we might not normally pursue, and lets us play around with unfamiliar concepts.

If you’ve never explored science fiction or fantasy before, you might choose a story starter that offers an escape from reality. Or maybe you want a contemporary setting with just a touch of modern realism. Or, conversely, if you’re used to creating complex fictional worlds and magic systems, a realistic setting with a main character who’s just gotten some bad news could be out-of-the-box for you.

You’re Not a Planner — Or You Need a Break from Being a Planner

I confess: I’m a serial planner. ( This is my go-to guide for novel planning. ) The notes I make before writing a book usually come close to matching the book in length. I like to know everything before I ever write a single word. (This level of planning is probably also a form of productive procrastination).

Planning is helpful, but sometimes it feels like a barrier too. Planners can feel like they can’t write a story unless they’ve done all the planning, and if they don’t have the time or inspiration for the planning, they don’t write. It’s a convenient excuse, but it gets us nowhere.

For extreme planners like me, one-sentence writing prompts give us permission to write without a plan. We’re not trying to come up with the best way to lay the scene for the coming action or set the stage for character development. We’re parachuting into the middle of the action and it’s sink or swim.

Those questions we talked about a moment ago? The ones generated by the first sentence? They’re in charge here. They’re calling the shots. Instead of carefully mapping out a series of plot points, we need to figure out the answers to those questions and reveal them to the reader in the most tantalizing way possible.

The questions — and their answers —will take us where they want to go, not the other way around.

I’m not saying this method will make us leave plotting behind for good — perish the thought! — but it does give us an opportunity to tackle our writing from a different angle, an experience that will only sharpen our writing skills.

50 One-Sentence Writing Prompts

• The message inside the fortune cookie, which contained only four words, has become my fate.
• I’ve walked by that old house hundreds of times in the past two years, but today was the first time I caught the little girl watching me from the window.
• Just when I thought my life couldn’t get any more complicated, my mother decided to open her new business —a coffee shop — in our living room.
• My little sister thought she’d found the best hiding place in the house…until she realized it wasn’t exactly part of the house.
• Susan hadn’t expected the hot air balloon to be filled with two dozen baby animals, but when your great uncle sends you a modern-day ark, you roll with it.
• When I heard that familiar jingle coming down the street, I assumed it was the ice cream truck; I never knew they had mobile deliveries of those.
• The cruise ship was supposed to be the setting for the perfect vacation, and it was — until that stupid movie star showed up and decided we were all going to be part of her game.
• The first step in surviving middle school is easy — always be prepared — but the second rule? That’s not so simple.
• Confused and disappointed, Marcus tossed aside the photo album his mom gave him for his birthday but when voices started coming out of it, he decided to pay attention.
• “Don’t look at me, I thought we were going for tacos.”
• Late for work, I throw open the front door and find myself face-to-face with a UPS driver standing next to the biggest box I’ve ever seen.
• You know that dream where you’ve gone back in time and you’re reliving the craziest moment of your entire life? — I’m living it.
• The house shook with a violent surge like a hurricane had whipped right through it and, just as suddenly, was still.
• We danced until the sun went down and the floor gave way beneath our feet.
• Professor Soto said the assignment would be easy; he never mentioned we’d have to do it on a roller coaster.
• The old man in the seat next to me on the train speaks loudly on his cell phone; I’m pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to let that information out.
• Joanna’s favorite band is playing a sold-out show tonight but thankfully, she’s figured out a way to get in.
• When Jaden and his best friend took the blank page out of the notebook and drew their map of Ancient Egypt on it, they had no idea of the chain of events they’d set in motion.
• “Pick a number, any number,” she said, her voice a taunt, “And I’ll show you your future self.”
• Constance was planting daffodil bulbs in her flower bed when her trowel struck a most unusual object in the soil.
• “In other news,” Zach leans over and whispers to Marie, “they’re expecting you to go up on stage and resign in about, oh, sixty seconds.”
• Hup two three four, hup two three four —wait, shouldn’t we have been there by now?
• Why did she burst through the door like that if she wasn’t going to tell me the truth?
• Though Evie knew the dog was special, she’d never realized he was magical.
• The return address on the gold envelope is in Greenland — had they really tracked me down from the other side of the world?
• I always thought good historical fiction should transport you to another time and place, but when a man in a waistcoat and a top hat enters my room, I realize the book I’m reading has taken that to a whole new level.
• The checkout line at the grocery store wouldn’t have been my preferred place to “be discovered” — fluorescent lights and all — but who am I to say no to Elizabeth Van Zee?
• Is it even worth showing up here again if nobody’s ever going to come and answer my questions about my grandma?
• I can’t justify the crimes I committed, even though they saved lives.
• “Does this purple shirt make me stand out?” asked the giant one-eyed cat.
• I wish I could tell you that everything went as planned, and no one got hurt, but that would be a lie.
• They found my mom’s ratty ball cap by the edge of the creek around a month after she went missing; I wish they hadn’t.
• She’d eaten a lot of pie during her career as a restaurant critic, but never before had she tasted one quite like this.
• It was no problem catching the thief; he left his fingerprints everywhere.
• I knew Jax was meant to be my best friend, from the moment we met right up until his death.
• My knuckles were white as I gripped the armrests of my seat, hoping desperately that our pilot could get the plane back on course before it was too late.
• Riley Davis always said that I was his whole world, but if that was true, he wouldn’t have destroyed my life.
• I didn’t want to have to hurt him, so I ran away as soon as August got down on one knee.
• At first, I had thought telepathy would be a cool superpower, but that was before I knew of the chaos that lives in every person’s mind.
• “Why do you think you’re here?” Dr. Judy asked when I took a seat in her office.
• I had just finished crocheting the small grey elephant for my nephew and was placing it in a gift bag when it let out a little trumpeting noise.
• Teddy had always known there was something fishy about that new girl, and his suspicions were confirmed as soon as he saw the live salmon in her backpack.
• She was on the hunt for a way to ease her anxiety, and it didn’t take her long to discover that goat yoga was not the answer.
• I had never taken an interest in Randy until we both attended the teen fantasy club at the local library.
• Beauty is everything, something I learned from a very young age.
• I’ve been to at least a hundred weddings since I began my career as a photographer, each one a reminder of the love I will never have.
• My sister had always loved flowers, and I felt bad for only ever giving them to her after she died.
• When people ask what happened to my wife, I say it was a car accident, because no one would believe the real story.
• I had no idea how big a polar bear’s stomach really was until I was inside of one.
• When I began my study on ducks throughout the multiverse, I had no idea it would later solve world hunger.

