The Thumping Three’s

Introduction Sentence Strategy

by Joy Boyd

The Thumping Three’s

It was a year ago. It was night. It was a year ago. It was night. It was cold and windy.It was cold and windy.

-David Hill (2010)-David Hill (2010)

The Thumping Three’s

What is this introduction strategy?

Three simple, short sentences all starting with the same word.

The Thumping Three’s

•The strategy is rhythmic because of the odd number sentence balance.

The Thumping Three’s

•This is a dramatic strategy even though the sentences each by themselves may not be that dramatic.

The Thumping Three’s

•Together the sentences are powerful.

The Thumping Three’s

•The sentences should not start with the word “the”. Uncommon words add to the dramatic effect.

The Thumping Three’s

STUDENT SENTENCES:

The Thumping Three’s

It was consuming. It was unbearable. It was pure, writhing silence.

The Thumping Three’s

Nothing moved. Nothing made a sound. Nothing but silence.

The Thumping Three’s

I was sharp. I was yellow. I was a Papermate No. 2 pencil.

The Thumping Three’s

It was still. It was scary. It was coming.

The Thumping Three’s

I was in the dark. I was alone. I felt like I was being watched.

The Thumping Three’s

It was bright. It was hot. It was summer and I was dead.

The Thumping Three’s

It was ten years ago. It was early morning. It was storming.

The Thumping Three’s

There was darkness. There was five people. There was the taste of blood.

The Thumping Three’s

I was a hamburger. I was closer to the mouth. I was in.

The Thumping Three’s

I think you should know. I think I am what you know. I think I’m hollow and still moving like a shadow.

The Thumping Three’s

It was consuming. It was unbearable. It was pure, piercing, writhing silence.

The Thumping Three’s

It is alive. It is big. It killed me slowly.

The Thumping Three’s

It was last night. It was dark. It was wild.

The Thumping Three’s

It was happening. It was there. It was me.

The Thumping Three’s

It ran. It stopped. It had a heart attack.

The Thumping Three’s

It’s there. It’s gone. It’s there again.

The Thumping Three’s

He never knew me. He never knew my fears. He never knew he killed me fiercely.

The Thumping Three’s

No way in. No way out. No where to go.

The Thumping Three’s

I was running. I was sweating. I was slowing down.

The Thumping Three’s

It was a month ago. It was late night. It was when he killed me.

The Thumping Three’s

There was silence. There was no moon out. There was nothing or nobody outside.

The Thumping Three’s

I’m the monster. I’m the one who did this. I’m the one to blame.

The Thumping Three’s

You don’t know what I am. You don’t know how to develop me. You won’t even see me.

The Thumping Three’s

Never look back. Never ask questions of people. Never trust them.

The Thumping Three’s

Nobody is here. Nobody cares. Nobody is listening.

The Thumping Three’s

It was the day they prayed. It was the day they cried. It was the day I died.

The Thumping Three’s

Nobody was weirder. Nobody was crazier. Nobody was my Grandpa.

The Thumping Three’s

Nobody loves me. Nobody cares. Nobody would know if I was gone.

The Thumping Three’s

She was little. She was happy. She hated everyone.

The Thumping Three’s

It was lonely. It was calm. It did not know I was there.

The Thumping Three’s

She was weird. She was happy. She was dumb.

The Thumping Three’s

You were exhausted. You were hungry. You were burning up.

The Thumping Three’s

She’s not breathing. She’s dead. She’s my sister.

The Thumping Three’s

It was hot. It was sunny. It was summer.

The Thumping Three’s

That was crazy. That was creepy. That was my sister.

The Thumping Three’s

It was dark. It was cold. It was creepy.

The Thumping Three’s

It was cold. It was storming. It was the perfect day.

The Thumping Three’s

No windows. No door. No way out.