What are some common elements in the first lines of short stories?

Well, consider 'She found the letter on a sunny Tuesday morning, but it felt like a cold winter day.' This first line is interesting because it juxtaposes the pleasant day with the cold feeling that the letter brings. It makes the reader curious about what's in the letter and why it has such an effect.

One great first line could be 'The last man on earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets up a mysterious and intriguing scenario. It makes you wonder who could be knocking if he's the last man, creating a sense of suspense right from the start.

Consider 'All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' by Leo Tolstoy in 'Anna Karenina'. This line is profound as it sets up the exploration of family dynamics. It makes you think about the nature of happiness and unhappiness within families. Then there's 'I am an invisible man.' from Ralph Ellison's 'Invisible Man'. This simple yet powerful statement makes the reader eager to discover why the narrator is invisible and what that means in the context of the story.

A story might begin with 'He woke up in a room that was not his own, with no memory of how he got there.' This sets up a mystery. The following parts of the story could involve the character trying to piece together what happened. He might find strange objects in the room or hear noises outside that add to the sense of unease and mystery.

For example, 'She opened the box, not knowing it would change her life forever. Inside was a simple note, but the words written on it were like a key unlocking a hidden world. The note said 'Follow the path where the sun never sets.' So, she set out on a journey. Along the way, she met strange characters, some helpful, some menacing. But she was determined to find the end of this path, and with each step, she discovered more about herself and the world around her.'

One common element is often a shared interest. For example, if they both love books, they might meet at a library or a book club. Another is a moment of realization, like suddenly seeing the other person in a new light. It could be during a deep conversation or when they are doing something together.

One common theme is self - discovery. In a 20 - lines short story, the main character often goes through an experience that makes them learn something about themselves. For example, a character might face a fear and realize they are stronger than they thought.

They are often attention - grabbing. A good first line makes the reader want to keep reading. For instance, if it starts with a strange or mysterious statement.

Some famous first lines immediately draw readers in. For example, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. This line sets an unusual and slightly off - putting atmosphere right from the start, making the reader curious about what kind of world this is where the clocks strike thirteen. It gives a sense of a world that is different from our own, perhaps dystopian.

Some famous first lines in short stories are very captivating. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado', the first line 'The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could' immediately sets a tone of vengeance and mystery. It makes the reader wonder what these 'injuries' are and what the narrator is planning.