Need more writing prompt ideas? Check out these posts:

• 50 Compelling Fantasy Writing Prompts and Plot Ideas for an Epic Story
• 60 Creative Journal Prompts for Teenagers

How are you using these one-sentence writing prompts in your own writing practice? Leave a comment and let us know.

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• Writing Prompts

60+ First Line Writing Prompts

Did you know that the opening line of a story is one of the hardest parts of writing a great book? Spark your imagination with these 100+first line writing prompts for all ages! These simple one-liners are the perfect way to get those creative juices flowing and find inspiration for your next big short story or flash fiction . 

We have a mix of first-line writing prompts, ranging from fantasy prompts to non-fictional and realistic events. As well as prompts written in the first and third-person view. The one-line writing prompts in this post are a great way to challenge yourself to write something new. In fact, you can even set yourself a challenge to write at least 300 words every day for each of these cool prompts!

60+ Random First Line Writing Prompts

Here are over 60 one-line opening sentences to help you write your next big story:

•  “Er… I hate this song. Why is it always playing on the radio?”
• Every story has a hero and I’m the hero of this one.
• Thunder rattled outside, as Emily tossed and turned trying to sleep.
• Life wasn’t great at all for Mr Pea. It wasn’t even mildly good. 
• They keep calling me “special”, but what’s so special about me?
• Gavin was always getting the best presents. For once I wish I could be like him.
• Balloons popping, confetti dropping and food flying. That’s how Katie spent her birthday each year. 
• Every night, Peter went out to save the world in his own little way. 
• If dogs could speak, then Spike would be thanking Chris right now.
•  Money is everything. 
•  Was it really Jane’s fault?
•  Every day the same thing keeps happening.
•  For the first time in her life, Janie felt powerful.
•  5 AM and still no phone call.
•  Mom’s always telling me to come straight home. 
•  There’s an old legend that talks about magical fairies living in the forest. 
•  Snow fell, as Clarissa made her way home.
•  After the accident, Nelson never felt safe again.
•  Katie’s living the dream up in the hills of Hollywood.
•  The world seemed like such a big place, until the recent discovery in Antarctica. 
•  “Dear diary, today I learned something about myself…” Katie mumbled to herself. 
•  Blinded by a bright light outside his window, Jake jumped up in horror.
•  Sitting at his computer, Martin noticed something odd about his favourite computer game.
•  Rain trembled down the window, as the car radio played in the background. 
•  “Ready or not, here I come!” shouted Millie in the distance. 
• Once upon a time, there lived a young prince with extraordinary powers. 
•  James had it all, but still, it was not enough.
•  Her red hair glistened in the sun, as she walked across the car park. 
•  Mel was always haunted by her dreams. 
•  “Shhhh! It’s your turn now” whispered Kelly. 
•  The room was a dump, as Jack frantically searched every corner. 
•  This time daddy brought a strange teddy bear home.
•  There’s no cure for a beast like me. 
•  People ran inside their homes, as the alarm rang. 
•  Tracking through the woods, Christian found something strange. 
•  Home. What is home anyway?
•  Legend says that if you breathe in and out ten times in front of a mirror something strange happens.
•  Tick… tock… tick… tock… time was going so slow. 
•  The pain was too much, he had to leave right now.
•  Slipping out of reach, she lost it forever.
•  Money, clothes, food, everything you need for a quick getaway. 
•  In the faraway kingdom of Rainbow Popsicles, everything was sweet, apart from one strange-looking thing. 
•  In the damp streets of Manhattan, there lived a fierce little cat. 
•  Being the ‘odd one out’, the ‘weird’ one wasn’t fun at all.
•  “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” Shelly screamed in her sleep.
•  Some say the number 7 is unlucky, but to me, it wasn’t.
•  Every Saturday, Joe went to his Grandma’s house, but something was very different this week. 
•  Chores, chores and more chores.
•  For once I wish I could get my way.
•  The sun shone brightly on Oakland farm, but not all was bright.
•  “I got one! I got one!” shrieked Sally, jumping up and down in excitement.
•  She was everything I wanted to be and more. 
•   The same words over and over again scattered all over the floor. 
•  The scariest creatures lived deep in the forest where no-one ever went. 
•  “Abra Kadabra, turn these ripped trainers into the fastest trainers in the world!” exclaimed Victor. 
•  The desert-like sun burned his skin as he lay scorching in the sand. 
•  The sound of rustling leaves turned George’s heart to stone. 
•  Sunny Slimeville was just a normal town with a funny name. 
•  The phone did not stop ringing all week.
•  Another tea party, another game. 
•  How’s a country girl like me ever going to survive the big city?
•  Did you know that not all zombies eat brains?

How To Use These One-Line Writing Prompts

There are a number of ways you can use these first-line writing prompts to inspire your story writing , such as:

• Pick one of the opening sentences and free-write for at least 60 seconds. Don’t stop to think, just keep on writing whatever comes to mind! 
• Don’t keep skipping through all of the prompts above. Challenge yourself and give the ‘hard’ or ‘boring’ ones a go! You never know how they’ll inspire you unless you give them a go. 
• Feel free to adapt these first-line writing prompts in any way you like. You can change the character names, point of view and any other details you feel like.
• Explore your imagination. Don’t be afraid to add more characters, add conflict, add dialogue , add anything you like to really have fun with these prompts!

