4 lines short stories

One could be: 'I found a key. It was old and rusty. I put it in a lock. A secret door opened. A world of magic awaited.'

A very effective short story opening line is 'There was a man who was born old and grew younger every day.' This type of opening is so intriguing because it defies our normal understanding of the aging process. It makes the reader eager to find out more about this man, how such a thing is possible, and what his story will be. It creates a sense of mystery right from the start, which is a key element in a good short story opening.

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.

A greedy man. Wanted all the gold. Lost his friends. Learned greed brings loneliness. The moral here is that excessive greed can cost us our relationships.

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.

In 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, it starts with 'The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full - summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green.' This seemingly idyllic description is a contrast to the dark and disturbing events that unfold later in the story. It gives a false sense of normalcy at the beginning.

One great opening line is 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. It immediately sets an off - kilter mood, making the reader wonder about this world where the clocks seem to be acting strangely.

Well, 'Call me Ishmael.' from 'Moby - Dick' is a very well - known opening line. It's so simple yet it has a certain power. It makes the narrator seem approachable, as if he's inviting the reader to join him on his journey. And it gives the story an air of authenticity from the start, as if it's a real account being told by someone we can trust.

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.