Question

Caro is revising her narrative and focusing on her opening paragraph.

Captain Bernard braced himself against the ship's sturdy mast. There was no turning back. The storm chasing the pirate's ship through the narrow channel was far more deadly than the dozens of imperial ships waiting for him on the open sea. He advised his small and plucky crew to sail “dead ahead," hoping it wouldn't actually come to that.

How can Caro improve this paragraph to better establish the context of her story?

A.
She could add details that tell who the story’s characters are.
B.
She could add a detail or two about when the story takes place.
C.
She should add more details explaining the what and why of the story.
D.
She should not change anything. The paragraph already tells the who, what, when, where, and why of the story.

Answer 1

Caro can enhance her story's opening by adding character background, setting details regarding the time period, and clarifying the characters' goals and the story's stakes. The correct option is C. She should add more details explaining the what and why of the story.

Step-by-step explanation:

To improve the opening paragraph and better establish the context of her story, Caro could consider implementing a few strategies. Firstly, Caro could add details that help to identify who the story's characters are, potentially offering some background or introducing their motivations within the narrative.

This would provide a stronger connection for the readers with the story's participants. Secondly, more specifics about when the story takes place could be included, which might involve historical references or descriptions of the technological level of the world, enriching the reader's understanding of the setting.

Lastly, Caro could explain the what and why of the story in more detail; clarifying the characters' goals, the reasons behind their current predicaments, and the stakes involved would greatly enhance the emotional engagement of the audience.