For more inspiration, check out this list of over 150 story starters . Now go and choose an opening sentence from the above list! And if it inspires you to write something cool, let us know in the comments! You can even publish your story online – Just sign-up to create your free account .

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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Elementary Assessments

51 Great Sentence Starters for Creative Writing

Students and writers of all skill levels can use sentence starters for creative writing. 

These fun sentence starters provide the opening lines for a short story thus preventing writer’s block.

What’s more, these sentence starters for creative writing encourage students to stretch their imaginations while building writing skills.

So pencil into your lesson plans this week a few of these exciting creative sentence starters.

Sentence Starters for Creative Writing

1. I was the first person to discover the secret…

2. If I could go anywhere in the world, I think that I’d travel to…

3. It was bright and sunny without a cloud in sight. What a wonderful day for…

4. If I could have a conversation with anyone in the world, I’d like to speak to…

5. After more than a decade of research, I finally uncovered the cause of the problem.

6. Just five more days to go until everything changes. I’ve got a lot of planning to do. First, I’ll…

7. It was the biggest mistake that I ever made…

8. Fall was always my favorite time of the year, until that fateful day when…

9. Jill was the best player to ever compete in the world championship of…

10. I walked through the forest alone that night, hoping to catch a glimpse of…

11. In 100 years, I predict that…

12. Everyone turned their eyes to the spectacle unfolding in front of them…

13. Let me tell you the story of the lost city of…

14. My life changed for the better after finally accepting that I was…

15. No one would believe what I witnessed during those five years inside the…

16. The room was brightly lit and crowded, but I had never felt darker or more alone. Let me tell you why…

17. I always wondered what life would be like as a squirrel. So, I decided to…

18. I should have seen it coming. The signs were obvious.

19. My cat suddenly spoke to me the other day. Here’s what she had to say…

20. During a jog the other day, I stumbled upon a magic wand. I waved the wand around, not realizing that it would…

21. Several days after moving into a new home, I found a hidden door in the…

22. Sam was ready. He spent the last three years preparing for…

23. I woke up drenched in sweat. I instantly knew that something was not quite right. So I got up and went…

24. The other day I ate the worst meal of my life. It was a sandwich made with…

25. I recently won $1000 on a scratch-off lottery ticket. Instead of saving the money, I spent it on…

26. I always knew that this day would come…

27. John looked out the window to see what was causing the commotion. He saw…

28. Yesterday, I received a letter in the mail from the most surprising person…

29. I’ll never forget what my grandfather told me that day in the barn. It changed my life forever…

30. I woke up to find an alien standing in my room…

31. After climbing to the tallest peak in the region, Captain Smith looked around and saw…

32. It was two weeks until Christmas. Rebecca was on her way to see…

33. The footsteps slowly approached. I knew I only had seconds to decide whether to…

34. Five years later and I still can’t forget the sound of…

35. That door was not there before. I’ve lived here 20 years and know every inch of the house…

36. Dr. Bash gave me gills so I could breathe underwater. I soon went in search of my long-lost…

37. “Help,” cried out a weak voice. So, I turned up the radio to drown it out…

38. I froze as soon as I entered the room. Standing directly in front of me was…

39. The last time that I truly felt scared was…

40. I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. To my horror, I saw…

41. She was cold, wet, and on the brink of exhaustion. She just had to get over the last hill…

42. I remember the day that the moon left Earth’s orbit…

43. It was my first day on the job as an assistant zookeeper when the animals got loose. It was also all my fault.

44. I would like to take this moment to thank…

45. The key was heavy and ancient. I was now ready to claim the treasure of…

46. “I’m innocent,” I pleaded to deaf ears as the soldiers dragged me away.

47. Life on the farm was hard but had its joys. I’ll always remember how much I loved…

48. If I ruled the world, I would…

49. I only had seconds to grab the most important thing in my life. I reached across the table and grabbed…

50. Suddenly, I was standing in the middle of a corn field with no idea how I got there…

51. If I could have a superpower, I wish that I could…

Final Thoughts: Sentence Starters for Creative Writing

Now you have a collection of sentence starters for creative writing to use during writer’s workshop .

Additionally, teach students how to respond to sentence starters for creative writing .

55 One-Sentence Writing Prompts to Kickstart Your Student’s Stories

One-sentence writing prompts are such a fun, helpful way to teach students how to write— and instill a love of writing .

I love watching my children think up new stories. You can almost see the wheels turning and thoughts churning!

But sometimes, those gears grind to a halt, and they get stuck. 

That’s where writing prompts, also known as story starters, come in and save the day!

I especially like using one-liner story starter sentences in our homeschool. 

They don’t require any prep on my part, and the kids love them. 

Make Writing Easier with Free One-Sentence Prompts

Get a printable PDF of writing prompts sent straight to your inbox!

How One-Sentence Prompts Make Creative Writing Easier

I think the hardest part for every student is staring at that blank page wondering “ How do I start writing a story? “

Remember how hard that was? 

Writer’s block is something kids deal with, too!

That pressure—creating a story out of thin air—can be a total inspiration-killer. 

There’s something to be said about just getting their creative juices flowing. 

That’s why I love sentence starters for creative writing because that’s exactly what they do.

One-sentence writing prompts are just what they sound like—an opening sentence or idea that’s meant to inspire a story. 

For older students, I even like using first-line writing prompts for essay writing. You just have to start with prompts that are a little more subject specific.

The art o f writing can be a daunting task for anyone, especially for elementary-aged children and middle school students who are just starting their writing journey. 

Sentence prompts relieve some of that pressure by acting as story starters . 

They allow writers to focus their thoughts while providing ideas for their storylines.

Well-written prompts also help with the basics of sentence constructions, which sets the example and encourages better writing over time.

How to Use One-Line Writing Prompts

When students use one-sentence writing prompts as a starting point for their tales, it often helps them think more creatively. 

It can drum up ideas they may not have thought of otherwise. 

To use these story starters for kids, have your students brainstorm ideas for each one-sentence prompt.

Remind them that there is no right or wrong answer (or plot). 

This brainstorming step can be part of their writing assessment or even part of their writing practice.

After all, every good storyline begins with ideation. 

Even having your students do some journaling before starting a prompt could be useful. Great journal entries have, at times, been the source of wonderful essays!

55 Exciting One-Sentence Story starters

Sometimes, one sentence is all it takes to get those creative juices flowing. So here are 55 creative one-line story starters to ease the burden of the dreaded “blank page.”

Once you’ve cycled through the prompts below, check out our other free writing exercises:

• Picture writing prompts
• Fall prompts
• Winter prompts

Encourage your children to use them as opening sentences for their stories , but also let them know it’s okay to change things up as needed!

1. I received a letter from a great uncle I never knew, stating I was heir to his throne in a faraway kingdom.

2. Suddenly, the merry-go-round stopped and all the horses came to life!

3. It all started when I took home the wrong backpack…

4. When I walked into the living room this morning, my mom had a huge grin on her face. 

5. The next day at school, everyone wanted to know what happened last night.

6. My dad told me he started a new job today, and I found a superhero cape in the backseat of his car!

7. This summer, I’m going to visit my grandparents who live in another country.

8. Yesterday, I saw an old man walking down the street not wearing any shoes.

9. The little boy looked at me and said, “The choice is yours. What will you decide?”

10. I thought it was my new puppy making that strange noise, but it was actually…

11. It sounded like a trumpet, and it was coming from outside. 

12. When I woke up this morning, there were hundreds of balloons everywhere!

13. A few days ago, I went out to play soccer, and suddenly, everything changed.

14. Last week, I met a girl named Mary, and we became best friends even though she’s not like most people I know. 

15. I remember the moment like it was yesterday…

16. I received a letter with no return address, and it said something I never expected…

17. I was through the woods with my older brother when we heard a strange growl.

18. My dad silently handed me a piece of a paper that was actually a treasure map leading to…

19. As I gazed up at the stars, I noticed an especially bright one moving slowly across the night sky. 

20. Today, I got a call from someone saying they have important news about my family history.

21. There once lived a king whose name was forgotten with time, but his kingdom…

22. It was the best feeling in the world…

23. I went with my grandpa to milk the cows, but something was different about the barn today. 

24. Today, I saw a strange-colored bug I’ve never seen before…

25. My favorite teddy bear was nowhere to be found, but suddenly…

26. I felt as if I could fly…

27. I’m so excited because tomorrow I’ll finally meet my long lost cousin!

28. I always wondered what it would be like if it actually rained cats and dogs, then it happened.

29. I’ve always been afraid of spiders, but the world was counting on me, so I pushed through. 

30. Suddenly, all the streets turned into rivers!

31. One minute, I was sitting quietly reading a book; the next thing I knew, I was running away from…

32. I can’t believe how fast the time went by when I was…

33. It was happening—I was finally going undercover as a spy on a top-secret mission. 

34. I was just minding my own business when something stopped me in my tracks. 

35. I was eating lunch with friends when I overheard them talking about a mysterious creature called a MarshCrawler.

36. I was playing hide-and-seek with my friend when I saw something I’ve never seen before. 

37. I was doing my homework when I heard a loud crash downstairs.

38. On a camping trip with my family, we discovered a cave filled with the most beautiful treasures you’ve ever seen. 

39. My dad taught me how to use a metal detector, and you’ll never believe what I found. 

40. I had a dream last night where I was flying high above the clouds.

41. I was walking down Main Street when I spotted a man who looked exactly like my grandfather.

42. I was riding home after school when I came upon a group of kids throwing rocks at each other.

43. I was watching TV when I heard a knock at the door.

44. I was having dinner with some friends when I realized I’d left my wallet back at home.

45. Every story has a hero; this time it was me. 

46. They still had a long way to go when it started snowing.

47. When I opened the front door, I saw someone I never expected. 

48. I was given the gift of any wish in the world…

49. From the next room, I heard my little sister laughing hysterically. 

50. I was walking around the neighborhood when I stumbled onto a secret passage.

51. I was taking a nap when I woke up to find myself surrounded by hundreds of people.

52. I tried desperately to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. 

53. The day began normally until I noticed an odd smell coming from the kitchen sink.

54. We were driving along when I saw a huge black cloud heading our way.

55. Every day, the same strange thing happens…

Want to Print These First-Line Writing Prompts? (Free PDF!)

To make these one-sentence story prompts easier to use, we created a free printable of 55 “short-and-sweet” story starters. 

Get them sent to your inbox below!

About The Author

Jordan Mitchell

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Here are Some Really Good Sentence Starters for Creative Writing

So, your head is chock-a-block with ideas, and yet you're struggling to begin your story. No cause for worry, as it happens to most of us. Instead, read this Penlighten post - it has some amazing ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

So, your head is chock-a-block with ideas, and yet you’re struggling to begin your story. No cause for worry, as it happens to most of us. Instead, read this Penlighten post – it has some amazing ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” ― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Master storyteller that he is, Stephen King was gracious enough to admit that a writer tends to dread the moment when he actually begins writing any piece―this can be a bit of a make-or-break kind of a situation. A flying start tends to set the tone of the work, all positive, of course, whereas an unsure start only leads to the doomed path of redrafts.

You may have the entire concept of your story or essay in mind, but when it comes to the actual act of putting pen to paper, the enthusiasm tends to deflate a little. A rather strange phenomenon, this, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that most writers, at some point, have encountered this experience.

To our fellow budding writers, we’re offering a helping hand by providing a few sample starts to get that creativity rolling, followed by a little inspiration from the stalwarts of the business.

Sample Sentence Starters for Fiction

Fiction writing is a boundless category, and each author has his preferred style of beginning a story or a novel. It is obvious that the beginning of a story depends on the overall plot, but there are times when you can use all the inspiration you need to get the start you were looking for. Therefore, we’ve included 5 ideas you can use in your starter, along with 3 examples for each.

Describe the weather

► The warm Californian sunshine hit her face as she stepped outside for the first time as a free woman.

► It had been raining nonstop for the past six days.

► The night sky was exceptionally clear tonight.

Introduce a character

► Daniel hated reunions and all the fake camaraderie.

► Edie Brent’s gruesome murder made it to the front page of the New York Times.

► Alison loved to keep secrets.

Talk about the city

► The streets of London come alive during the Holidays.

► Springtime is the best time to be in New York.

► Rio de Janeiro was where his dreams were.

Add a little suspense

► Walking home in the dead of the night was not new to Carol, but tonight felt different.

► The key clicked in the lock as Alan opened the door to his apartment. Everything seemed to be in place, and yet, something wasn’t right.

► It was 3 a. m. and there was no sign of Tim. He always called to tell if he was getting late. Why hadn’t he called?

And some drama

► How do you react when you’re told that you have a mere hours left to live?

► Prom queen and head cheerleader, Jessica always loved to be the center of attention.

► “Get the hell out of my life!”, screamed Karen at the top of her lungs.

Sentence Starters for Formal Essays

Middle school and high school students have to draft varied writing assignments, including persuasive essays, arguments, and narratives. In case of essays, particularly, the kind of start you make depends entirely on the topic at hand. However, formal essays or presentations need to begin in a certain manner. We’ve listed a few examples here:

► (The topic) has fostered a debate on …

► There is growing support for the notion that …

► The data gathered in the study strongly suggests that …

► The focus of discussion in this paper is …

► The premise of (the topic) seems to be based on …

► Latest research corroborates the view that …

Learn from the Greats

Who doesn’t seek inspiration from the masters of the field? Agreed, we all do. Therefore, we’ve brought you a list of the first sentences of some of the most iconic novels ever written.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. ― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. ― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four

Call me Ishmael. ― J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. ― J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

It was inevitable: the scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love. ― Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the Time of Cholera

These sample sentence starters ought to have helped you get over your dry spell. Getting the right start is crucial when it comes to creative writing, and you need to give it your all to bring it up to standard.

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Fun Sentence Starters for Reluctant Writers

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Fun Sentence Starters

Printable Sentence Strips for Reluctant Writers

Don’t you just love these funny sentence starters? Kids will have a blast with these sentence starters for kids.

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Funny and Creative Sentence Starters for Kids

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Tanya is the owner and writer for the The Natural Homeschool and a homeschooling mom to two children, a son and daughter. She focuses on following their particular learning interests and in building a strong Christian foundation in their hearts. To cater to their high giftedness, she uses eclectic teaching approach, which complement each other and maximize the fun in learning. Tanya has a degree in elementary education, a minor in French and a Master's degree in school administration. Her training in the Montessori Method is in the ages 3-6. She is happily married to her best friend and enjoys sharing her life and experiences in her blog to provie inspiration and bring new ideas.

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Sentence Starter

Unleash your creativity with sentence starter: the ultimate team-building activity.

• Takes 15 minutes
• Easy difficulty
• 1-15 participants

What is Sentence Starter?

The Sentence Starter icebreaker is a versatile and engaging activity that I often utilize in various settings to foster connection, encourage participation, stimulate discussion, and create a comfortable environment for participants. This activity involves crafting responses based on selected sentence starters, which can be tailored to suit specific themes or objectives. By drawing attention to shared experiences and diverse perspectives, the Sentence Starter icebreaker helps establish an inclusive atmosphere that promotes active listening and meaningful conversations.

In my experience, I have found that the Sentence Starter icebreaker effectively breaks down barriers in new groups or settings. Participants eagerly contribute their thoughts, opinions, and stories, forming a foundation for trust and collaboration. This activity also offers an excellent opportunity to introduce relevant topics or goals while allowing participants to reflect on their experiences and aspirations.

When facilitating the Sentence Starter icebreaker, I ensure that the instructions are clear and flexible, accommodating various group sizes and dynamics. With thoughtfully curated sentence starters, this activity can be easily adapted for different contexts, making it a valuable addition to any educator’s or facilitator’s toolkit.

In summary, the Sentence Starter icebreaker is an engaging and adaptable activity that fosters meaningful connections, encourages participation, and stimulates discussions in various settings. Its ability to be customized for diverse themes and objectives makes it a valuable resource for educators and facilitators seeking to create inclusive and collaborative environments.

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Rules for Sentence Starter

• Begin by explaining the purpose and instructions for the activity.
• Specify how responses should be shared (e.g., speaking to the whole group, discussing within small groups, or pairing off with a partner).
• If using physical cards, have participants draw a card from the container. Alternatively, assign or allow participants to pick a sentence starter from a visible list.
• Give participants a moment to think about their response to their sentence starter.
• Each participant shares their completion of the sentence starter with the group or within smaller discussions as determined by the activity setup.
• Depending on the setting and objectives, lead a group discussion based on shared responses.
• Conclude with a brief discussion about the experience, pressing on key takeaways, reflections, or segues into the next agenda item, if applicable.

Materials needed for Sentence Starter

• Pieces of paper or index cards : These will be used to write down the sentence starters for participants to draw from a container.
• Writing instruments : Participants will need these to write their responses on the pieces of paper or index cards.
• A container to mix the sentence starters : This is where you’ll place the sentence starter cards for participants to draw from if you choose not to assign or display them.

Setting up for Sentence Starter

To set up the Sentence Starter icebreaker activity without discussing materials, follow these steps:

Group Size : Determine the number of participants in your group. If the group is larger than 15 people, consider breaking it into smaller groups for a more effective activity.

Select Sentence Starters : Develop a list of sentence starters relevant to the context or objective of the gathering. Ensure these starters are open-ended to encourage diverse responses. Adapt them based on whether the session is in an educational setting, corporate environment, or other contexts.

Preparation : Decide how you will present the sentence starters to participants. You can read them aloud, display them where all participants can see, or assign/allow participants to pick a sentence starter from a visible list.

Introduction : Plan your introduction for the activity, making sure to explain its purpose and instructions clearly. Specify how responses should be shared (e.g., speaking to the whole group, discussing within small groups, or pairing off with a partner).

Facilitation : Prepare to facilitate discussion based on shared responses during the icebreaker activity. Decide whether you will highlight interesting points, common themes, or diverse perspectives depending on your goals for the session.

Wrap-Up : Plan a brief conclusion that emphasizes key takeaways, reflections, or segues into the next agenda item, if applicable.

How to play Sentence Starter

### Introduction

1. Begin by explaining the purpose and instructions for the activity. Make sure to specify how responses should be shared (e.g., speaking to the whole group, discussing within small groups, or pairing off with a partner).

2. Select Sentence Starters Develop a list of sentence starters relevant to the context or objective of the gathering. These starters should be open-ended to encourage diverse responses. For educational settings, these could be related to the subject matter. In corporate environments, sentences might pertain to project goals, company values, or team-building aspects.

3. Distribute or Display Decide whether you will hand out physical cards with the sentence starters, read them aloud, or display them where all participants can see.

4. Introduction Start by explaining the purpose and instructions for the activity. Make sure to specify how responses should be shared (e.g., speaking to the whole group, discussing within small groups, or pairing off with a partner).

5. Choosing Sentences - If using physical cards, have participants draw a card from the container. Alternatively, assign or allow participants to pick a sentence starter from a visible list.

6. Sharing Responses - Give participants a moment to think about their response to their sentence starter. - Share responses. Each participant shares their completion of the sentence starter with the group or within smaller discussions as determined by the activity setup.

7. Facilitate Discussion Depending on the setting and objectives, lead a group discussion based on shared responses. Highlight interesting points, common themes, or diverse perspectives, again depending on your goals with the activity.

8. Wrap-Up Conclude with a brief discussion about the experience, pressing on key takeaways, reflections, or segues into the next agenda item, if applicable.

Example Sentence Starters:

• “One thing I love about my job is…”
• “The most interesting place I’ve visited is…”
• “A personal goal I’m working toward is…”
• “If I could have any superpower, it would be…”
• “One challenge I’ve recently faced is…”

Variations:

• Theme-Based : Tailor the sentence starters to adhere to specific themes, projects, or goals.
• Silent Responses : Have participants write their responses, collecting them to either display or read aloud anonymously.
• Follow-Up Questions : After the initial share, encourage asking questions or sharing comments to deepen discussions.
• Pair and Share : Rather than speaking to the group, participants can pair off, making the activity better suited for introverted participants or smaller settings.
• Create an inclusive and respectful atmosphere where participants feel safe to share.
• Be flexible with responses; the goal is to stimulate conversation, not to judge or grade answers.
• Encourage participation but don’t force it; some might be more comfortable listening, and that should be respected.

Benefits of Sentence Starter

• Encourages Active Listening : By requiring participants to share their responses, the Sentence Starter icebreaker promotes active listening skills as individuals engage with each other’s stories and experiences.
• Promotes Self-Disclosure : This activity encourages participants to open up and share personal information, which can help build trust and foster a sense of camaraderie among group members.
• Enhances Communication Skills : As participants practice expressing their thoughts and ideas in response to sentence starters, they develop and improve their verbal communication skills.
• Reveals Shared Interests and Experiences : The Sentence Starter icebreaker can uncover commonalities among group members, providing opportunities for further connection and collaboration.
• Creates a Positive Atmosphere : Beginning an event or gathering with this activity helps establish a friendly and enjoyable environment, making it easier for participants to feel comfortable and engaged throughout the session.
• Supports Diversity and Inclusion : The open-ended nature of sentence starters allows for diverse responses that reflect individual backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, encouraging respect and appreciation for differences within the group.
• Improves Group Dynamics : By allowing participants to become better acquainted with one another, the Sentence Starter icebreaker contributes to improved teamwork, collaboration, and overall group dynamics.
• Reduces Anxiety and Tension : Providing a structured yet open-ended activity helps ease participants into social interactions, reducing anxiety and tension in new or unfamiliar settings.

Skills built with Sentence Starter

• Active Listening: I improve my ability to focus on what others are saying, understand their perspectives, and respond thoughtfully.
• Interpersonal Communication: I enhance my skills in expressing myself clearly and effectively while also demonstrating empathy and respect for others’ ideas.
• Open-Mindedness: I practice considering diverse viewpoints and accepting that there can be multiple valid responses to the same prompt, fostering a more inclusive environment.
• Self-Awareness: I reflect on my own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, which helps me better understand myself and my place within a group or community.
• Emotional Intelligence: I develop my ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions, both my own and those of others, promoting positive relationships and teamwork.
• Critical Thinking: I engage in reflective reasoning and analysis as I consider various responses, which aids in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Adaptability: I learn to respond flexibly and creatively to different prompts and situations, preparing me for unexpected challenges or opportunities.
• Public Speaking: I practice articulating my thoughts and ideas confidently in front of others, which can help improve my performance in various professional and social settings.
• Networking: I create connections with new people by engaging in meaningful conversations and discovering shared interests or experiences.
• Confidence: I build self-assurance as I contribute to group discussions, express my opinions, and share personal stories or goals with others.

Why I like Sentence Starter

I appreciate the Sentence Starter icebreaker activity for its versatility and effectiveness in fostering connections among participants in various settings. Here are a few reasons why I like this icebreaker:

• Inclusivity : The open-ended sentence starters allow for diverse responses, ensuring that everyone can participate regardless of their background or personality type. This inclusiveness encourages a sense of belonging and helps create an engaging atmosphere.
• Customizability : With the ability to tailor sentence starters to specific themes, topics, or goals, this icebreaker can be easily adapted for different educational, corporate, or social contexts. This flexibility makes it a valuable tool for facilitators looking to create meaningful discussions and connections.
• Encouraging Participation : By giving participants a structure to build their responses around, the Sentence Starter icebreaker reduces the pressure of coming up with an entirely original contribution. This support can help less confident or extroverted individuals feel more comfortable participating in group discussions.
• Building Connections : The activity encourages shared experiences and storytelling, allowing participants to discover commonalities and appreciate diverse perspectives. These connections are crucial for fostering teamwork, collaboration, and a positive group dynamic.
• Versatility Across Group Sizes : Whether used in small groups or large gatherings, the Sentence Starter icebreaker can be adapted to suit various contexts. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for facilitators looking for a reliable and adaptable icebreaker activity.

Overall, I find the Sentence Starter icebreaker to be an invaluable tool due to its inclusiveness, customizability, support of participation, connection-building potential, and versatility across group sizes. These qualities make it an effective and engaging way to initiate discussions and encourage collaboration in various settings.

Tips for making Sentence Starter more inclusive

• Create a Safe Space: Before starting the activity, emphasize that all responses should be met with respect and acceptance. Encourage participants to listen attentively and respond supportively.
• Use Gender-Neutral Language: Ensure your sentence starters are inclusive by using gender-neutral language whenever possible. This helps create an environment where everyone feels acknowledged and included.
• Avoid Stereotypes: Refrain from using stereotypical or biased phrases in your sentence starters, as this can unintentionally alienate certain participants. Instead, focus on creating open-ended questions that encourage individual expression.
• Consider Accessibility: If some participants have visual impairments or other disabilities, make accommodations to ensure they can fully engage in the activity. For example, you could provide large-print sentence starter cards or offer audio descriptions of each prompt.
• Provide Nonverbal Communication Options: Encourage nonverbal communication during the activity by allowing participants to use gestures, facial expressions, or visual aids (e.g., illustrations) to express their thoughts and ideas. This can help create an inclusive environment for those who may struggle with verbal communication.
• Be Aware of Cultural Differences: Be sensitive to cultural differences among participants and avoid using phrases or concepts that might be unfamiliar or offensive to certain groups. Strive to create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone’s background and experiences are valued.
• Acknowledge Individuality: Recognize the unique qualities each participant brings to the group by acknowledging individual contributions and differences during the discussion. This helps build a more inclusive environment where all participants feel appreciated and respected.

Reflection questions for Sentence Starter

• What was your experience like completing the sentence starter activity? Understanding participants’ comfort levels with this type of activity can help facilitators tailor future icebreakers to better suit the group’s needs and preferences.
• Did you discover anything interesting or surprising about a fellow participant? This question encourages reflection on the connections made during the activity, fostering a sense of community among participants.
• How do you feel the sentence starter activity contributed to today’s discussion or objective? Gauging the effectiveness of an icebreaker in achieving desired outcomes can help facilitators make informed decisions when selecting and implementing activities in the future.
• Was there a specific response shared by another participant that resonated with you? If so, why? Encouraging participants to identify and reflect on connections they made with others’ responses can lead to deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives within the group.
• Do you feel more comfortable participating in discussions after completing the sentence starter activity? Why or why not? Understanding how individual participants perceive their own engagement can help facilitators create a more inclusive environment that encourages active participation from all members.

Want customized activity suggestions? Try our Team Building Expert GPT !

About the author

Founder & Chief Icebreaker

I started Icebreaker Spot because I truly believe that strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. I wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to find and share icebreakers and team building activities, empowering them to build trust, foster collaboration, and ultimately, achieve greatness together.

Table of Contents

• Materials needed
• How to play
• Why I like this activity
• Tips for inclusivity
• Reflection questions

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Sentence Starters: The Secret to Starting Sentences Right

Just as we follow recipes to make delicious meals, you can use sentence starters as ingredients to cook up your next article.

Sentence starters are words or phrases that set up for the rest of the sentence—whether it’s to introduce ideas, provide a transition between thoughts, or emphasize a point. So when you hit a creative roadblock, they can be a great way to help you brainstorm and add variety to your content.

We’ve included our favorite sentence starters in this article, sorted by introductions, topic paragraphs and conclusions. If you’re looking for some writing inspiration, just grab a starter to get the words flowing again.

How can sentence starters help me?

When you’re stuck for ideas, sometimes all you need is the right prompt to get you back up and running. This is where sentence starters come in handy—they provide a base to help you generate ideas and organize your thought process.

Content-wise, sentence starters can clarify your points as well as smooth out the structure and flow. Firstly, they provide signposts for a change of topic; secondly, they add variation to your sentences to keep your writing from sounding monotonous.

As award-winning writer Gary Provost famously illustrated:

“This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals—sounds that say listen to this, it is important.”

Do you hear how much of a difference sentence starters can make?

While it takes years of practice to write as brilliantly as Gary Provost, sentence starters are a great way to bring life to your writing.

If you need a little help getting started, Hypotenuse AI can give you an immediate boost. Simply input your topic and keywords, and let our AI generate content that you can use to kickstart your next article.

When should I use a sentence starter?

A sentence starter can be inserted anywhere in a paragraph. Used correctly, they make your writing more readable for your audience.

However, if used inappropriately or too often, they may disrupt the flow instead. There are situations when you should be especially careful with your use of sentence starters. For example:

• In business writing, emails or other professional communications: This is because they can become unnecessary fillers and come across as unprofessional. In most cases, getting straight to the point will suffice.
• In personal writing: Liberal use of sentence starters is also not recommended for personal letters, especially if you are close to the person you are writing to. They can make your writing sound too formal or stilted.
• For padding your paragraphs: Sentence starters should not be used as a way to restate information that has already been mentioned. Always aim for clear writing without redundant details. Creating an outline will help you achieve that better.

There isn’t a hard and fast rule for when you should or shouldn’t use a sentence starter, so use your better judgement when reading through your text to decide whether it sounds off.

Now that we’ve covered the why and when, on to the good stuff. Below, you’ll find examples of sentence starters for different sections of your content.

Sentence starters for Introductions

A strong opening is crucial to create interest in your article from the get-go. Start off with a sentence that introduces the topic and invokes your reader’s curiosity. You can get a reader thinking by asking a question or by stating a provocative opinion.

If all that comes to mind is the dreaded "in this article", we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of our favorite sentence starters that you can use:

• In case you're wondering, here's what I'm using…
• One thing I've been loving lately is…
• I've been using a new product and I love it…
• I'm going to show you how to…
• What do you think about...
• How would you feel if...
• Have you ever wondered...
• I'm not sure if you're familiar with...
• The thing I love most about...
• There's a lot of debate about...
• One thing is for sure...

Aside from grabbing a reader’s attention, the introduction is your chance to set the tone and entice them to keep reading. Remember to connect with your audience and establish how your post can offer them valuable insights or knowledge.

Sentence starters for topic paragraphs

Once your reader is hooked, it’s time to reel them in.

A good sentence starter can help to convey the essence of a paragraph. Quotes and questions are a great way to introduce a new idea, engage your audience, and make them reflect on their own perspectives. You can also make use of examples. To illustrate this point:

“A funny, profound, inspiring quote is a quick way to spice up material.” – Sam Horn

On average, online users read about 20% of the text on a page. Therefore, it is crucial to produce content that adds value to your reader’s time. To achieve this, you can back up your statements with statistics to lend credibility to your argument.

By using a variety of sentence starters, you can produce clear paragraphs that keep readers invested in your article.

1. Sentence starters for emphasis

There's no need to be shy when starting your sentences. In fact, a dramatic opener will emphasize your point and demand your reader's attention. Here are a few examples of sentence starters that can help drive your point home:

• "I can't stress enough how important this is."
• "If you only remember one thing...”
• "Let me be clear: this is critical."
• "This is the most important part of the process."
• "I cannot overemphasize the importance of this."

2. Sentence starters for making a point

What if a single sentence isn’t enough to convey an idea in its entirety? In such cases, you would first want to clearly state the point you’re making, then build upon it for your reader’s understanding.

So, when you want to introduce a new idea, you might use a sentence starter like: "What if," "What happened is…" or "Here's the thing:".

Subsequently, to elaborate on what you've already said, good starters to use include "Anyway," "So," or "In addition,".

These starters will help you to keep your writing on track and create a flow between related ideas.

3. Sentence starters for adding examples and information

For example:

• “For instance,”
• “An example of this would be...”
• “Let's take a look at an example:”
• “To give you an idea,”
• “To illustrate this point,”
• “I'll give you an example:”

4. Sentence starters for comparing and contrasting

When comparing and contrasting people, items, or topics, using a sentence starter can help to organize your points. Some common starters for this purpose are:

• "While"
• "Although" / "Even though"
• “Likewise,”
• “In contrast,”
• "On the one hand," …. “On the other hand,”

These can illustrate the similarities and differences in a more clear and persuasive manner, and also add nuance to your writing.

5. Sentence starters to explain cause and effect

Using the cause and effect structure is perfect for highlighting the logical connection between two points. It can help you explain the reasons behind a decision or highlight the consequences of an event. Let’s take a look at an example:

"By increasing the price of gas, the government is punishing the middle class."

The sentence highlights the cause (increased gas prices) and the effect (punishing the middle class). It's a clear, concise way to lay out a compelling point.

When you're trying to identify the cause and effect of a situation, these sentence starters can help you to develop your argument:

• “As a result,”
• “Consequently,”
• “The reason for this is…”
• “Therefore”

6. Sentence starters for transitions between paragraphs

In order to provide a seamless reading experience for your audience, it's important to use sentence starters at the beginning of each paragraph. This will help to introduce new ideas or add more detail to your points while maintaining a logical flow.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• “For example,”
• “To illustrate,”
• “Accordingly,”

Ways to spice up your content

Use lists and headers to visually break up your writing. Images, videos, or GIFs can serve the same purpose and make your content more engaging. This way, you also avoid overwhelming your readers with a never-ending barrage of words.

Another way is to incorporate quotations or statistics from experts. Only 10-20% of readers make it to the end, so be sure to add flavor to your posts!

Sentence starters for conclusions

In court, the closing argument is the final plea to the jury before deliberation begins.

This can be a pivotal moment: it provides one last opportunity to sway the verdict—to reiterate the key arguments and evidence presented over the course of the trial. It is therefore important that lawyers know their audience so as to appeal to reason or emotion.

Similarly, once you’ve written your post, be sure to wrap it up with a strong conclusion to leave a lasting impression on your readers. If you’re not sure how to start, here are a few sentence starters to help you deliver your concluding statement:

• “In conclusion,”
• “To sum up,”
• “To finish up,”
• “In closing,”
• “In the end,”
• “In the final analysis,”
• “In closing thoughts,”
• “In the end, what matters most is…”
• “All in all,”
• “In the end, it all comes down to…”

To sum up (see what I did there?)

If you're feeling stuck, sentence starters can be effective writing prompts to set your creativity in motion.

However, as with anything, be sure to use them sparingly and only when they genuinely help your writing. Overuse can make your argument seem weaker, rather than stronger.

Which sentence starter will you try first? - So, the next time you find yourself struggling to commence a sentence or paragraph, consider giving Hypotenuse AI a try.

Join 100,000+ marketers writing with Hypotenuse AI